Will Cale Makar Win NHL James Norris Memorial Trophy 2024-25?
Will Cale Makar Win NHL James Norris Memorial Trophy 2024-25?
Every National Hockey League (NHL) defense player will dream of one day getting their hands on the James Norris Memorial Trophy.
The accolade is annually presented to the athlete who has demonstrated “the greatest all-round ability in the position” throughout the season.
The recipient is carefully selected by members of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association, and many top defencemen have earned the honor, such as eight-time recipient Bobby Orr and seven-time winners Doug Harvey and Nicklas Lidstrom.
As Cale Makar is arguably one of the best defencemen in the league, it wouldn’t be a shock to many if he received the accolade this year. Continue reading to learn if Cale Makar is likely to win the NHL James Norris Memorial Trophy 2024-25.
LEADERBOARD
Art Ross Trophy Race: Who’s Your Pick for the NHL’s 2025 Top Point Scorer?
| # | Bet Options | Chance to Win | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Implied Projected Winner Nathan MacKinnon | 63.69% | ||
| Implied Projected Winner Leon Draisaitl | 34.72% | ||
| Implied Projected Winner Nikita Kucherov | 28.57% |
BEO’s Betting odds show that Cale Makar is on pace to capture the NHL James Norris Memorial Trophy 2024-25 ::: Discover the latest Bet Entertainment Odds predictions for this market.
Cale Makar is the Projected Winner
Cale Makar proudly accepted the NHL James Norris Memorial Trophy during the 2021-2022 season and made history by becoming the first Colorado Avalanche defenceman to receive the honor.
Also, he was chosen as a finalist for the sought-after trophy for four consecutive seasons, proving his skills on the ice and popularity among the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association.
The 2024-25 season places Makar in a strong position for the trophy once again, as he recorded his 30th goal of the season in April 2025. As a result, he became the ninth defenceman in the sport’s history to do so.
As he’s scored 30 goals and made 62 assists in 80 games played, providing him with 92 points, he’s proved fundamental to the Colorado Avalanche’s success this season.
Zach Werenski is Close Behind
BEO betting odds indicate Zach Werenski is in a good position to receive the NHL James Norris Trophy for the 2024-2025 season.
As of April 2025, the 27-year-old defenseman has earned 78 points at the Colombus Blue Jackets. Also, he recently showcased his skills on the ice by securing six points in four games, becoming the 4 Nations Face-Off scoring leader in 2025.
Also, he’s spent an average of 27 minutes on the ice each game, which is currently the highest in the league.
As he’s a strong, dominant defender and leader, he has the potential to receive the first NHL James Norris Trophy of his career.
Quinn Hughes is a Potential Threat
Quinn Hughes is a realistic threat for the trophy, as he’s scored an impressive 75 points in 66 games in the 2024-2025 season.
He’s arguably one of the best defenders in the league, as he managed to block 66 powerful shots this season, making him fundamental to the Vancouver Canucks’ defense.
If he finishes the season strong, he could secure his second consecutive NHL James Norris Trophy, as he wowed fans and critics during his first year as captain.
As he continues to prove he’s an effective leader on and off the ice and has offensive skills most defensemen dream about, he is in the running for the accolade this year. However, he faces stiff competition from Cale Makar and Zach Werenski this season.
As the season is nearly over, the above players are most likely to take home the trophy, but there’s a small chance another player could do so, such as Rasmus Dahlin and Josh Morrissey.
