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Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar against the Dallas Stars. Photo by Jerome Miron via Imagn Images

Cale Makar leading the 2024-25 Norris Trophy odds is as inevitable as the sun rising in the east and setting in the west. 

The Colorado Avalanche ace has further separated himself from the chasing pack, increasing his lead over Quinn Hughes, the only other defenseman in sight. 

Makar is the consensus minus-money favorite at our best NHL betting sites. Zachary Werenski, Josh Morrissey, and Adam Fox round out the five favorites, but none of those three have an implied win probability exceeding 5%.  

Norris Trophy odds 2024-25

Norris Trophy odds favorites 2024-25

Cale Makar (-215)

At -215, DraftKings offers the best odds for Makar. He's trading as long as -350 at BetMGM, carrying an implied win probability of 77.78%.

It's incredible to think a defenseman, no matter how elite, can have an almost-80% chance of winning the Norris Trophy a quarter through the season.  

It's a testament to how well Makar has acquitted himself. He has 32 points in 26 games, leading all defensemen in scoring. His 1.23 points per game are the most, and he has 14 power play points, tied for the most with the Carolina Hurricanes' Shayne Gostisbehere. 

He also leads in primary assists (14) and is second in assists per 60 minutes (2.21), assists (19), and has the sixth-most takeaways (20).

The former Norris Trophy winner fell just short of his ultimate goal in 2024, letting the award for best defenseman slip through his fingers. It's doubtful that will happen again, especially considering his torrid start. 

Best odds: -215 via DraftKings | Implied probability: 68.25%

My Norris Trophy player to watch

Zach Werenski (+2000)

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski controls the puck against the Calgary Flames as we analyze the 2024-25 Norris Trophy odds. 
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski controls the puck against the Calgary Flames. Photo by Sergei Belski via Imagn Images

Outside of the big two, Zach Werenski has the best chance of capturing his first Norris Trophy. The Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman is plus-11 on a non-playoff team, speaking volumes considering how often he plays against the opposition's best players. 

He's third in points (26), has eight goals, tied for the most with Makar and Jakob Chychrun, and is also tied for the most even-strength points (17). 

The Blue Jackets rely on Werenski as much -- if not more -- than the Canucks and Avalanche do for Hughes and Makar. At +2000, he's worth a go, and a winning $10 bet would profit $200. 

Best odds: +2000 via BetRivers | Implied probability: 4.76%

How to read Norris Trophy futures odds

Reading Norris Trophy odds is straightforward. Odds are usually presented in a format like +500 or -200. Positive odds (e.g., +500) show how much profit you’d make on a $100 bet.

For example, a $100 bet at +500 odds would win you $500, plus your original $100 stake, totaling $600. Negative odds (e.g., -200) indicate how much you need to bet to win $100. So, a $200 bet at -200 odds would win you $100, plus your $200 stake, totaling $300.

These odds also reflect the probability of a team winning the championship. Lower odds (e.g., +300) suggest a higher likelihood, while higher odds (e.g., +2000) indicate a lower probability.

Sportsbooks adjust these odds based on performance, injuries, trades, and betting patterns.

How to bet on Norris Trophy futures odds

The Norris Trophy has become an award designated for the NHL's best offensive defenceman. Those who produce offensively are the most likely finalists and winners. 

So keep that in mind when choosing your Norris Trophy picks. 

Does he play on an offensive team? Along with backing someone who tallies a ton of points, make sure he plays for a team that can frequently light the lamp.

For example, Evan Bouchard, Miro Heiskanen, and Makar fit this bill. Each player suits up for offensively potent teams, increasing their chances of winning the individual accolade.  

Is the player injury-prone? Ensure you're selecting a durable blue liner who spends way more time on the ice than on the treatment table. 

Is the player a power-play specialist? This corresponds to the previous category, but it's imperative you back those who are power-play specialists, quarterbacks if you will.

Also, do they quarterback a proficient or middling power play? Bouchard quarterbacks arguably the NHL's best power play, further lifting his Norris stock. Last year's winner, Hughes, scored 38 of 82 points on the power play.

