Dahlin, Makar, Werenski Named Finalists for 2026 Norris Trophy

The National Hockey League continued its awards rollout on Thursday, announcing the three elite blueliners vying for the title of the league's best defenseman. Rasmus Dahlin, Cale Makar, and Zach Werenski have been named the finalists for the 2025-26 James Norris Memorial Trophy.

The award is presented annually "to the defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position." The finalists were determined by a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA) conducted at the conclusion of the regular season.

Dahlin anchored a Buffalo blue line that was instrumental in securing the team's historic playoff berth and their current second-round run. Logging massive minutes in all situations, Dahlin combined his elite vision and physical edge to dominate both ends of the ice, cementing himself as the undisputed heartbeat of the Sabres' resurgence.

A perennial favorite for this award, Makar delivered yet another breathtaking offensive season in Denver. The former Norris winner continued to operate as the ultimate modern defenseman, driving the Avalanche's transition game with his unparalleled skating ability. Makar's dynamic edge-work and power-play orchestration kept him near the top of the NHL's scoring leaderboard among defensemen all year, proving he remains the gold standard for offensive blueliners.

Werenski put together a spectacular individual campaign for Columbus, logging incredibly heavy minutes while serving as the primary offensive engine from the back end. Despite the Blue Jackets facing overall team struggles, Werenski’s production and two-way metrics stood out significantly to voters. His ability to consistently generate high-danger scoring chances while handling the toughest defensive matchups night after night earned him his place among the league's elite.