The NHL Norris Trophy odds are set, so get ready to lace up your skates and place your bets on this year’s best regular-season defenseman. Check out our NHL awards hub for the latest award news, betting insights, and NHL awards odds. Scroll down for the Norris Trophy odds and see which blueliner’s leading the rush.
2026 Norris Odds
Click on the latest 2025-26 NHL Norris Trophy odds below to place a bet! Odds are courtesy of bet365 and were last updated on Feb 01, 2026:
| Player | Team | Norris Trophy Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Cale Makar | Colorado Avalanche | -800 |
| Quinn Hughes | Minnesota Wild | +750 |
| Zach Werenski | Columbus Blue Jackets | +1400 |
| Jakob Chychrun | Washington Capitals | +3300 |
| Miro Heiskanen | Dallas Stars | +5000 |
📈 Recent Norris Trophy Betting Trends
- Preseason favourites often win. Since 2016, six of the last 10 winners have come from the top five favourites to win the Norris. The outliers for this trend are Mark Giordano, Roman Josi, Adam Fox, and Erik Karlsson.
- Offensive defencemen usually win. While the award goes to “defencemen”, the winners of the Norris often are among the top in their position in points. In fact, the last time a player won the Norris and finished under 60 points in a full 82-game season was Drew Doughty in 2016.
- Top Power Play players win. Norris Trophy winners often are featured within their team’s top power play unit, which helps feed into their ability to generate points.
- Quick shrinking odds. As of the last five years, oddsmakers are hasty to shorten the lines set for the Norris Trophy odds. Once a player gets out to a strong start, books have quickly isolated these favourites and sucked all the value out of them. This is evident with this season’s favourite, Cale Makar.
2025-2026 Top Norris Trophy Favourites
Learn more about the top contenders according to the odds for Norris Trophy 2026 below, why they’re favoured to win the award, and if they’re a good bet to make for your bankroll.
Cale Makar
The reigning Norris Trophy winner from the 2024-25 NHL season, Colorado Avalanche superstar Cale Makar, is once again poised to claim the best defencemen honour in 2026.
As one half of the Avalanche star duo alongside Hart Trophy favourite Nathan MacKinnon, Makar has been sensational throughout his regular-season campaign. Currently leading all defencemen in points, Makar’s superb play has directly correlated with team success as his Avs continue to look like Stanley Cup contenders.
With his sights set on his third Norris Trophy, look for Makar to continue carving out a Hall of Fame career with an award-winning season in 2026 as he looks to be the first player to win consecutive Norris Trophies since Niklas Lidstrom won three in a row from 2006-2008.
Cale Makar to Win Norris Trophy
Quinn Hughes
Experiencing a midseason change of scenery, newly-acquired Minnesota Wild defenceman Quinn Hughes is the current runner-up according to the latest James Norris Trophy odds.
Having claimed the award back in 2024, Hughes has been one of the best young d-men in the NHL since entering the league. Currently on a near point-per-game pace, Hughes has proven himself to be one of the best playmakers across the NHL.
With his fantastic hockey IQ coupled with legitimate on-ice skills, Hughes may be set for a competitive push toward the Norris Trophy this season. While his odds to win the Norris Trophy are still a long shot, a bet on Hughes still holds great value, with a potential outside shot of hitting this year.
Quinn Hughes to Win Norris Trophy
Zach Werenski
Rounding out the top three candidates for the 2026 James Norris Trophy, Columbus Blue Jackets stud blueliner Zach Werenski is once again among the top contenders for the award.
Coming off of a 2024-25 campaign that saw him finish as the runner-up for the Norris Trophy, Werenski’s offensive skillset and prowess have kept him alive in this year’s award race. While his Blue Jackets are still struggling to generate wins, this can’t be held against Werenski, as even in losing efforts, he has been brilliant.
Currently second in the NHL in points scored among defencemen, if he can catch up to Makar in this category, he may be able to bump up his odds to win the Norris Trophy this season.
