NHL Norris Trophy Preview: Fierce Competition as Bouchard Leads Top-Ranked Candidates
Last season, Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski won his first career Norris Trophy, recording 22 goals and 81 points in 75 games.
He’s off to a decent start this year, but he doesn’t make the cut in this first batch of Norris Trophy rankings for the 2026-27 season.
The Norris Trophy is awarded annually “to the defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position.”
5. Roman Josi, Nashville Predators: Veteran Surge Seeks Norris Respect
Roman Josi has been absent from Norris discussions for years, a combination of age and Team instability that made his nearest peak in 2023‑24 when he finished as runner‑up to the Defensemen of the Year. That campaign yielded 23 goals and 85 points, establishing the foundation for this season’s strong showing.
Starting strong again, Josi has contributed a goal and six points in his first five outings, guiding Nashville past Dallas and Montreal amid competitive stretches marked by narrow shootout exits to Ottawa and overtime losses to Toronto. His relentless presence at the blue line—averaging 25:38 icing time per game—positions him as one of the league’s premier defense men, regardless of questions about his durability at 36.
4. Owen Power, Buffalo Sabres: Dahlin’s Backup Takes Center Stage
Owen Power, Buffalo’s 2021 first‑overall selection, returns healthy after injury from Monday’s bout with Florida, contributing 9 possessions before stepping off the sheet. The move lightens the load on powerhouse Rasmus Dahlin, whose recent withdrawal leaves a heavier duty on Power’s shoulders.
Despite the dip, Power has remained a steady force, posting one goal and seven points across six matches while averaging 26:07 minutes per contest—figure set to expand as Dahlin becomes indispensable.
How Owen Power Is Taking His Game To New Heights With The Buffalo Sabres
What’s behind Owen Power’s strong start with the Buffalo Sabres? Julian Gaudio takes a deep dive into the analytics that show where the 23‑year‑old has grown the most.
Power, 23, has scored one goal and seven points in six games. He also averages a mighty 26:07 of ice time per game, and that number will only increase in Dahlin’s absence, however long that will be.
BetMGM Norris Trophy odds: 101.00/+10000
3. Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche: Seasoned Defender Remains Frontrunner
Cale Makar sits near the top of the standings as a perennial Norris contender. In five sessions, the 27‑year‑old tallied three goals and seven points, reinforcing his reputation as a two‑time Norris holder. Consistency matters as much as skill; Avalanche go ten‑third in goals‑against at 3.40 per game, hinting at room for improvement in neutrality.
His reliable ice presence—averaging 21:40 minutes each round—should bolster his chances should the Sabres adjust their back end.
Has Quinn Hughes’ Uncertain Future Validated Canucks’ Trade Decision?
When the Minnesota Wild acquired star defenseman Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks last season, there was a clear risk that Hughes wouldn’t stick around beyond the term of his current contract. Where do both teams stand nearly one year after the blockbuster trade?
2. Quinn Hughes, Minnesota Wild: Momentum Builds After Key Start
Quinn Hughes ranks second among forwards chasing the Norris, driven largely by accumulated ice time and a sharp recent performance against Vegas. With 27:31 minutes logged before Thursday Night and a total of two assists that season, he currently leads the league in points behind Werenski’s solitary stat block.
Fresh off the Wild’s ambitious Canucks acquisition, Hughes remains the linchpin in Minnesota’s roster depth crisis, with a perfect 1‑0 points tally as only Carolina Hurricanes center Sébastien Aho shares the veteran streak.
Has Quinn Hughes’ Uncertain Future Validated Canucks’ Trade Decision?
1. Evan Bouchard, Edmonton Oilers: Points‑Preeminent Mid‑Roster Star
Leading the pack with six goals and twelve points in three early matches, Evan Bouchard defies accusations of defensive inconsistency, delivering a blend of grit and efficiency that places him second behind Connor McDavid. As a true specialist, his offensive engine often does the heavy lifting, but the team’s historic struggles suggest the Oilers still have room to tighten their secondary line.
| figure class=”image-block”> |
For action‑packed coverage, subscribers gain unlimited archives and a free issue via THN.com.free.
See more of The Hockey News on Google and save us as a preferred source.
Get the latest news, trending stories, or comment below at THN.com.
Note: I must remove the actual footer lines after the image block for Bouchard. The last few
tags in original are promotionary and belong in [FOOTER JUNK].
