🏒 Norris Trophy Odds: Makar & Werenski Tied After Olympic Break

I'm exploring the latest Norris Trophy odds and the top contenders for who will be named the NHL's best defenseman for the 2025-26 season. Each team has fewer than 30 games remaining in the regular season coming out of the Olympic break, and it's a dead heat between Cale Makar and Zach Werenski at the top of the oddsboard.

Which defender is more deserving of the honor and who will separate themselves down the stretch?

📊 Norris Trophy odds

Our Norris Trophy odds update in real time from our best sports betting sites. See the NHL odds for the best odds on each game during the 2025-26 season.

🏆 Who is the Norris Trophy favorite?

The Avalanche's Cale Makar (-105) and Blue Jackets' Zach Werenski (-105) are the Norris Trophy co-favorites across the best sports betting apps.

Both blue-liners rank near the top of the league in offensive production at the position and recently matched up in the Olympic hockey gold medal game, with Werenski's Americans beating Makar's Canadians in overtime.

Makar was the opening favorite and has led the way virtually the entire season until recently. After a dominant start to the campaign, his Avalanche have come back down to earth a bit as the league's other contenders have closed the gap in the standings. Meanwhile, Werenski's Blue Jackets have turned their season around and are back in the playoff picture entering the home stretch.

⚖️ Comparing Makar and Werenski

Here's a look at how Makar and Werenski stack up so far in the major stat categories. Corsi (one-ice shot attempt percentage) via MoneyPuck.

Werenski clearly has the edge in scoring stats, trumping Makar in goals and points while tallying the same number of assists. Makar ranks better in plus/minus and Corsi, though he plays on the more potent offense and better overall team. Makar's play is certainly a significant reason why the Avalanche have been so strong in 2025-26, but he could be seen as a relatively less valuable piece to his squad than Werenski is to the Blue Jackets. Makar has played three more games than Werenski.

🤔 Can Quinn Hughes enter the fold?

Though it appears to be a two-horse race between Makar and Werenski, Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes (+2500) isn't out of it quite yet. The 2023-24 Norris Trophy winner is averaging over a point per game since the Wild acquired the former Canucks captain during the season.

And the Wild are surging, winning eight of their last 10 games heading into the break. If the Wild can overtake the slumping Avalanche for the top spot in the Western Conference standings by the end of the regular season, their marquee addition on the blue line will certainly be in the mix for the Norris Trophy. His current mark of five goals would hold him back, however, so he needs to go on a scoring binge at some point to be a true contender for the award.

❓ Norris Trophy FAQs

Who is the 2026 Norris Trophy favorite?

Cale Makar and Zach Werenski are the 2026 Norris Trophy odds co-favorites coming out of the Olympic break.

Who won the Norris Trophy last season?

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar won the 2025 Norris Trophy.

When will the Norris Trophy be decided?

Votes from the Professional Hockey Writers' Association must be filed before the Stanley Cup playoffs begin. The 2025 Norris Trophy was named on June 11, 2025. Expect a similar timeframe for the 2026 Norris Trophy. 

Who won the most consecutive Norris Trophies?

The Boston Bruins' Bobby Orr won eight consecutive Norris Trophies from 1968-75. 

Which active player has the most Norris Trophies? 

Erik Karlsson has won three Norris Trophies, the most of any active player. 

Who was the last back-to-back Norris Trophy winner?  

Nicklas Lidstrom won three in a row from 2006-08.