NHL Norris Trophy Watch: Makar, Hughes And Werenski Leading Field Of Top D-Men

With the NHL’s halfway point of the regular season arriving, the debates over the league’s individual awards are coming into clearer view. And when it comes to the Norris Trophy as the top defenseman in the game, there are some familiar faces and a new potential Norris-winner in the mix.

Here are the top-five candidates for this year’s Norris Trophy:

1. Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche

Makar already has one Norris win under his belt after his 2021-22 season, and the 26-year-old is shaping up to be this year’s Norris winner. He has 36 assists and 49 points in 44 games, putting him on pace to produce 67 assists and 91 points in 82 games, which would set a new career-high in points in his sixth NHL season.

Makar is still approaching his prime, so there’s room left for him to grow his game. But, with the exception of Quinn Hughes, few NHL blueliners can compare with Makar. The Avalanche are one of the league’s most dangerous teams in no small part due to Makar’s contributions. For that reason, it won’t surprise anyone if Makar wins the second Norris in a career that likely will include more than two Norris Trophies.

2. Quinn Hughes, Vancouver Canucks

Like Makar, Hughes has one Norris to his credit, winning the award last season. And Hughes has continued to thrive this year, putting up 38 assists and 47 points in 38 games. Hughes is currently on pace to amass 74 assists and 92 points, essentially equal to the 75 assists and 92 points he generated last season.

Hughes’ value to the Canucks can’t be overstated. Without him, Vancouver might not be in a playoff position right now. But strictly on his talent as a D-man, Hughes has few peers. It could prove to be a two-person race between him and Makar, and with a split vote, Hughes may have what it takes to earn another best-blueliner award.

3. Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets

Werenski has had struggles staying healthy in recent years, but this season, the 27-year-old has produced 35 assists and 48 points through 43 games for a plucky Blue Jackets squad. He’s almost assuredly going to top his career-high of 46 assists that he set last season, and that will be welcome news for Columbus.

Werenski is currently earning $9.583 million for three more seasons after 2024-25, and the Blue Jackets will happily pay that price if he continues to raise his game. The Jackets need all the help they can get on offense, and Werenski’s all-around contributions make him a true top D-man in the league.

4. Josh Morrissey, Winnipeg Jets

The 29-year-old Morrissey has yet to win an individual award, but his offensive prowess (which has him with 34 assists and 39 points in 44 games) – putting him on pace to match or improve on the career-best 60-assist mark he set in 2022-23 – is putting him in the conversation for this season’s Norris.

Morrissey’s vision for the game and his ability to find the open teammate is one of the things that sets him apart from his peers, and he’s currently in his prime. The Jets are one of the deeper teams in the league, but in terms of high-end veterans, Morrissey stands out from Winnipeg’s other blueliners, as well as the grand majority of the rest of the NHL’s defensemen.

5. Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning

At 34 years old, Hedman is the senior member on this list. He’s also won a Norris back in 2017-18. With 25 assists and 31 points in 38 games, he’s not the offensive producer that Hughes and Makar have been this season, but Hedman’s all-around game is what has him in this season’s Norris debate.

Hedman can impose his will on Lightning games, and while he’s on the back nine of his Hockey-Hall-of-Fame career, a strong second half could vault him up the ranks in the Norris voting. He doesn’t have to prove anything to anyone, but another Norris win would underscore his impact on the Lightning and the sport itself.

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