2025 Norris Trophy odds over time

We'll be tracking the Norris Trophy odds throughout the 2024-25 NHL season. Odds via DraftKings.

PlayerOpening odds (June 28)Dec. 4
Cale Makar+225-215
Adam Fox+600+4000
Rasmus Dahlin+800+5000
Quinn Hughes+1000+270
Miro Heiskanen+1100+5000
Charlie McAvoy+1400+7500
Dougie Hamilton+1600+7500
Erik Karlsson+1600+15000
Roman Josi +1800+3000
Josh Morrissey+2000+2500
Victor Hedman+2200+5000
John Carlson+3500+15000
Moritz Seider+3500+20000
Evan Bouchard+4000+4000
Jakob Chychrun+4000+15000

Norris Trophy past winners

There hasn't been a repeat Norris Trophy winner in the last nine seasons. Erik Karlsson, who won in 2014-15 and 2022-23, is the last back-to-back winner.  

SeasonPlayerTeamOdds
2023-24Quinn HughesVancouver Canucks+1000
2022-23Erik KarlssonSan Jose Sharks+8000
2021-22Cale MakarColorado Avalanche+400
2020-21Adam FoxNew York Rangers+3500
2019-20Roman JosiNashville Predators+1600
2018-19Mark GiordanoCalgary FlamesN/A
2017-18Victor HedmanTampa Bay Lightning+650
2016-17Brent BurnsSan Jose Sharks+700
2015-16Drew DoughtyLos Angeles Kings+500
2014-15Erik KarlssonSan Jose Sharks+400
2013-14Duncan KeithChicago Blackhawks+1200

Norris Trophy winners by team

Only five NHL franchises have seen their defensemen win five or more Norris Trophies, including the Rangers, Blackhawks, Red Wings, Canadiens, and Bruins. 

Team Norris Trophies
Boston Bruins 14
Montreal Canadiens 12
Detroit Red Wings9
Chicago Blackhawks 8
New York Rangers5
New York Islanders 3
Edmonton Oilers 2
Washington Capitals2
Ottawa Senators2
Los Angeles Kings 2
San Jose Sharks2
St. Louis Blues2
Colorado Avalanche1
Pittsburgh Penguins 1
Tampa Bay Lightning 1
Vancouver Canucks1
New Jersey Devils1
Toronto Maple Leafs 0
Philadelphia Flyers 0
Buffalo Sabres 0
Anaheim Ducks0

Most Norris Trophies 

While records are meant to be broken, I'm not sure the same applies to Bobby Orr's haul of eight Norris Trophies, all of which were won in consecutive seasons. 

PlayerNorris Trophies
Bobby Orr8
Nicklas Lidstrom7
Doug Harvey7
Ray Bourque 5
Erik Karlsson 3
Chris Chelios 3
Paul Coffey3
Denis Potvin3
Pierre Pilote3

Norris Trophy FAQs

Who is the Norris Trophy favorite?

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar is the favorite, trading at -215. Those odds carry an implied probability of 68.25% via our odds calculator

Who won the Norris Trophy last season?

Quinn Hughes won the Norris Trophy during the 2023-24 season, finishing ahead of Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche and Roman Josi of the Nashville Predators.

When will the Norris Trophy be decided?

Votes from the Professional Hockey Writers' Association must be filed before the Stanley Cup playoffs begin. The end of the 2023-24 regular season is Thursday, April 18.

Which team has the most consecutive Norris Trophy winners? 

The Boston Bruins saw Bobby Orr win eight consecutive Norris Trophies. 

Who won the most consecutive Norris Trophies?

Orr won eight consecutive Norris Trophies with the Boston Bruins from 1968 to 1975. 

Who won the most Norris Trophies?

Orr's eight Norris Trophies are the most, while Nicklas Lidstrom and Doug Harvey won seven. 

Which active player has the most Norris Trophies? 

Erik Karlsson has won three Norris Trophies, the most of any active player. 

Who was the last back-to-back Norris Trophy winner?  

Nicklas Lidstrom won three in a row from 2006 to 2008. 

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