The Norris Trophy is given "to the defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position." The finalists for the 2015-16 season are Brent Burns of the San Jose Sharks, Drew Doughty of the Los Angeles Kings and Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators.

The 2016 NHL Awards will take place at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on June 22, and NHL.com staff members will be providing their selections for the winners.

Amalie Benjamin, Staff Writer

Erik Karlsson: He was tied for fourth in the NHL with 82 points, the same number scored by Sharks center Joe Thornton, and became the first defenseman to top 80 points in a season since the Detroit Red Wings' Nicklas Lidstrom in 2005-06. There always are valid arguments against Karlsson's defensive play, but he will win the Norris Trophy for the second straight season.

Brian Compton, Deputy Managing Editor

Erik Karlsson: Karlsson is asked to do more than any defenseman in the NHL, yet he continues to excel. The two-time Norris winner was a point- per-game player (16 goals, 66 assists) while averaging 28:58 of ice time. Karlsson nearly had an even rating (minus-2) despite playing for the Senators, who were 26th in the League in goals against.

Nicholas J. Cotsonika, Columnist

Erik Karlsson: It's hard to ignore a point-per-game player on defense. No defenseman has had more than 82 points in a season since Brian Leetch of the New York Rangers in 1995-96.

Tom Gulitti, Staff Writer

Drew Doughty: A runner-up last year to Karlsson, Doughty is due to win his first Norris. He led NHL defensemen with a 58.89 shot attempts percentage at 5-on-5, averaged 28:01 of ice time per game, which ranked third in the NHL, and had 14 goals and 51 points.

Adam Kimelman, Deputy Managing Editor

Drew Doughty: Doughty was tied for ninth among defensemen with 51 points and had a plus-24 rating while playing against the toughest competition the Kings faced. He didn't produce the offensive numbers of Karlsson and Burns but had the best all-around season for a defenseman in the League.

Mike G. Morreale, Staff Writer

Drew Doughty: Doughty drove puck possession with a League-leading 58.89 SAT percentage; the Kings took 537 more shots than they allowed with Doughty on the ice at 5-on-5.

Shawn P. Roarke, Director of Editorial

Drew Doughty: Doughty has flown slightly under the radar in the Norris debate for far too long. That should end here. Only Karlsson and Ryan Suter of the Minnesota Wild played more than the 28:01 Doughty averaged per game during the regular season. Yet, he had a plus-24 rating, which was fifth-best among NHL defensemen, and 58.89 SAT percentage, the best at his position. Doughty is also an above-average contributor on offense.

Dan Rosen, Senior Writer

Drew Doughty: He had nine goals and 24 points on the power play -- a massive improvement from his one goal and 17 points with the man-advantage last season -- and led NHL defensemen with a 58.89 SAT percentage. All this on top of the fact that he always is matched against the opposition's best forward line.

Video: Norris Trophy prediction