The Norris Trophy race has been a three-horse race for several months now, but right now, it appears that Vancouver Canucks defenceman Quinn Hughes is the frontrunner, according to ESPN.
ESPN released their NHL Awards Watch article on Tuesday, and Hughes was voted as the favourite to win as teams are at the 50+ game mark of the season over defencemen Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche and Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Greg Wyshynski, who wrote the piece, said this about Hughes:
“He might not be in the MVP top three, but Hughes is leading the Norris vote again.“Hughes won the Norris last season. The NHL hasn’t had a back-to-back Norris winner since Nicklas Lidstrom won the award three straight years (2006-08) with the Detroit Red Wings. Hughes earned 45% of the first-place votes.“Hughes leads all defensemen in points (57) and is tied with Werenski in even-strength points among defensemen (37). Unlike Werenski and Makar, Hughes does not see significant time on the penalty kill, averaging just 10 seconds shorthanded per game.”
The article also provided opinions from other voters on their decision-making process for their votes:
“Vancouver is messy, but Quinn’s special again this year,” said one voter.“It’s a very tight race between Hughes and Makar. Hughes seems to be doing a little more with a little less in Vancouver, but this likely will come down to the wire. Maybe whichever one helps his team make the playoffs?” said one voter. “Both are just so much fun to watch.”
Hughes is having another phenomenal season with the Canucks, as he has 14 goals and 45 assists for 59 points in just 47 games. His play has been pivotal to the Canucks success this season, and his absences in the Vancouver lineup throughout the season being so noticeable has earned him consideration not only for the Norris Trophy but the Hart Trophy as well.
The Florida native also won the Norris Trophy in the 2023-24 season after a 17-goal, 92-point season and helping the Canucks to the postseason for the first time in four years.
