Is Vince Dunn a Norris Trophy dark horse candidate?

Vince Dunn, the 25-year-old defenseman for the Seattle Kraken, may not be a household name yet, but he has quietly established himself as one of the NHL's most promising young blue-liners. While he may not be a favorite to win the Norris Trophy in 2023, Dunn has the potential to emerge as a dark horse candidate for the award.

Vince Dunn could be a Norris Trophy Dark Horse, here's why

Vince Dunn began his career with the St. Louis Blues, where he played three seasons and helped the team win the Stanley Cup in 2019. Dunn was selected in the expansion draft by the Kraken in the offseason leading up to the 2020-21 season. He has become an important member of Kraken's defensive corps since joining the team.

Vince Dunn's ability to move the puck and contribute offensively is one of his greatest assets. He's already shown flashes of brilliance in this area, as evidenced by his nearly a point-per-game average on the Kraken this season (56 points in 68 games).

Vince Dunn is also a strong defender on his own end. He has shown a willingness to battle in the corners and in front of the net, and he has a knack for making timely plays to disrupt opposing offenses. He has been an effective penalty killer throughout his career, and his speed and mobility make him a valuable asset in transition.

The Kraken's status as an expansion team could also work in Vince Dunn's favor. While expectations for expansion teams are generally low, the Kraken have a strong defensive core that could help Dunn stand out. If he can continue to put up solid offensive numbers while also playing a strong defensive game, he has an outside chance to win the Norris Trophy.

Of course, there are many other talented defensemen around the league who will also be in contention for the Norris Trophy. Names like Victor Hedman, Cale Makar, and Adam Fox will likely be at the top of the list.

However, because of Dunn’s outbreak of a season, leading the Kraken in points as a defenseman, and having one of the best defensive point shares in the league, Dunn deserves to be recognized.

Vince Dunn has had a dynamite season so far with the Seattle Kraken. While he may not be on everyone's radar yet, his skillset and potential make him a player who could emerge as a surprise candidate for the Norris Trophy.

If he can continue to develop and make an impact in all areas of the game as Kraken makes a push for an NHL playoff spot, Dunn could establish himself as one of the league's top young defensemen and a Norris Trophy dark horse. .