The race for the league’s best defenceman is down to three.
The Buffalo Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin, Colorado Avalanche’s Cale Makar and Columbus Blue Jackets’ Zach Werenski were named finalists for the Norris Trophy on Thursday.
Dahlin is receiving his first Norris nod after helping lead the Sabres to end a 14-year playoff drought by winning the Atlantic Division. The captain notched a career-high 74 points in 77 games (19 goals, 55 assists) while playing 24:11 per game. Earlier this month, he was named a finalist for the Bill Masterton Trophy, given to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to ice hockey.
Makar, meanwhile, is a six-time finalist and three-time winner of the Norris, having established himself as one of the league’s greatest defencemen during his career and has gone just one season in his career without the nod. Makar’s 20 goals and 79 points in 75 games helped the Avalanche to a Presidents’ Trophy. The Calgary native makes history as just the second defenceman to make the Norris shortlist six consecutive times in his first seven career seasons, joining Bobby Orr.
Werenski is a Norris finalist for the second consecutive year, nearly leading his Blue Jackets to a post-season berth. The Olympic gold medallist had 22 goals and 81 points in 75 games, good for second amongst defencemen in the regular season. He was runner-up to Makar for the award in the 2024-25 season.
Members of the PHWA voted on the award at the end of the regular season.
