Zach Werenski Wins 2026 Norris Trophy as NHL's Best Defenseman Over Rasmus Dahlin, Cale Makar

Zach Werenski is being celebrated as the NHL's top defenseman after recording one of the most productive seasons for a blueliner in the history of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Werenski was named the winner of the 2025-26 Norris Trophy over the Buffalo Sabres' Rasmus Dahlin and Colorado Avalanche's Cale Makar.

The Norris Trophy honors the defender with "the greatest all-around ability in the position" as voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.

Werenski claimed the award after ranking second among NHL defensemen with 81 points (22 goals, 81 assists) in 75 games.

He tied his single-season franchise for assists, tied for third among NHL defensemen in goals and led all blueliners with 260 shots on goal.

Werenski beat out winger Kirill Marchenko (67 points) for the Blue Jackets production lead, making him the only defenseman this season and the 10th in NHL history to pace his team in points.

Only the Minnesota Wild's Quinn Hughes took on a heavier workload than Werenski, who ranked second among NHL skaters with 26:37 of average ice time.

This marks Werenski's first Norris Trophy win after finishing as runner-up to Makar in 2025.

He now joins Chris Chelios, Brian Leetch and Adam Fox and Hughes as the fifth U.S.-born defenseman to receive the honor.

Dahlin was named a finalist after recording a career-high 74 points, the most by a Sabres defenseman since Phil Housley in 1990.

Makar, who won the Norris Trophy in 2022 and 2025, was named a finalist for a sixth straight season after ranking third among defensemen with 79 points.