Norris Trophy Rankings: Makar pulls away with historic season

Welcome to the sixth and final edition of theScore's 2024-25 Norris Trophy Rankings.

xGF% = five-on-five expected goals for percentage

5. Thomas Harley, Stars

Previous: 4

Harley may not end up on a lot of ballots, but his play this season is more than worthy of consideration. He's stepped up in a big way since Miro Heiskanen's season-ending knee injury in January, producing 27 points in 28 games while averaging 24:55 per contest as Dallas' No. 1 defenseman.

Harley also leads all NHL blue-liners in goals above replacement (26.1) and expected goals above replacement (28.2) - metrics that measure a player's all-around contributions.

4. Rasmus Dahlin, Sabres

Previous: 5

There would be a lot more noise around Dahlin's tremendous season if it weren't for another disappointing campaign by the Sabres, who extended their NHL-record playoff drought to 14 seasons. Dahlin is tasked with a lot of the heavy lifting on Buffalo's blue line, taking on top-line matchups on a nightly basis. Still, he's still come out with a positive expected goals share and a plus-11 rating. That's hard to do on such a bad team.

There's a pretty big gap between the top three on our list and the rest of the pack, so Dahlin's chances of being a finalist are likely slim. But he's only 24 years old, so don't be surprised if Dahlin finds himself as a finalist for the first time in 2025-26.

3. Zach Werenski, Blue Jackets

Previous: 2

It's no surprise that the Blue Jackets ran out of gas and fell out of the playoff picture as Werenski's production tailed off. The 27-year-old has produced zero goals and six assists in his last 13 games during a 4-8-1 stretch by Columbus after serving as the Blue Jackets' engine all season long.

While the cold streak was enough to knock him down a spot on our list, his overall body of work this season should be enough to make him a Norris finalist for the first time in his career. Werenski's 75 points are the most on Columbus and second among NHL defensemen. He also leads the league in average time on ice. The Blue Jackets would've been nowhere near the playoff hunt if it weren't for their workhorse defenseman.

2. Quinn Hughes, Canucks

Previous: 3

Hughes would've had a real shot at back-to-back Norris Trophies if he hadn't missed 14 games this season due to injury. It's a testament to his play this year that we still have him in the No. 2 spot despite the missed time.

The 25-year-old has managed 74 points this season despite very little offensive help around him. In fact, no other skater on the Canucks has even reached the 50-point mark.

In part because of his slight frame, Hughes garners a reputation as someone who isn't strong defensively. But the numbers say otherwise. His 2.33 expected goals against per 60 minutes at five-on-five is the best of any player on this list, and in the top 30 among all blue-liners with at least 1,000 minutes.

1. Cale Makar, Avalanche

Previous: 1

Makar has truly separated himself from the pack. He should win his second career Norris Trophy by a landslide.

He became the ninth defenseman ever, and only the second in the last 30 years, to reach the 30-goal mark April 3 against the Blue Jackets. Makar leads all blue-liners in goals, assists, and points - the latter by a margin of 16. He sits in the top 10 in points among all NHL skaters.

Makar's defensive play isn't elite, but it's been good enough to take home the Norris, considering his historic offensive campaign. His 2.41 expected goals against per 60 minutes still put him in the top 50 among NHL defensemen.

(Analytics source: Evolving-Hockey)