Norris Trophy Odds (2026-27)

The following post features Norris Trophy Odds (2026-27).

With the NHL season approaching, sportsbooks have released the James Norris Memorial Trophy odds, providing a look at the top contenders for the award recognizing the best all-around defenseman.

Read: NHL Vezina Trophy Odds

Related: NHL Art Ross Trophy Odds

As the NHL season progresses, bettors and fans can see which elite defensemen are likely to drive offense, anchor special teams, and stand out as the league’s most effective players this season.

So, how is the Norris Trophy race shaping up for 2026-27? Here’s what you need to know.

James Norris Trophy Odds (2026-27)

Below is a table displaying the odds for the James Norris Memorial Trophy. All odds were sourced on September 19, 2026. Click here for the very latest odds (via OddsChecker).

Preseason Player Spotlights

Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche)

The two-time Norris winner and perennial finalist remains the gold standard among NHL defensemen. In 2025-26 he posted 20 goals and 59 assists for 79 points in 75 games with a plus-32 rating while averaging nearly 25 minutes a night. Makar continues to impact both ends of the ice at an elite level for a consistently strong Avalanche team and enters 2026-27 as the clear favorite to reclaim the award.

Quinn Hughes (Minnesota Wild)

The 2023-24 Norris winner adapted seamlessly after a midseason trade from Vancouver. He finished 2025-26 with 7 goals and 69 assists for 76 points in 74 games (53 of those points coming in 48 games with Minnesota) while logging heavy minutes. Hughes’ elite skating, playmaking, and ability to drive possession make him a constant threat to finish at the top of the Norris race again.

Zach Werenski (Columbus Blue Jackets)

The reigning Norris Trophy winner enters the new season as the defending champion. Werenski delivered 22 goals and 59 assists for 81 points in 75 games in 2025-26, leading all defensemen in shots and ranking near the top in even-strength production and ice time. The Blue Jackets’ franchise cornerstone continues to shoulder enormous responsibility and has proven he can win the award.

Rasmus Dahlin (Buffalo Sabres)

Buffalo’s captain and first-time Norris finalist in 2025-26 took another step forward with a career-high 19 goals and 55 assists for 74 points in 77 games, plus a strong plus-18 rating. Dahlin’s combination of size, skating, and two-way impact helped end the Sabres’ long playoff drought, and he remains one of the most complete young defensemen in the league.

Lane Hutson (Montreal Canadiens)

The 2024-25 Calder Trophy winner continued his rapid ascent in his second full season. Hutson recorded 12 goals and 66 assists for 78 points in all 82 games with a sparkling plus-36 rating. The undersized but highly skilled puck-mover already ranks among the NHL’s top offensive defensemen and is positioned to challenge for Norris consideration regularly.

Evan Bouchard (Edmonton Oilers)

Bouchard led all NHL defensemen in scoring during 2025-26 with a career-high 21 goals and 74 assists for 95 points in 82 games, plus a plus-25 rating. His power-play quarterbacking and offensive production from the blue line are unmatched, and he continues to push for deeper recognition in the Norris conversation despite playing on a high-powered Oilers team.

Norris Trophy Winner (2025-26)

Zach Werenski (Columbus Blue Jackets) won the 2025-26 James Norris Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s top defenseman.

It was the first Norris of his career after finishing as the runner-up the previous season. Werenski received 113 first-place votes and 1,589 points from the Professional Hockey Writers Association, finishing ahead of Cale Makar (1,191 points) and Rasmus Dahlin (657 points).

In 75 games he recorded 22 goals and 59 assists for 81 points, ranking second among defensemen in scoring. He led all blueliners in shots (260), tied for first in even-strength goals (18), ranked second in even-strength points (59) and average ice time (26:37), and tied for third in goals. Werenski became the first player in Blue Jackets history to win the Norris and the sixth American-born defenseman to claim the award.

James Norris Memorial Trophy

The James Norris Memorial Trophy is presented annually to the National Hockey League defenseman who demonstrates the greatest all-around ability in the position. The winner is determined by a poll taken at the conclusion of the regular season, submitted by members of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association (PHWA). This award is historically dominated by blueliners who lead in offensive production, typically requiring them to rank among the league’s scoring leaders while also maintaining high average Time On Ice (TOI) and being featured heavily on both the power play and penalty kill. The selection process weighs this elite offensive output alongside strong defensive metrics, plus/minus ratings, and the overall success of the player’s team.

James Norris Trophy Winners (by Year)

Click here for the James Norris Trophy Winner by year.