For starters, it requires an understanding of the class itself, what makes someone the very best, & how to discern elite players from one another.
Below is a ranking, in order, of who we think deserves the Norris Trophy this season.
Let's get started:
1) Cale Makar (COL) - colloquially known as the Connor McDavid of defenseman, Makar does everything for the Avalanche. Currently with 24g-51a-75p, Makar also has spectacular underlying statistics. See below:
2) Jaccob Slavin (CAR) - Slavin is the best defensive defenseman in the NHL, there is no real debate there. He is almost impossible to get pucks through, and he is the key to Carolina's stern defensive numbers. He produces adequately offensively to boot, but the most impressive part of his game is his penalty differential; it isn't easy matching up against the very best in the world & being highly effective without taking penalties. Also, phenomenal underlyings.
3) Charlie McAvoy (BOS) - C-Mac is having a low-key amazing season. While his offensive output doesn't jump off the page, his defensive game has been outstanding. Boston has one of the best D's in the league, and the pairing of McAvoy-Lindholm has been great since the latter's acquisition; and even before McAvoy was killing it.
Honorable Mentions: Roman Josi (NSH), Mackenzie Weegar (FLA), Victor Hedman (TBL)
|
LIVE
APRIL 21, 2026
| ||||
| G | A | PTS | ||
| David Pastrnak | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Josh Anderson | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Viktor Arvidsson | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Morgan Geekie | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Brandon Hagel | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Lane Hutson | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Pavel Zacha | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Jonathan Aspirot | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Cole Caufield | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Erik Cernak | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Phillip Danault | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Jake Evans | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Jake Guentzel | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Sean Kuraly | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Charlie McAvoy | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Casey Mittelstadt | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Nick Suzuki | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Zach Benson | - | - | - | |
| Zachary Bolduc | - | - | - | |
| Bowen Byram | - | - | - | |
| COMPLETE STATS | ||||
| 2025-2026 NHL STANDINGS | ||||||
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Sabres | 82 | 50 | 23 | 9 | 109 | |
| Lightning | 82 | 50 | 26 | 6 | 106 | |
| Canadiens | 82 | 48 | 24 | 10 | 106 | |
| Bruins | 82 | 45 | 27 | 10 | 100 | |
| Senators | 82 | 44 | 27 | 11 | 99 | |
| Red Wings | 82 | 41 | 31 | 10 | 92 | |
| Panthers | 82 | 40 | 38 | 4 | 84 | |
| Maple Leafs | 82 | 32 | 36 | 14 | 78 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Hurricanes | 82 | 53 | 22 | 7 | 113 | |
| Penguins | 82 | 41 | 25 | 16 | 98 | |
| Flyers | 82 | 43 | 27 | 12 | 98 | |
| Capitals | 82 | 43 | 30 | 9 | 95 | |
| Blue Jackets | 82 | 40 | 30 | 12 | 92 | |
| Islanders | 82 | 43 | 34 | 5 | 91 | |
| Devils | 82 | 42 | 37 | 3 | 87 | |
| Rangers | 82 | 34 | 39 | 9 | 77 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Avalanche | 82 | 55 | 16 | 11 | 121 | |
| Stars | 82 | 50 | 20 | 12 | 112 | |
| Wild | 82 | 46 | 24 | 12 | 104 | |
| Mammoth | 82 | 43 | 33 | 6 | 92 | |
| Blues | 82 | 37 | 33 | 12 | 86 | |
| Predators | 82 | 38 | 34 | 10 | 86 | |
| Jets | 82 | 35 | 35 | 12 | 82 | |
| Blackhawks | 82 | 29 | 39 | 14 | 72 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Golden Knights | 82 | 39 | 26 | 17 | 95 | |
| Oilers | 82 | 41 | 30 | 11 | 93 | |
| Ducks | 82 | 43 | 33 | 6 | 92 | |
| Kings | 82 | 35 | 27 | 20 | 90 | |
| Sharks | 82 | 39 | 35 | 8 | 86 | |
| Kraken | 82 | 34 | 37 | 11 | 79 | |
| Flames | 82 | 34 | 39 | 9 | 77 | |
| Canucks | 82 | 25 | 49 | 8 | 58 | |
COMPLETE STANDINGS | ||||||