Zach Werenski to Win Norris Trophy
How to Bet on Norris Trophy Odds
Let’s give the rookies the rundown and our regular readers a recap! Here’s how to bet on the Norris Trophy odds in four easy steps:
- Choose a Sportsbook. Check out our list below or our in-depth reviews of the best NHL betting sites to find the online sportsbook that’s right for you. Important factors to consider are the odds offered, the selection of betting markets, and available banking options. Note: not all sportsbooks offer Norris Trophy odds.
- Create an Account. Sign up and create your account using the links on this page. You’ll need to provide personal information, such as your full name, email, and address, to verify your identity and eligibility to play.
- Make a Deposit. Load your betting account with playable funds. Navigate to the banking section of your sportsbook and check out the available deposit options. Decide how much you’re willing to wager, and securely transfer funds into your account balance.
- Place your Bet. All that’s left to do is fire off some bets on the 2026 Norris Trophy odds. Navigate to the NHL futures betting markets offered at your sportsbook and find the latest odds on this year’s Norris winner. Add your pick to your bet slip and watch the action unfold!
Best Norris Trophy Betting Sites
Not sure where to place your next NHL futures bet? Then be sure to check out a few of the best NHL betting sites below for all your upcoming bets on the James Norris Trophy odds below.
1. bet365
The best destination for all your bets placed on Norris Trophy odds 2026, bet365 has got you covered throughout the NHL season. With juicy odds, an easy-to-use interface, and one of the best selections of NHL futures on the market, it’s never a dull moment playing at bet365. Sign up with bet365 here.
⭐ Highlights:
- Competitive Odds
- Fantastic NHL Futures Selection
- User-Friendly Interface
2. Sports Interaction
Loyal to the soil, Sports Interaction is a homegrown Canadian sportsbook that is a fantastic option for hockey fans looking to place a wager on the 2026 Norris Trophy odds. Along with their user-friendly betting app, Sports Interaction offers competitive odds, optimized live betting, and a wide array of NHL futures markets. Sign up with Sports Interaction here.
⭐ Highlights:
- Terrific for Live Betting
- Juicy Odds
- Wide Selection of NHL Futures Odds
3. TonyBet
Get the best bang for your buck when you bet on the current Norris Trophy odds this season by throwing down your next wager at TonyBet. Providing bettors with the best prop odds on the market, you can maximize your winnings by placing bets with TonyBet. Sign up with TonyBet here.
⭐ Highlights:
- Best Odds on Props
- Easy-to-Navigate Interface
- Unique NHL Betting Markets
How to Read Norris Trophy Odds 👓
If you’re going to wager on the latest Norris Trophy betting odds, you’ll need to understand how to read them. Below, we’ve provided a tutorial on how to read Norris Trophy odds in American odds format.
In American Odds format, favourites are represented with a minus sign (-) and underdogs with a plus sign (+). For a favourite, the minus sign indicates the amount that needs to be wagered in order to profit $100, whereas the plus sign shows what can be won in profit from wagering $100.
For example, if a Norris Trophy finalist has -800 odds to win, that means you’d need to wager $800 in order to profit $100. Inversely, if a player is a +750 underdog, that means a $100 wager pays out $750 in profit.
👉 Pro tip: Use our handy odds calculator to estimate your potential winnings or to convert odds into different formats.
You can wager any amount you want (small bets like $10 and $20 are fine!). Check out what potential payouts can look like using the examples below.
| Wager Amount | -500 | +200 |
|---|---|---|
| $5 | $1 | $10 |
| $10 | $2 | $20 |
| $20 | $4 | $40 |
| $50 | $10 | $100 |
Norris Trophy Odds Betting Tips 💡
Learn how you can make the most of all your bets on the latest odds to win the Norris Trophy this NHL season with our helpful betting tips below.
🤓 Do your Research
In order to make a smart bet, you’ll need to do your research. By doing your homework on recent betting trends, winning criteria, and other factors that go into building a Norris Trophy candidacy, you can determine where the best bet lies in this season’s award race.
🛒 Shop Odds
Each of the top NHL sportsbooks offers varying odds between each other when it comes to Norris odds. To snag the best bang for your buck, be sure to compare the odds of your desired bet between the best hockey betting sites to ensure you are getting the biggest possible return for your wager.
