NHL Norris Trophy Odds 2024-25: Who Is NHL’s Best Defensemen?

The Four Nations Face-Off break is officially behind us, which means we are already into February, which means the Norris Trophy race is really going to heat up.

A trio of players has availed itself as the sure-fire finalists for the award given annually the NHL’s best defenseman. Although there is a clear pecking order for which player will win the award based on the odds, any of the three can rise up and take the award with about 30 games left on each player’s schedule – especially since the favorite flipped over the Four Nations Face-Off break.

The Norris race is going to be one we keep close tabs on for the rest of the season. So let’s look at where the Norris Trophy odds stand as the season gets set to restart from the Four Nations break.

NHL Norris Trophy Odds

2024-25 Norris Trophy Favorite

Cale Makar, Avalanche (-130)

Congrats if you bought low on Makar when he was +210 before the Four Nations break, because the stalwart Avalanche defenseman – who won the award when they won the Stanley Cup in 2022 – is suddenly the clear favorite to claim the Norris.

Makar is having a fabulous year, since he leads all defensemen in goals (22) and is tied for 13th in the league in points (63) as of Feb. 21. Couple that with Quinn Hughes’ injury, plus Makar’s superb performance in the Four Nations Face-Off, and he is the well-deserved frontrunner.

It appears the Makar-Hughes debate will be a major storyline the rest of the regular season. Though, if  Makar and the Avalanche take off the rest of the season, he could end up as the runaway favorite. 

2025 Norris Trophy Contenders

Quinn Hughes, Canucks (+160)

Hughes is the reigning Norris Trophy winner but has missed eight games and the Four Nations Face-Off due to injury, which is why he has fallen to the second-shortest odds on this list. He still leads the Canucks in points (59) by a large margin and is on pace for 90-plus points for the second straight season – he had 92 a season ago.

In a year pockmarked by inconsistency in the Pacific Northwest, Hughes has been the model by also leading the Canucks in average time on ice (25:18) and with his plus-15 rating. He would make an intriguing Hart Trophy candidate if the Canucks could cement themselves as a bona fide playoff team – though he would first have to overtake Makar as the Norris frontrunner. 

At these odds, it is worth taking a chance on just in case Hughes runs away with the award. But the Canucks also may be inclined to trade Brock Boeser – after just dealing J.T. Miller to the Rangers – which would threaten their ability to reach the postseason.

Zach Werenski, Blue Jackets (+550)

Those of us who follow the NHL closely have known Werenski’s potential for years, since he was drafted eighth overall in 2015. But playing for the two-steps-forward-one-step-back Blue Jackets has wreaked havoc on Werenski’s career, since he has only skated in 29 playoff games in his previous eight seasons.

But Werenski is having a breakout season under first-year coach Dean Evason by surpassing his career high in points (59) and leading Columbus in points and average time on ice (26:53). 

Werenski’s best Norris finish was eighth, in the COVID-shortened 2019-20 season, and he is a lock to be a finalist this year, even though his odds show his candidacy is fading. The main question is if he can generate enough buzz to surpass two of the best and most well-known defensemen to win the Norris this season.

Who Will Win the 2025 Norris Trophy?

It is never a bad bet to wager on Makar, especially since you can pencil him in as a finalist before the season even starts. Hughes will also undoubtedly be in the mix, even though he has only been a finalist for the award once in his previous six seasons and there has not been a repeat Norris winner since Nicklas Lidstrom in 2007-08.

Assuming he is healthy, we are going to give the award to Hughes ahead of Makar and Werenski. The Canucks should be able to stay in the West playoff field, since they are the best team, talent-wise, among those vying for the final wild-card spot.

Plus, goalie Thatcher Demko’s injury-plagued season will lend itself to Hughes’ candidacy as both a Norris and Hart candidate, particularly given the turmoil Vancouver’s locker room has had to persevere through. The Canucks traded forward J.T. Miller after his reported months-long feud with Elias Pettersson then acquired defenseman Marcus Pettersson from the Penguins.

Makar is still favored, and Werenski could still get back in contention for the award with a big second half. But right now, the award voting looks like this:

1. Quinn Hughes
2. Cale Makar
3. Zach Werenski

Like Hughes, Werenski leads his team in points and leads all NHL skaters in average time on ice per game (26:48). Plus, he has been on a tear by posting 47 points in CBJ’s past 38 games, helping the Blue Jackets get back into the playoff race in the East as of early February.

Werenski’s best Norris finish was eighth, in the COVID-shortened 2019-20 season, and he is a lock to be a finalist this year. The only question is if he can generate enough buzz to surpass two of the best and most well-known defensemen to win the Norris this season.

Who Will Win the 2025 Norris Trophy?

It is never a bad bet to wager on Makar, especially since you can pencil him in as a finalist before the season even starts. Hughes will also undoubtedly be in the mix, even though he has only been a finalist for the award once in his previous six seasons and there has not been a repeat Norris winner since Nicklas Lidstrom in 2007-08.

Our pick right now is Hughes, narrowly ahead of Werenski, due to his incredible three-week span. With Miller traded, and Vancouver acquiring defenseman Marcus Pettersson from the Penguins, Hughes’ team should get back on the beam and find a way to claim one of the final two playoff spots – either the second wild card or No. 3 seed in the Pacific. 

Werenski can still steal the award, and Makar is always capable of going on a tear. But the award is Hughes’ to lose right now. Here is what our ballot would be if we were voting today:

1. Quinn Hughes
2. Zach Werenski
3. Cale Makar