Norris Trophy Rankings: Werenski making a push
Welcome to the third edition of theScore's 2024-25 Norris Trophy Rankings. We publish new rankings once a month throughout the campaign.
xGF% = five-on-five expected goals for percentage
5. Rasmus Dahlin, Sabres
Previous: N/A
| GP | G | A | ATOI | xGF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | 6 | 23 | 24:41 | 53.33 |
Dahlin would be getting a lot more Norris love if a) he didn't miss eight games due to injury earlier in the season and b) the Sabres weren't a complete tire fire.
Buffalo's captain has done everything he can to lift his team out of the Eastern Conference basement, ranking five points off the club lead despite missing time. Dahlin has notably amassed 10 assists in eight games since returning from his injury, and the Sabres are a much more respectable 4-3-1 in that span (0-6-2 without him this season).
Despite his poor surroundings, Dahlin's elite play at both ends makes him more than worthy of a spot on this list.
4. Josh Morrissey, Jets
Previous: N/A
| GP | G | A | ATOI | xGF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42 | 5 | 33 | 24:15 | 56.09 |
Morrissey is back on our list after appearing in the November edition but left off in December. He's returned with a vengeance over the last month, recording 15 points in 16 games since the previous rankings.
The 29-year-old exited Tuesday's victory early, but his day-to-day diagnosis shouldn't take him out of the running for the league's top defenseman honor.
Morrissey's offense has never been an issue, but leaky defensive play has sometimes kept him off this list. However, he's made strides in his own end this season, ranking 20th in expected goals against per 60 minutes among blue-liners with at least 600 five-on-five minutes.
3. Zach Werenski, Blue Jackets
Previous: 4
| GP | G | A | ATOI | xGF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | 12 | 34 | 26:32 | 51.03 |
The Blue Jackets enter Thursday in a position nobody could've predicted: holding down the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. The primary reason for the club's surprising first half is Werenski, one of only two defensemen leading their team in points.
Werenski's defensive play leaves a bit to be desired when discussing the league's elite blue-liners. However, he makes up for it offensively at even strength and on the power play. His workhorse ways - leading all NHL skaters in average time on ice - also contribute to his spot at No. 3 on our list.
The way Werenski has carried a ragtag Blue Jackets team into the playoff picture can't be understated. Columbus entered the season with the second-longest odds of winning the Stanley Cup, per theScore Bet and ESPN Bet. Players like Kirill Marchenko are enjoying breakout seasons, but Werenski is the heart and soul of the team.
2. Cale Makar, Avalanche
Previous: 2
| GP | G | A | ATOI | xGF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42 | 13 | 36 | 25:39 | 57.34 |
Nos. 1 and 2 are incredibly tight on our list. Makar looked to have a strong chance at leapfrogging Quinn Hughes if the Canucks captain missed more than four games due to injury. This isn't a knock on Makar, though, who's been sensational.
Makar leads all defensemen in goals, power-play points, and even-strength points, and he ranks third in ATOI. He also places 11th in xGA/60, signifying his elite two-way game.
What holds Makar back from being No. 1 on our list is nothing he can control: an elite supporting cast. Even though injuries have tested the Avalanche's depth, Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen are also enjoying spectacular seasons. No. 1 on our list doesn't have that same luxury.
1. Quinn Hughes, Canucks
Previous: 1
| GP | G | A | ATOI | xGF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 8 | 37 | 25:13 | 56.65 |
Nobody has been able to slow down Hughes this season - not even his own team. The drama surrounding the underperforming Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller hasn't fazed Hughes. Neither has an injury to Filip Hronek that's left the Canucks captain without his usual defense partner for the last 19 games. Hughes even returned earlier than expected from an undisclosed injury.
While Makar bests Hughes in most counting statistics, Hughes gets the edge in assists and points per game. Hughes has also been stellar in his own end despite preconceived notions about his defensive play, ranking 16th among blue-liners in xGA/60.
He's neck-and-neck with Makar in most key metrics, but we give the edge to Hughes, who leads his team in points by a staggering 15. Makar, meanwhile, trails his team lead in points by 17. Vancouver would be completely lost without Hughes.
Keep an eye on:
- Victor Hedman
- Moritz Seider
- Vladislav Gavrikov
- Colton Parayko
- Adam Fox
(Analytics source: Evolving-Hockey)