The NHL Norris Trophy odds are out—lace ’em up because we’ve got a barnburner on our hands! And for all our rookie readers, the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA) awards the James Norris Memorial Trophy to the defenseman who exemplifies the best all-around play in the National Hockey League for the year. Can’t get enough? Check out our NHL awards hub for the latest hockey news, betting insights, and NHL awards odds. Without further ado, let’s jump into the Norris Trophy odds and see which blueliner’s leading the rush.
2025 Norris Trophy Odds
| Norris Trophy Winner |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cale Makar | -278 | -200 | -200 |
| Zach Werenski | +150 | +145 | +140 |
| Quinn Hughes | +3000 | +2900 | +1500 |
| Josh Morrissey | +10,000 | Available upon request | Available upon request |
| Victor Hedman | +50,000 | Available upon request | Available upon request |
| Rasmus Dahlin | +50,000 | Available upon request | Available upon request |
Norris Trophy Favourites
The Norris Trophy finalists are announced between late April and early May—but we already have some mighty fine top contenders. Although Cale Makar is the frontrunner across sportsbooks and clearly favoured by the Norris odds, we can make a case for each of the top three defensemen (and everyone’s predicted finalists) in the National Hockey League.
Cale Makar (-200)
After his stellar performance this season, it’s no surprise to see former Norris winner Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche leading the Norris Trophy betting odds. Cale Makar is skating circles around the competition when it comes to being an all-rounded, top-scoring defenseman in the league, making him the perfect candidate for the Norris Trophy. Not only does Cale Makar dominate the ice, he controls it too—walking the blue line, creating space for cross-ice passes, and even carrying the puck end-to-end like a full-fledged forward. His high hockey IQ, explosive skating, precision, and leadership skills on the ice earned his top spot on the NHL Norris odds and even scored him the Conn Smythe Trophy during the Colorado Avalanche’s 2022 Stanley Cup run.
Cale Makar’s plus-minus rating of +22 (at time of writing) is only the tip of the iceberg considering his record-breaking stats—not to mention his recent career-high 6-point game (2 goals and 4 assists). On top of his incredible NHL season, Cale Makar also dominated in the 4 Nations Face-Off as alternate captain of Team Canada. Cale Makar was arguably the most-utilized player, showcasing his stamina, leadership abilities, and defensive prowess in the 4 Nations Face-Off, and played a pivotal role in Team Canada’s championship run, concluding with a 3-2 overtime win against Team USA.
Zach Werenski (+140)
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski’s NHL Norris Trophy odds have shortened considerably over the past several weeks, from +360 in mid-February to +150 today, completely overtaking Quinn Hughes in the odds department. Before this season began, Zach Werenski winning the James Norris Memorial Trophy was far-fetched in everyone’s book. But after his standout performance this season, many believe the Columbus Blue Jackets’ star blueliner might give Canadian hockey player Cale Makar a run for his money. Zach Werenski leads the Blue Jackets in ice time and has taken more shots than any other defenseman in the league, securing his spot as the second-highest-scoring blueliner.
Zach Werenski has a growing reputation as one of the NHL’s premier blueliners, and showcased his talents on an international level, representing Team USA, as the top-scorer at the 4 Nations Face-Off, scoring a point each game and providing multiple assists. Not only is Zach Werenski a proven point producer—he’s a game-changer thanks to his tenacious threading of a perfect pass and ability to shut down his opposition’s top forwards. Although Zach Werenski is trailing behind Cale Makar in the stats (and the odds!), this might not be the case for long as Columbus Blue Jackets’ star defenseman sets his sights on gold and continues to skyrocket this season.
Quinn Hughes (+1500)
Reigning Norris Trophy winner Quinn Hughes, Captain of the Vancouver Canucks, was an early favourite, but his oblique injury at the beginning of the year stalled his momentum, causing his Norris Trophy odds to lengthen as Cale Makar and Zach Werenski surged ahead. Although many would still consider Quinn Hughes the best defenseman in the NHL, the Norris Trophy is typically awarded to the highest-scoring blueliner. With Quinn Hughes sidelined, the Vancouver Canucks have felt the impact of his absence, attributing some losses to their missing captain, which speaks volumes to his influence on the ice. Despite being temporarily out for the count (and his odds dropping a considerable amount), Quinn Hughes is still one of the Norris Trophy favourites.
