As the Stanley Cup Playoffs progress, the National Hockey League has commenced the announcement of finalists for its major awards for the 2024-25 season.
On Tuesday, the league named the finalists for the Norris Trophy, an award presented to the league`s top defenseman. The three players nominated for this prestigious honor are Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche, Zach Werenski from the Columbus Blue Jackets, and Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks.
Quinn Hughes, the reigning Norris Trophy winner, followed up his previous season by leading the Canucks in both points (76) and assists (60) during the regular season. He finished 26 points ahead of the next highest scorer on his team. Only Erik Karlsson in the 2022-23 season had a larger point differential leading his team (34 points with the San Jose Sharks). This also marked the fourth consecutive season Hughes has reached the 60-point plateau, making him only the fourth defenseman in NHL history to achieve this consistent scoring feat.
Meanwhile, Cale Makar led all NHL defensemen across the board in points (92), goals (30), and assists (62). The Avalanche blue-liner previously earned the Norris Trophy for his outstanding play in the 2021-22 season. Zach Werenski also had a career-best performance, setting personal highs in points (82), goals (23), and assists (59). He became the first defenseman ever to lead the Columbus Blue Jackets in scoring. Should Werenski win the award, he would be the first player in the Blue Jackets franchise`s history to receive the Norris Trophy.
The remaining NHL Award finalists are scheduled to be announced daily throughout mid-May. The 2025 NHL Awards ceremony is planned for June 2025, although an exact date has not yet been announced.
Vezina Trophy
The Vezina Trophy is presented `to the goaltender adjudged to be the best at his position.`
- Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets)
- Darcy Kuemper (Los Angeles Kings)
- Andrei Vasilevskiy (Tampa Bay Lightning)
Norris Trophy
The Norris Trophy is given to `the defensive player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position.`
- Quinn Hughes (Vancouver Canucks)
- Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche)
- Zach Werenski (Columbus Blue Jackets)
