SportsLine.com staff

The James Norris Trophy is awarded annually to "the defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-around ability in the position" as selected by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. Voting was done between the end of the regular season and the beginning of the playoffs.

Other awards | All-time Norris winners

The winner

Nicklas Lidstrom, Red Wings: A three-time runner-up for the award, Lidstrom finally got over the thump this year with another outstanding season. He contributed offense and solidified a blueline that helped make the Red Wings one of the stingiest teams on defense without an elite goaltender. Lidstrom scored 71 points, second among defenseman and had an average of 28 minutes, 26 seconds of ice time, the second-best total in the league.

Other finalists
	Ray Bourque , Avalanche: Bourque earned his 15th nomination and his first since 1999. He has won five times. Bourque, at age 40, scored seven goals and 59 points in 80 games and was a plus-25. He also played an average of 26 minutes, five seconds, ninth best in the league.
	Scott Stevens, Devils: A Norris finalist for the third time, Stevens posted the third-best plus-minus rating in the league at +40. He scored 31 points including nine goals in 81 games and led New Jersey in ice with 26:36 per game.

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