Erik Karlsson has been announced as a finalist for the 2016 Norris Trophy, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reports.

Karlsson has been announced as a finalist for the 2016 Norris Trophy, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reports.

Analysis:

Karlsson will face stiff competition for the award, with Drew Doughty and Brent Burns joining him as finalists. First, let's start with the underwhelming for the blueliner -- a mediocre minus-2 rating. As for the rest, the 25-year-old Swede was downright spectacular. The 2008 first-round pick totaled 82 points, finding twine 16 times and amassing 66 apples. Karlsson was also special on the power play, notching 26 total points (25 helpers) in 4:39 of average ice time during the man advantage. The superstar etched his name in history, becoming the fifth defenseman to reach 60 assists in a single season, and he also recorded the most points ever by a Swedish blueliner, surpassing the decorated Nicklas Lidstrom. Karlsson did everything he could this year to take home his third Norris Trophy, and he'll find out if it was enough when the winner is announced June 22.