NHL Announces Norris Trophy Finalists, Including One Unexpected Nominee

The top three defencemen in the NHL from this past season were named on Thursday, for a chance at winning the historic Norris Trophy.

Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche, Rasmus Dahlin of the Buffalo Sabres, and Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets all remain in the running for the award.

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Players Nominated for the Norris Trophy

Dahlin is receiving his first Norris Trophy nomination, helping the Sabres end their 14-year playoff drought while winning the Atlantic Division. The Sabres captain notched a career high in production this season, recording 74 points—including 19 goals—in 77 games, while averaging more than 24 minutes of ice time. Despite a leave of absence in mid-November, Dahlin returned and dominated the NHL. Over the past several seasons, the Sabres have relied heavily on him, and his game reached another level this year. Dahlin was also nominated for the Bill Masterton Trophy, awarded to the player who best exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey on and off the ice.

Makar, on the other hand, is nominated for the award for the sixth time in his career, having won the Norris three times over that span. He has established himself as the best defenceman of his generation, earning a nomination in every season of his NHL career except one. With this latest nod, Makar joins elite company alongside Bobby Orr with six straight nominations. The Calgary native produced 79 points, including 20 goals, to help the Avalanche win the Presidents’ Trophy. He has also been a force in the postseason, helping the Avs to six straight wins to begin their Stanley Cup run.

Zach Werenski is the final nomination for the Norris Trophy, having been put in this position for the second consecutive season. Werenski carried the Blue Jackets throughout the second half of the season, nearly leading them to a playoff berth. Werenski led his time in points, as a defenceman, and finished second among all NHL defenders behind Evan Bouchard, with 81 goals, including 22 goals in 75 contests. The Michigan native completed all this, with the Jackets not having a forward within the top 50 of NHL scoring, with Kirill Marchenko finishing 57th.

The Norris Trophy is voted on by members of the PHWA, with the NHL Awards being set for June 25th, in Las Vegas.

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