Todd Cordell
For me it is Erik Karlsson.
The Ottawa Senators have been handed their lunch this season without Karlsson on the ice while they've been quite good with him out there.
He's played at least 28 minutes in 19 straight games, has played 30+ 11 times in that span and is averaging over a point per game on the year.
He's been the best defenseman in the NHL this season and, if the Sens somehow squeeze into the playoffs, he should be a legitimate candidate for the Hart.
Jason Lewis I think there are three to four major names that could get a lot of consideration but only two that should be taken seriously as the best ALL-AROUND defenseman in the league this year.
The four: Erik Karlsson, Aaron Ekblad, Drew Doughty, and Justin Faulk.
As impressive as Karlsson is offensively, and as important as Aaron Ekblad is to the Panthers, I would not take either of them. Karlsson, while he may be the best offensive defenseman in the league by far, he is not as good all around, and he does not provide as much to his team in other situations outside of offense. Karlsson is a mixed bag defensively. Of those four players he gives up the highest amount of scoring chances against per 60, while having the second highest scoring chances for. He is a glass cannon so to speak.
Ekblad, while impressive, does not play enough to be considered for it. He logs just 20:57 on average, which is much lower than the other three.
The other thing is that both Karlsson and Ekblad have much easier zone starts. Both have ZSOs in the double digit positive range (17.4 AE, 11.7 EK)
Doughty and Faulk are the two players that play the most evenly balanced minutes, while providing the most even balance of high level offense and defensive contributions. Both are positive possession players, positive scoring chance players, and positive shot suppression players. Both play almost a minute and a half to two minutes more down a man versus Ekblad and Karlsson
The Kings get about 28 minutes out of Doughty a night, the Canes get just under 25 minutes a night. Faulk plays with Ron Hainsey, while Doughty plays with Brayden McNabb and Jake Muzzin from time to time.
There is give and take in both, and you probably wouldn't be wrong to pick either Justin Faulk or Drew Doughty. I would say Justin Faulk probably deserves it by the slightest of margins given his level of production, outstanding defensive contributions, and altogether strong play on a middling team (Although Carolina is much better than their record implies). He is on a small market team that might miss the playoffs however, which could hurt his chances. Especially since many media members feel Doughty is "Due" his Norris from strong years prior. Either would be an excellent choice.
James Tanner Erik Karlsson. The best D in the NHL by such a wide margin that it isn't even fair. He's top five in scoring and that in itself is incredible.
The idea that he isn't good at defense? Perhaps the most ridiculous narrative in the history of the game.
Karlsson for the Norris and maybe even the Hart if he can get Ottawa into the Playoffs.
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