After a speedy recovery, Quinn Hughes logged significant ice time in his first game back against Calgary Flames (March 13, 2025) and was back at it with a power-play assist scoring the Vancouver Canucks another win! We’ll have to wait and see how defending Norris Trophy winner Quinn Hughes and his team fair during the Western Conference and if the Stanley Cup Finals are in the cards for the Vancouver Canucks.
How to Bet on NHL 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 NHL sportsbook
- Create an account
- Deposit funds
- Place your bet
There are a bunch of factors to consider when selecting a sportsbook, including the available odds and offerings, accepted payment methods, and overall user experience. We’ve outlined the top Norris Trophy sportsbooks (below)—rest assured, they’re all legal, licensed, and legit. Also, you can check out our top NHL betting sites and individual reviews for more information and our unbiased opinions on the best sportsbooks Canada has to offer.
Sign up using one of our exclusive link and open an account by entering and verifying your personal information. Next, locate the deposit button or cashier page and deposit funds to your betting account. Keep in mind some betting sites have lengthy transaction times, and while most sportsbooks won’t charge any transaction fees, your third-party payment provider might.
Finally, place a bet by browsing the odds, clicking on them, and entering your wager amount. If you can’t find any odds by searching “James Norris Memorial Trophy,” we recommend navigating through the hockey and NHL tabs to find the available futures and special markets.
Where to Bet on Norris Trophy Odds 2025
Currently, there are only a few Canadian sportsbooks with Norris Trophy odds—but they’re some of the best in the biz! Here’s where we recommend betting on the Norris Trophy:
Sports Interaction Norris Odds
Widely regarded as Canada’s number #1 sportsbook, Sports Interaction is our one-stop shop for unmatched hockey betting action. With the shortest odds on Cale Makar (-278) but the biggest payouts on long shots, Sports Interaction plays both ends of the spectrum with pure confidence. Additionally, Sports Interaction offers odds on the top six contenders rather than the top three, with wildly high underdog odds on Josh Morrissey (Winnipeg Jets), Victor Hedman (Tampa Bay Lightning), and Rasmus Dahlin (Buffalo Sabres).
On top of offering decisive Norris Trophy odds, Sports Interaction also boasts competitive odds on the Art Ross Trophy, Hart Trophy, Vezina Trophy, Calder Memorial Trophy, and Jack Adams Award. Sign up for Sports Interaction and bet on the Norris Trophy odds and other top NHL awards today!
BET99 Norris Odds
With the next best odds on the runner-up and underdog, BET99 caters to Canadians and shares our love our hockey betting. If you’re betting on the favourite, we’d recommend taking advantage of BET99 and Betway’s -200 odds on Cale Makar to maximize your potential winnings. Enjoy BET99’s easy-to-navigate website design and on-the-go sports betting (and don’t forget to check out the other two bookmaker’s mobile apps).
Besides offering odds on upcoming games and the Stanley Cup finals, BET99 has odds on which player Alex Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) scores his 895th career goal against. Use our exclusive link to register for BET99 and score solid odds across the board.
Betway Norris Odds
Betway has sharper odds on Cale Makar than Sports Interactions; however, the rest of Betway’s Norris Trophy odds are middle of the road at best. On the upside, Betway has a top-notch live betting platform (mind you, the others do, too) and offers countless live streams on a daily basis across the NHL and international hockey leagues.
Boasting the same selection as BET99, Betway’s offerings fall extremely short of Sports Interaction’s plentiful selection, but it’s still a solid choice. Sign up for Betway and lock in the top odds on Cale Makar!
2025 Norris Trophy Predictions
The official odds to win Norris Trophy currently favour Cale Makar from the Colorado Avalanche, but with -278 odds, you’re looking at a pretty measly payout. My pick for the 2025 James Norris Memorial Trophy is Zach Werenski, star blueliner for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Zach Werenski Norris odds have shortened considerably over the season, and he’s on pace for a 92-point season. He’s currently the second-highest point producer of all the NHL defensemen, and I think his odds will only increase as the regular season progresses. With +150, Zach Werenski has a solid chance to snag the Norris Trophy—and a pretty profitable payout! He’s more than proven himself this season through his NHL wins and 4 Nations Face-Off performance. And with Zach Werenski’s growing popularity, this could be the start of a winning streak for the history books.
Factors Influencing Norris Trophy Voting
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—AKA Cale Makar, Zach Werenski, and Quinn Hughes (despite being out for the count for four games due to injury).
