The wait is finally over because the NHL has now announced the finalists for the 2025-26 Norris Trophy. The NHL's best blueliners have been put on notice, and the race for the game's most prestigious defensive honour is anything but straightforward.

As reported by NHL.com, on May 7, 2026, Rasmus Dahlin, Cale Makar, and Zach Werenski have been named finalists for the Norris Trophy. This award is given to the defenseman voted best at his position by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.

The date of when the winner will be announced is not official. As the competition is tight fans are eager to see who takes home the trophy.

The 27-year-old Sabres captain delivered a career-high 74 points across 77 games while leading Buffalo in even-strength goals, power-play points, and ice time per game at 24:11. Rasmus Dahlin helped power the Sabres to a 50-23-9 record and 109 points, their most productive campaign since 2006-07.

while guiding the franchise to its first division title since 2009-10 and first playoff berth since 2010-11. If he wins, the win will be historic because no Buffalo Sabre has ever taken home the Norris Trophy.

"For me, it means a lot," Dahlin said as reported by NHL.com. "We grinded for a lot of years, and finally the team has success. And when the team is having success, you usually get individual success, too. So, it's unreal. It's cool."

Cale Makar, who has arguably redefined what it means to be an elite NHL defenseman in the modern era. A finalist for the sixth consecutive season and a two-time winner, Makar is chasing a third Norris that would place him among just ten players in history to achieve that feat.

He recorded 79 points in 75 games, finished plus-32, and averaged nearly 25 minutes of ice time per game. He achieved all this while anchoring a Colorado Avalanche side that claimed the Presidents' Trophy.

Yet the most surprising challenger may be Zach Werenski, who has quietly built a case that is impossible to ignore. The Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman led all blueliners in shots on goal with 260 and posted 81 points in 75 games, averaging 1.08 points per game, second among all defensemen.

A finalist for the second straight year after finishing as runner-up last season, Werenski is chasing history of his own; no Blue Jacket has ever won the award. Sort of Dahlin and Werenski are on the same boat.

Its hard to say who deserves the Trophy the most, but the coaches and team-members definitely had alot to say over their players being finalists.

What Did Sabres Coach and Avalanche Forward Have To Say Over Norris Trophy Finalists?

"Very well deserved," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. "A huge part of our team and the reason why we got to where we got to. A lot of times when the game's on the line and we need offense, he's there."

Its not just about winning, even being in the finalists is a historic move in a way for Buffalos. Before 2026, the only other Buffalo defenseman to receive significant consideration was Jim Schoenfeld, who finished 3rd in voting during the 1979-80 season.

Despite being the highest-scoring defenseman in franchise history, Phil Housley never won the award, nor was he a finalist during his time in Buffalo 1982-1990.

"He's got a physicality to him that makes it really tough on the opposition. Hard guy to play against. So I think it's really well deserved," Lindy said.

Avalanche forward also reflected over Makar's personality and being nominated once again.

"I asked him today how many he's been nominated for and he didn't even know," Avalanche forward Logan O'Connor said of Makar. " I didn't know it was six but that's pretty remarkable. He's the best D-man in the world and being on the same team as him has been remarkable to watch.... You wouldn't know he's a world-class player, best D-man in the world, just being around him. He’s super humble, just does his own thing. He's been the man."

Who do you think will win 2025-26 Norris Trophy?

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Written by

Kaamna Dwivedi

Edited by

Kaamna Dwivedi