An early look at the Norris Trophy race

• Pietrangelo is a hybrid defenseman similar to retired Nicklas Lidstrom
• Reigning winner Karlsson continues to be an offensive force
• Old stand-bys Chara and Weber are joined by Markov%2C Letang and Shattenkirk

When it comes to Norris Trophy consideration, St. Louis Blues defenseman Alex Pietrangelo might be almost too smooth for his own good.

"He is so efficient that his game sometimes goes unnoticed," Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said.

Last season's Norris winner, Erik Karlsson, is a dynamic skater, and runner-up Shea Weber is a physical force with a memorable slap shot. Former winner Zdeno Chara, at 6-9 with an enormous wing span, is like a giant eagle on skates. Pietrangelo is the hybrid, similar, at least in approach, to retired Nicklas Lidstrom.

"Petro is a two-way defenseman for us," Armstrong said. "He needs to supply offense for us and play in every key situation for us. ... He just has to continue doing what he's doing. I think he's past the growth process."

With three goals and seven assists for the powerful Blues, Pietrangelo has had perhaps the best start among the preseason favorites. But the race might have a wider pool of candidates than had been expected coming into the season:

Where other Norris contenders stand early in the season:

-Karlsson (Ottawa Senators): Still the league's most electrifying defenseman. He had 50 shots and five goals in 11 games; no other defenseman had 30 shots.

-Andrei Markov (Montreal Canadiens): Clearly the big surprise among the top candidates, because he has been unable to stay healthy since 2008-09, totaling 65 games in the past three seasons. He's healthy now and is a primary reason Montreal is better than expected.

-Chara (Boston Bruins): The Bruins are an exceptional team, and Chara is the team's primary difference-maker. He is a monstrous force as a one-on-one defender.

-Kris Letang (Pittsburgh Penguins): After a slow start, Letang has brought his game together to the point of having strong numbers (three goals, nine points and a plus 4 rating). As the No. 1 defenseman of Pittsburgh's high-powered offense, Letang might have the best chance of staying up with Karlsson.

-Weber (Nashville Predators): No longer playing with longtime defensive partner Ryan Suter, Weber didn't get his first point until his 10th game. But don't forget that he didn't get his first goal last season until Game 10 and he finished up with 19.

-Kevin Shattenkirk (Blues): The long shot in this field, Shattenkirk has posted a goal, nine assists and a plus 3 rating in 10 games. He has been as impressive as Pietrangelo on most nights. Coach Ken Hitchcock said Shattenkirk and Pietrangelo both had improved in the category of "competitive calmness."

"Not panicking under pressure, not panicking at the offensive blue line," Hitchcock explains. "No forcing the issue offensively. ... Both of these guys are getting to that level where the game is starting to slow down in their head. They're able to make better plays under pressure."