✋ Bet Responsibly
Lastly, if you’re going to bet, do so responsibly. Never wager more than you can afford to lose, never chase losses, and be sure to track how much you’re spending. Utilize the responsible gambling tools offered at your online sportsbook to help you monitor your betting behaviour, keeping yourself safe, and your betting activities fun.
How the Norris Trophy Winner is Chosen
The winner is determined by the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA), which awards the James Norris Memorial Trophy to the defenseman who exemplifies the best all-around play in the National Hockey League during the regular season. While PHWA voters officially judge overall ability, if you rack up enough points, shut down a few superstars, and play for a winning team, you should consider writing your acceptance speech.
➡️ Offensive Production
In the NHL today, offensive production isn’t just a bonus for defensemen; it’s practically a job requirement, especially if they want a shot at the Norris Trophy.
Blueliners who can rack up points, power through a power play, and stay on the offensive have a better chance than the best defensive defenders in the league. Sure, old-school defensive play is still important, but the PHWA loves a defenseman who can dangle, dish, and rip a clapper from the blue line.
Goals, assists, and total points are usually the unofficial “winning stat” for Norris Trophy finalists. If a defenseman is near the top of the scoring standings, odds are he’s also near the top of the Norris Trophy odds board.
➡️ Defensive Impact
While scoring numbers catch attention, a defenseman’s ability to shut down opponents, break up plays, and defend against attacks is the heart and soul of this award.
Defensive metrics such as plus/minus, blocked shots, takeaways, and ice time in high-pressure situations are all core voting considerations.
Norris Trophy winners are typically blueliners who can consistently neutralize offensive threats and create openings to score points. Strong defensive instincts, intelligent positioning, and a high hockey IQ are all vital traits for any Norris Trophy contender.
➡️ Team Success
The overall success of a team can have a huge impact on even the strongest defenseman’s chances of winning the Norris Trophy. Voters will generally favour defensemen whose teams perform well throughout the regular season and are top contenders for the Stanley Cup finals.
After all, if a defenseman’s team is winning, it’s assumed they’re doing something right. From shutting down opponents and blocking shots to making their goalie look good, all these intangible factors build a strong case for a Norris candidate. With stronger teams comes a greater stage and more attention, making defensemen’s contributions much more noticeable.
Past Norris Trophy Winners 🥇
| Year | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Cale Makar | Colorado Avalanche |
| 2024 | Quinn Hughes | Vancouver Canucks |
| 2023 | Erik Karlsson | San Jose Sharks |
| 2022 | Cale Makar | Colorado Avalanche |
| 2021 | Adam Fox | New York Rangers |
| 2020 | Roman Josi | Nashville Predators |
| 2019 | Mark Giordano | Calgary Flames |
| 2018 | Victor Hedman | Tampa Bay Lightning |
| 2017 | Brent Burns | San Jose Sharks |
| 2016 | Drew Doughty | Los Angeles Kings |
What is the Norris Trophy?
The James Norris Memorial Trophy is awarded to the best NHL defenceman during the regular season, as voted on by the PHWA.
The Norris Trophy is named after James E. Norris, who owned the Detroit Red Wings from 1932 until he died in 1952. In his honour, Norris’ children donated the award to the NHL in his name, and it has been a staple of the year-end awards ever since.
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The Goal Line: Norris Trophy Odds
Don’t wait, place your next bet on NHL futures today at any of the best hockey betting sites with the latest Norris odds. These odds are constantly changing throughout the regular season, so be sure to check back and see who’s leading the award race and strike while the iron is hot to ensure a big-time payday to conclude the 2025-26 season.
Norris Trophy Odds FAQs
The Norris Trophy is the NHL Award for the best defenceman in the league during the regular season. Members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association vote on this award.
The current favourite to win the Norris Trophy is Cale Makar. Having won the award twice already in his NHL career, Makar is primed to claim his third award in 2026.
The Professional Hockey Writers Association votes on the Norris Trophy. The PHWA also votes on who wins the Hart, Calder, Selke, Lady Byng, and Masterson Trophies.