Odds to Win Norris Trophy 2026: NHL Best Defenseman Betting

By Mark Fordham

Jan 19th, 2026 5:28 AM EST

The title of the best defenseman in the National Hockey League is a prestigious one, and something you can wager on every year at top betting sites. The James Norris Memorial Trophy was first awarded at the end of the 1953-54 season. Known colloquially as the Norris Trophy, it provides hardware to the player deemed to be the best defenseman all season Members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association decide who the most outstanding player is each season.

You can bet on the Norris Trophy winner each season, with the best sports betting sites Canada has to offer providing a betting market with lots of potential candidates. There are odds for each player, and the market changes throughout the season. It is an exciting NHL Futures market, and we generally see a favorite emerge by the new year. Sometimes, sportsbooks can differ in opinion on the likely winner, so it’s always best to have multiple betting accounts to get the best possible price.

NHL Norris Trophy Betting Tips

Cale Makar

Cale Makar lifted the Norris Trophy in 2021-22 and 2024-25. The reigning champion is an outstanding performer for Colorado Avalanche. He is seen as arguably the best defenseman in the NHL and has guided his team to a Stanley Cup success in 2022. He also won the Conn Smythe Trophy, which is the postseason MVP, for his playoff performances that year.

Zach Werenski

Werenski has produced lots of big performances for the Blue Jackets, and he’s been a long-serving player for Columbus. The defenseman also helped the US pick up gold at the 2025 World Championship and was named First Team All-Star in the same year. His numbers have been consistently strong for the past few seasons, making him a strong gambling NHL candidate.

Quinn Hughes

Quinn Hughes is a likely winner of the Norris Trophy in the future. The Minnesota Wild defenseman won the accolade when playing for Vancouver Canucks. That success came in 2023-24, and he has been a decorated player in recent times. He won the Babe Pratt Trophy for the best defenseman on the team in six consecutive campaigns for the Canucks.

Lane Hutson

At a young age, Lane Hutson has the ice hockey world at his feet. The defenseman for the Montreal Canadiens has a bright future ahead of him. He won a host of awards coming through the college ranks and picked up the Calder Trophy in 2025 after a bright breakthrough season.

How to Read NHL Norris Trophy Odds

Norris Trophy betting odds are created before each NHL season starts. We always have a fair idea of the players who will be among the favorites. Cale Makar and Erik Karlsson have both won more than once. We can also see who the emerging defensemen were coming through in the previous campaign. However, there are lots of one-off Norris Trophy winners too.

Therefore, it certainly pays to watch the early regular season and get an idea for who is playing well. It can be that prominent international players might stand more chance of generating more votes and have lower prices at betting apps.

Best NHL Norris Trophy Free Bet Offers

RTBet NHL Betting

New RTBet customers can land a 100% welcome bonus up to $150 when they sign up. Get boosted odds for high-profile NHL matches. Customers have some excellent promos available, including a weekly reload bonus. This enables 50% extra up to $750.

We love the slider functionality, which enables bettors to move the Puckline. There are also great options on the Total market. The Build Parlay function is also excellent and enables a same-game parlay to be compiled with ease. 

Bet99 NHL Betting

Bet on the Norris Trophy and other season awards markets such as the Rocket Richard Trophy at Bet99. In the Futures section, expect to find Stanley Cup betting, which updates after each round of matchups in the regular season and then postseason. Before you get involved, make sure to take advantage of the 100% welcome bonus up to $800 that is available.

It’s one of the bigger signup offers around, and there are some excellent payment options in place. We also like the 24/7 customer service available for Canadian players. This includes Live Chat where your query can be resolved quickly.

QuickWin NHL Betting

Get a 100% sports betting bonus up to $150 when you sign up with QuickWin. It’s great to get your first deposit matched and it means double bankroll for NHL betting. There’s also a 50% risk-free $100 available when you place an NHL same-game parlay, with a Cashback Bonus also a nice touch.

Boosted odds enable you to get the jump on this sportsbook on the various hockey matches. There are competitive odds for winner, handicap and total. Check out the markets for each of the different periods, and the Player Specials are also a nice touch.

How to Bet on NHL Norris Trophy 2026

It’s great to have the option to bet on the Norris Trophy at every step of the NHL season. The result is never completely known until the action is finished. We recommend signing up with leading Canadian sportsbooks to be in the best position. Tap through from Bookies.com and take a few minutes signing yourself up for a betting account and avail of top free bets offers.

When you have signed up, you can make a deposit choosing from the various payment options such as Interac. You can then use your funded balance to place real-money wagers. Head to the NHL Futures market, and you can see the shortlisted players and their accompanying odds. Tap on the odds at your chosen crypto betting site for the player you want to back.

Your selection is automatically added to a bet slip. You can then choose how much you would like to stake on this player to win the Norris Trophy. Once the best is confirmed, it gives you an interest in the market throughout the season.

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About the Author

Mark Fordham

More About Mark

Mark spent over a decade as a sports reporter and editor with Goal.com and Bleacher Report. He is now a Content Editor at Bookies.com covering all manner of sports from the Premier League and cricket to the NBA and NFL, and is our resident EPL tipster. Mark also has years of experience working with all things online casino, and knows a good one from a bad one.

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