With just over a third of the NHL season gone, many defensemen have produced stellar numbers for their teams. However, a select few have set themselves apart as the best of the blueliners.
Who has earned a candidacy for the Norris Trophy as the league's best defenseman? Let's take a look at some of the top names.
Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche
Makar got off to a blazing start this season, finding himself tied for the league lead in points at the end of October with 19 in just 11 games. He's since continued this offensive outburst, and with 38 points in 33 games, he currently leads all defensemen and is 15th overall in scoring.
He also leads all defensemen in expected goals and primary assists. In addition, he's averaging over 25 minutes of ice time per game (fourth in the league). These numbers are all the more impressive when you see that Colorado's goaltenders have the fifth worst save percentage in the league, meaning Makar is carrying a heavy load on the back end to help out his netminders.
The 26-year-old is no stranger to accolades: he's already won the Calder Trophy for top rookie, the Norris Trophy in 2022 as well as the Conn Smythe Trophy for playoff MVP in that same year. If he keeps up his play, he could add another trophy to his resume.
Quinn Hughes, Vancouver Canucks
Last season's Norris winner has once again proven why he is one of the top defenders in the league. With 35 points in 30 games, he ranks 21st among skaters in scoring and second among defensemen. His 1.17 points per game is top among all defensemen.
Like Makar, Hughes is also averaging over 25 minutes of ice time per game. Additionally, when Hughes in on the ice, his team is averaging 63% of the share of total shots in the game. Hughes also sits third among defensemen for on-ice expected goals percentage (64.3%).
Hughes and Makar certainly look like they could duel for the title of the NHL's best defenseman. If Hughes can once again lead Vancouver to a Pacific Division title, he may retain his Norris Trophy at the end of the season.
Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets
Drafted eighth overall in 2015, Werenski has been a mainstay on the Blue Jacket's back end since his rookie season in 2016-17. This year, he's taken his game to another level.
With 31 points in 31 games, he ranks third among defenders in scoring while his 26:15 average time on ice leads all skaters in the NHL. Werenski's 7.6 expected goals are also third among defensemen and his 21 takeaways rank eighth for blueliners.
Werenski might have an uphill battle, given his team's 12-14-5 record (25th overall), but come the end of the season, he should see his name on plenty of Norris ballots.
