The NHL announced the three finalists on Thursday for the James Norris Memorial Trophy, awarded annually “to the defenseman voted the best at his position.”
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar, and Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski are up for the award.
Dahlin recorded 74 points (19g, 55a) in 77 games, which ranked sixth among all defenders and was a career high. The 27-year-old captain led the Sabres in ice time per game (24:11) and scoring from the backend. He is a first-time Norris finalist and would be the first Sabres player to win the award. He was also named a finalist for the Masterton Trophy on Monday.
Makar has been a finalist for six consecutive seasons, winning the trophy twice (2022, 2025), and is looking to become only the 10th player to win the award at least three times. The 27-year-old was third among defensemen in points with 79 (20g, 59a) in 75 games for the Avalanche. He averaged 24:51 of ice time per game, which ranked first on Colorado and eighth-best in the NHL.
Werenski was second in scoring among blueliners, behind only Evan Bouchard (95), with 81 points (22g, 59a) in 75 games for the Blue Jackets. He finished tied for third in goals by a defenseman and led all defensemen in shots on goal (260). Werenski was also second in the NHL in ice time per game (26:37). He was a first-time finalist last season and is looking to become the first Blue Jackets player to win the award.
The NHL’s announcement of finalists will continue on Friday, May 8, when they unveil the three players up for the Hart Memorial Trophy, awarded to the league MVP.
Here’s the full press release from the NHL:
Dahlin, Makar, Werenski voted Norris Trophy finalists
Sabres, Avalanche, Blue Jackets defensemen up for award given to best player at position
NEW YORK — Rasmus Dahlin of the Buffalo Sabres, Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche and Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets are the three finalists for the 2025-26 James Norris Memorial Trophy, awarded “to the defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position,” the National Hockey League announced today.
Members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association submitted ballots for the Norris Trophy at the conclusion of the regular season, with the top three vote-getters designated as finalists.
Following are the finalists, in alphabetical order:
Rasmus Dahlin, Buffalo Sabres
Dahlin helped spark a Sabres revival that included the team’s first playoff berth since 2010-11, its first division title since 2009-10 and a 30-point improvement over 2024-25 to rise from 26th to fourth in the overall League standings. The Sabres captain notched a career-high 19-55—74, the third-highest points total by a Buffalo defenseman in franchise history and the most in 36 years (Phil Housley, 21-60—81 in 1989-90). His 52 even-strength points set a franchise record for defensemen. The puck was in the offensive zone for 45.5% of the time Dahlin was on the ice at even strength according to NHL EDGE tracking data, ranking in the 94th percentile among NHL skaters, and in the defensive zone for just 36.6% of the time (also the 94th percentile). Dahlin, who earlier this week was voted a finalist for the Masterton Trophy, is the second Sabres defenseman in franchise history to garner a Norris finalist berth, joining Jim Schoenfeld (3rd in 1979-80). Three defensemen from his native Sweden have captured the trophy: Nicklas Lidstrom (7x), Erik Karlsson (3x) and Victor Hedman.
Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche
Makar ranked third among NHL defensemen in scoring with 20-59—79 in 75 games, becoming the first defenseman to post three consecutive 20-goal seasons since Phil Housley and Al MacInnis 34 years ago, to help the Avalanche capture the Presidents’ Trophy. He was on the ice for 96 of his team’s goals at even strength and for just 56 even-strength goals against, the third-best differential (+40) in the League behind teammates Sam Malinski (+44) and Josh Manson (+41). He also was a regular contributor to the Avalanche penalty-killing unit (84.6%) that ranked no. 1 in the NHL (146:44 SH TOI). Makar is a Norris Trophy finalist for the sixth consecutive season (1st in 2021-22 and 2024-25; 2nd in 2020-21 and 3rd in 2022-23 and 2023-24). He is just the second defenseman in NHL history to make the Norris shortlist six times in his first seven NHL seasons, joining Bobby Orr (7x). He is aiming to become the first repeat winner since Nicklas Lidstrom posted a three-peat for the Detroit Red Wings from 2005-06 through 2007-08.
Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets
Werenski led or was near the top of several categories for NHL defensemen in 2025-26, including goals (t-3rd, 22), even-strength goals (t-1st, 18), assists (t-4th, 59), points (2nd, 81), even-strength points (2nd, 59), shots (1st, 260) and average time on ice (2nd, 26:37). He tied the single-season franchise record for assists, matching his total from last year and Artemi Panarin in 2018-19, and became the 10th blueliner in NHL history to lead his club in scoring in consecutive seasons. Werenski recorded points in a career-high nine straight games from Jan. 22-Feb. 28 (2-11—13), the longest streak in franchise history by a defenseman, to key a 20-3-4 run during which Columbus leapfrogged 11 Eastern Conference rivals into the thick of the playoff race. The franchise’s all-time leader in goals, assists and points for a defenseman is a Norris Trophy finalist for the second consecutive year, finishing 2nd to Makar in 2024-25. He is looking to join Chris Chelios, Brian Leetch and Adam Fox and Quinn Hughes as the fifth U.S.-born player to capture the Norris Trophy.
History
The James Norris Memorial Trophy was presented in 1953 by the four children of the late James Norris in memory of the former owner-president of the Detroit Red Wings.