Defensive Impact
Since the Norris Trophy is awarded to the best, all-rounded defenseman in the league, it makes perfect sense players’ defensive prowess plays a crucial role in who takes home the Norris Trophy (duh). 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 (or take!) 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. And with stronger teams comes a greater stage and more attention, making defensemen’s contributions much more noticeable! On the other hand, defensemen on struggling teams might have great stats, but they can’t expect to win the Norris Trophy just for being the last line of defense in a losing battle.
Recent Norris Trophy Winners
Here are the most recent James Norris Memorial Trophy winners for the last decade:
- 2024: Quinn Hughes (Reigning Norris Trophy Winner) – 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
- 2015: Erik Karlsson – Ottawa Senators
- 2014: Duncan Keith – Chicago Blackhawks
Notable Norris Trophy Stats
- Player with most Norris Trophy wins: The Boston Bruins’ star blueliner Bobby Orr won 8 consecutive Norris Trophies (1968-75), which is insane considering the next player to win just 3 Norris Trophies in a row was Detroit Red Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom (2006-8). Following close behind, Doug Harvey (Montreal Canadiens) and Nicklas Lidstrom both have 7 wins under their belts.
- Team with the most Norris Trophy wins: Thanks to Bobby Orr (8), Ray Bourque (5), and Zdeno Chara (1), the Boston Bruins, with 14 wins to date, hold the title of NHL team with the most Norris victories.
- Norris winner with the highest regular season points: Again, Bobby Orr holds the record for the highest-scoring Norris Trophy winner of all time, with a jaw-dropping 139 points in the 1970-71 season. During the same season, he also won the Hart Trophy, solidifying his legendary status in hockey history.
- Norris winner with the lowest regular season points: On the opposite end of the spectrum, Pierre Pilote, with a modest 26 points, was awarded the Norris Trophy during the 1970-71 season. This proves the James Norris Memorial Trophy isn’t all about scoring—but it’s still a deciding factor in most cases.
- Active NHL players with multiple Norris wins: Currently, Erik Karlsson with 3 wins (San Jose Sharks & Ottawa Senators) and Duncan Keith with 2 wins (Chicago Blackhawks) are the only players still in the game who have more than one Norris Trophies to their name.
- Youngest Norris winner: If you couldn’t tell former NHL defenseman Bobby Orr was a beast! He kicked off his Norris Trophy-winning streak at the ripe age of 19 during his 1966-67 season.
Norris Trophy History
The Norris Trophy is named after James E. Norris, the man who took the struggling Detroit Falcons under his wing in 1932 and transformed them into the powerhouse Detroit Red Wings we know and love (well, some of us) today. Under James Norris’ guidance, the new and improved Red Wings scored five Stanley Cup victories—and even after he hung up his skates for good in December 1952, the Red Wings went on to win two more years in a row. After he died in 1952, the James Norris Memorial Trophy was created to honour Norris’ contributions to the NHL and the city of Detroit.
Wrapping Up: Norris Trophy Odds
According to the Norris Trophy odds, Cale Makar, Zach Werenski, and Quinn Hughes will most likely be our three finalists, with the odds currently favouring former Norris winner Cale Makar, but it’s still anyone’s game—even yours! Check out Sports Interaction for the top NHL awards and decisive Norris Trophy odds (2025) for your chance to win alongside the best defenseman in the league. Don’t forget to check back here for the latest and greatest hockey odds across the best Canadian bookmakers, betting insights and top picks, and tips on how to play responsibly.
NHL Norris Odds 2025: FAQs
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar is the clear favourite to win the Norris Trophy, blowing past Zach Werenski (+150) and Quinn Hughes (+3000).
Boston Bruins defenseman Bobby Orr holds the record for the most Norris Trophy wins in NHL, with 8 consecutive wins. Notably, the Boston Bruins lead all teams in Norris Trophy victories with 14 wins to date.
Other important NHL awards include:
Hart Trophy – Awarded to the NHL’s most valuable player (MVP)
Art Ross Trophy – Awarded to the NHL’s leading point scorer in the regular season
Rocket Richard Trophy – Awarded to the NHL’s top goal scorer
Vezina Trophy – Awarded to the NHL’s best goaltender
Selke Award – Awarded to the NHL’s best defensive forward
Lady Byng Trophy – Awarded for sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct
Jack Adams Award – Awarded to the NHL’s coach of the year
Calder Trophy – Awarded to the league’s top rookie
The Norris Trophy is awarded to the best defenseman in the NHL (based on overall ability) after the Stanley Cup Finals in June. Additionally, Norris finalists are announced between late April and early May.