Blue Jackets' Zach Werenski Earns Second Norris Trophy Nomination in 2026!

Last season, 2024-25, Zach Werenski earned his first Norris Trophy nomination after becoming the highest-scoring defenseman in Columbus Blue Jackets history. He closed out the season with 82 points, consisting of 23 goals and 59 assists. His plus/minus was also an outstanding +12. Unfortunately, Cale Makar would beat out Zach in the final vote after his 30-goal and 62-assist campaign with the Colorado Avalanche. He accomplished that 92-point season with a plus/minus of +28. He certainly earned the Norris Trophy. I'll never discredit that. However, Cale had a more formed team around him than Zach, in my opinion. This season was a fresh start, and although our Blue Jackets fell short of the postseason again, Zach did not disappoint in his scoring or leadership ability. Am I proud? Yes. Surprised? Absolutely not. 

This season, Zach finished with 81 points, consisting of 22 goals and 59 assists. His plus/minus was a +7. Not as high as last season, but still impressive for a defenseman who averaged 26:37 in on-ice time this season. These numbers were solid enough to earn him his second Norris Trophy nomination in a row, and despite having one fewer goal than last season, I believe Zach has a good chance of taking home the honor this year. 

Cale Makar is also a back-to-back nominee. As I said above, he won last season after an impressive 92-goal campaign. This season, like Zach, he did not slow down! He appeared in 80 games last season to reach that point number. This season, he played in just 75 games, but finished with 20 goals and 79 assists for 79 points. His game and point total did drop, and Zach did exceed him in both categories. The only disadvantage I see for Zach against Cale this year is that the Colorado Avalanche are kicking ice in the playoffs, while Zach and the Blue Jackets are not. So far, in those playoffs, he has 4 goals and 1 assist for 5 points in just 6 games. The members voting on the Norris Trophy are seeing this every time he takes the ice, and that is a great disadvantage for Zach, I'm sorry to say.  

This disadvantage continues for Zach with the third and final Norris Trophy nominee, Rasmus Dahlin. Rasmus played in the fewest number of games of any player nominated for the Norris Trophy this season, with 77. With 19 goals and 55 assists for 74 points, you wouldn't know it. When it comes to plus/minus, he had the best among the nominees at +18. Further, Rasums is the captain of the Buffalo Sabers, who are not just electric in the playoffs right now, but also broke a 14-year drought of not making the postseason. The feet have put a spotlight on this team, especially when their season started so poorly, as their captain missed games, proving his leadership played a huge part in their resurgence.  I, personally, believe Rasmus would've had the highest numbers of anyone on this list, including Zach, had his family not been dealt such a difficult blow at the start of the season. It's widely known that his fiancée, Carolina, had emergency surgery when a miscarriage brought to light a life-threatening heart condition. Ever since the couple told the world what happened, everyone has been cheering on the two, myself included, as something like this is far bigger than hockey. 

Even if you take away the personal story, Rasmus' leadership to bring his team back from one of the worst starts in the league, achieving the franchise's first playoff bid in 14 years, and their first trip to round two of the playoffs in 19 years, is impressive. Add in his numbers in a shortened season, and you have a competitive bid to win the Norris Trophy. 

Cale won the Norris Trophy last season, and although his numbers were less than last year, he has every right to be on this list again. He has the best plus/minus of all three nominees. His leadership also had a huge hand in the Avalanche winning the Presidents' Trophy and their success so far in the playoffs. Again, a competitive bid to win his second Norris Trophy in two years. 

Zach did finish with the most games played and points of all three nominees. This does help him, but I worry that he's the only player not in the playoffs on this short list. As they say, out of sight, out of mind. I hope that isn't the case, but it could be. Also, I'm not including Zach's accomplishments in the 2026 Winter Olympics because, in my mind, that's separate from the NHL. Team USA winning gold for the first time in 46 years, and Zach having the primary assist on the overtime, game-winning goal, will always be one of the highlights of hockey for me. That said, the Olympics and NHL are separate, and I don't want to use that as a possible factor in this when those voting likely won't. 

Of course, I want to see Zach win the Norris Trophy. This is such an honor in the NHL, and Zach has worked hard for so many seasons to acquire the skill and reputation he has as a defenseman. That said, all three men on this list are here for a reason, and predicting who will walk away with the trophy is impossible. I would know, I just researched Zach, Cale, and Rasmus for an hour and a half! I can't wait to see who wins in June, and I'll congratulate whoever does.     


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