Is the second time a charm?
It was announced Thursday that for the second consecutive season, Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski is among the finalists for the James Norris Memorial Trophy.
The award is given annually to the National Hockey League’s top defensive player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-around ability in the position.
The other finalists are Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche and Rasmus Dahlin of the Buffalo Sabres.
Werenski scored 22 goals and added 59 assists for a total of 81 points in 75 games this season. His 26:37 of ice time per game was second in the NHL, and Werenski led all defensemen in multi-point games and was tied for the league-lead in even-strength goals amongst blueliners.
His 81 points bested Makar (20 goals and 59 assists for 79 points in 75 games) and Dahlin (19 goals and 55 assists for 74 points in 77 games), but fell well short of Edmonton Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard, who scored 21 goals and had 74 assists for 95 points in 82 games but was not named a finalist for the award.
Four minutes, 25 seconds: that's how long Kirill Marchenko had tied Zach Werenski for the team lead in goals.
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) January 16, 2026
Werenski's 18th of the season here regains that lead. He's now on a 16-game home point streak; 6 away from his 22-game heater last season. #CBJpic.twitter.com/PDDRjeO7JJ
Werenski, who finished second in voting for the award last season to Makar, is considered a slight favorite to win the award by oddsmakers, including a -250 by DraftKings as of last week.
A 28-year-old native of Grosse Point, Michigan, Werenski is the fifth U.S.-born defenseman in league history to record multiple 80-point campaigns. He's the third to accomplish the feat in consecutive seasons, joining Hall of Famers Phil Housley and Brian Leetch.
Winners of all awards, including the Norris, will be announced at the NHL Awards ceremony shortly after the end of the Stanley Cup Finals.