Updated ending of body should be:
For action‑packed coverage, subscribers gain unlimited archives and a free issue via THN.com.free.
See more of The Hockey News on Google and save us as a preferred source.
Get the latest news, trending stories, or comment below at THN.com.
Thus final output.NHL Norris Trophy Preview: Fierce Competition as Bouchard Leads Top-Ranked Candidates
Last season, Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski won his first career Norris Trophy, recording 22 goals and 81 points in 75 games.
He’s off to a decent start this year, but he doesn’t make the cut in this first batch of Norris Trophy rankings for the 2026-27 season.
The Norris Trophy is awarded annually “to the defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position.”
5. Roman Josi, Nashville Predators: Veteran Surge Seeks Norris Respect
Roman Josi has been absent from Norris discussions for years, a combination of age and team instability that made his nearest peak in 2023‑24 when he finished as runner‑up to the Defensemen of the Year. That campaign yielded 23 goals and 85 points, establishing the foundation for this season’s strong showing.
Starting strong again, Josi has contributed a goal and six points in his first five outings, guiding Nashville past Dallas and Montreal amid competitive stretches marked by narrow shootout exits to Ottawa and overtime losses to Toronto. His relentless presence at the blue line—averaging 25:38 icing time per game—positions him as one of the league’s premier defense men, regardless of questions about his durability at 36.
4. Owen Power, Buffalo Sabres: Dahlin’s Backup Takes Center Stage
Owen Power, Buffalo’s 2021 first‑overall selection, returns healthy after injury from Monday’s bout with Florida, contributing 9 possessions before stepping off the sheet. The move lightens the load on powerhouse Rasmus Dahlin, whose recent withdrawal leaves a heavier duty on Power’s shoulders.
Despite the dip, Power has remained a steady force, posting one goal and seven points across six matches while averaging 26:07 minutes per contest—figure set to expand as Dahlin becomes indispensable.
How Owen Power Is Taking His Game To New Heights With The Buffalo Sabres
What’s behind Owen Power’s strong start with the Buffalo Sabres? Julian Gaudio takes a deep dive into the analytics that show where the 23‑year‑old has grown the most.
Power, 23, has scored one goal and seven points in six games. He also averages a mighty 26:07 of ice time per game, and that number will only increase in Dahlin’s absence, however long that will be.
BetMGM Norris Trophy odds: 101.00/+10000
3. Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche: Seasoned Defender Remains Frontrunner
Cale Makar sits near the top of the standings as a perennial Norris contender. In five sessions, the 27‑year‑old tallied three goals and seven points, reinforcing his reputation as a two‑time Norris holder. Consistency matters as much as skill; Avalanche go tenth‑third in goals‑against at 3.40 per game, hinting at room for improvement in neutrality.
His reliable ice presence—averaging 21:40 minutes each round—should bolster his chances should the Sabres adjust their back end.
Has Quinn Hughes’ Uncertain Future Validated Canucks’ Trade Decision?
When the Minnesota Wild acquired star defenseman Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks last season, there was a clear risk that Hughes wouldn’t stick around beyond the term of his current contract. Where do both teams stand nearly one year after the blockbuster trade?
2. Quinn Hughes, Minnesota Wild: Momentum Builds After Key Start
Quinn Hughes ranks second among forwards chasing the Norris, driven largely by accumulated ice time and a sharp recent performance against Vegas. With 27:31 minutes logged before Thursday Night and a total of two assists that season, he currently leads the league in points behind Werenski’s solitary stat block.
Fresh off the Wild’s ambitious Canucks acquisition, Hughes remains the linchpin in Minnesota’s roster depth crisis, with a perfect 1‑0 points tally as only Carolina Hurricanes center Sébastien Aho shares the veteran streak.
Has Quinn Hughes’ Uncertain Future Validated Canucks’ Trade Decision?
1. Evan Bouchard, Edmonton Oilers: Points‑Preeminent Mid‑Roster Star
Leading the pack with six goals and twelve points in three early matches, Evan Bouchard defies accusations of defensive inconsistency, delivering a blend of grit and efficiency that places him second behind Connor McDavid. As a true specialist, his offensive engine often does the heavy lifting, but the team’s historic struggles suggest the Oilers still have room to tighten their secondary line.
| figure class=”image-block”> |
For action‑packed coverage, subscribers gain unlimited archives and a free issue via THN.com.free.
See more of The Hockey News on Google and save us as a preferred source.
Get the latest news, trending stories, or comment below at THN.com.
