Norris Trophy Favourites for the 2023-24 NHL Season

Each year, the NHL awards the James Norris Memorial Trophy to the league’s “top defensive player who demonstrates throughout the season, the greatest all-round ability in the position”. Considered a major feat, being awarded the Norris Trophy places the winner among a group of all-time great defensemen. Let’s look at the top four candidates to take home the Norris Trophy for the 2023-24. 

The definition of the modern defensemen is Cale Makar. Arguably one of the best defensemen over the last few years, Makar won the Norris Trophy in the 2021-22 season. This season, Makar is on pace for 123 points (comparable to fellow contender, Quinn Hughes), having already scored 34 points in 25 games as of December 11. Earlier in the season, Makar tied for the highest plus/minus (ratio to goals scored and goals allowed while on the ice) in the league, along with Hughes, and was ranked sixth in the league on December 11. Makar’s lack of physicality does not negatively affect his defensive capabilities, as he leads defensemen in takeaways so far in the NHL season with 22 thus far. Makar has the best odds of any defensemen to win the award at this point in the season.

Although the Vancouver Canucks entered the 2023-24 season with low expectations, they find themselves second in the Western Conference as of December 11, largely thanks to superstar captain Quinn Hughes. Hughes has been electric to start the season, posting 33 points in his first 22 games, en route to being top ten in the league in terms of points. Hughes’ hot start puts him in a prime position to challenge for the Norris. While it’s unlikely that Hughes continues his current scoring pace (he is on track for 123 points over an 82-game season), he should easily surpass the point-per-game mark and, buoyed by strong underlying stats, such as plus-minus, Hughes should have a strong case to win his first Norris. 

The newest Swedish sensation, Rasmus Dahlin, has gotten off to a blazing start to the season. In 27 games, Dahlin has already amassed 21 points, as of December 11. Dahlin has the potential to finish with over a point per game during this season, which is a feat previous winners Erik Karlsson and Cale Makar both accomplished. Dahlin has always had the offensive capabilities to win the Norris Trophy but has also made defensive improvements, recently accomplishing a career high 45 takeaways last season. The only con for Dahlin is his team. Due to the Sabres’ defensive incapabilities, his plus/minus ratio will slightly hurt his chances. Nonetheless, Dahlin is no doubt a contender for the Trophy. 

Josh Morrissey has consistently been one of the most underrated defencemen in the NHL. The 28-year-old posted a career-high 76 points in 78 games last season thanks to his elite skating and hockey IQ, but was not named a finalist for the Norris, finishing fifth in voting behind names like Erik Karlsson and Cale Makar. This season Morrissey is proving last year was no fluke, posting a solid 19 points in 20 games, helping the Winnipeg Jets compete at the top of the Western Conference. Morrissey’s stats need to improve, and he will need to be outstanding to truly have a shot to win, but continuing his current hot play will certainly earn him some Norris consideration. 

With the majority of the NHL season still left to unfold, the top defencemen in the NHL will undoubtedly continue to battle for the upper hand in the race to win the highly coveted  Norris trophy.