2024-25 NHL Norris Trophy Odds and Predictions

There are numerous NHL awards you can bet on right now, and there may not be a better time to do it. 

The 2024-25 Stanley Cup odds have already fluctuated quite a bit in just the past month alone, and that could keep happening to all of these NHL betting markets.

That’s especially true once the season finally arrives. The good news? There is a lot of value with these awards, as there is typically one clear favorite, but the favorite doesn’t always win.

I already broke down the 2024-25 Hart Trophy odds, which naturally focuses on the league’s MVP. It’s usually the top offensive player, but this time we’re giving a nod to the stud defensemen in professional hockey.

Quinn Hughs got the honor last season, but is he a threat to repeat? Let’s take a look at the current James Norris Memorial Trophy odds and come away with a prediction.

2024-25 NHL Norris Trophy Odds

The latest NHL odds to win the 2024-25 Norris Trophy can be found at BetUS.

Last year’s Norris Trophy winner (Hughes) is not the top favorite for 2024-25. That’s fine by me, as you get insane value with him at his +800 price tag if you think he can win again.

Cale Makar is the favorite, as he’s part of a good Colorado Avalanche team that won 50 games a year ago. Makar won the award in 2021-22 and has by far the best odds and has finished inside the top three in Norris Trophy voting in three straight seasons.

Is this betting market down to just two defensemen? It’s possible, but it’s also worth noting that three more players have odds at +800, and four additional players are priced at +2000 or better.

That may be as deep as bettors will want to dog, but there could be even more value than that.

Let’s first explore Makar’s case to win the Norris Trophy award, and then gauge what other contenders are viable bets behind him.

Why is Cale Makar Favored to Win the 2024-25 Norris Trophy?

Makar is undeniably one of the most talented defensemen in the NHL. He had 90 points in 2023 and paced all defensemen in points per game (1.17). 

Being on a strong Colorado squad only aids Makar’s case. His fluid style and speed should continue to keep him at the front of the pack, and bettors shouldn’t ignore that he missed out on his second Norris Trophy last year by just two points.

This award is one that doesn’t equate to a lot of repeat winners in successive years, too. There hasn’t been anyone to accomplish that since the great Nicklas Lidstrom won three in a row from 2005-2008.

Since then, the NHL has produced a new Norris Trophy winner every year. Add in Makar’s talent and how close he’s been to securing this hardware for a second time, and it’s hard not to like him for 2024.

The only real issue? His price isn’t super comforting. His +250 odds definitely suggest he’s a fairly safe favorite compared to the field, but you’re only getting back $250 for every $100 you risk at your favorite hockey betting sites.

Top 2024-25 NHL Norris Trophy Contenders

Makar looks like a good bet at most online betting sites, but his +250 Norris Trophy odds leave a little to be desired. 

That brings me to some viable contenders, starting with last year’s winner of this award, Quinn Hughes.

Quinn Hughes +800

I know I already argued that you don’t see repeat winners for the Norris Trophy very often, but Hughes has such a nice price that bettors may want to throw caution to the wind here.

Hughes narrowly secured the award in 2023, but he’s good enough to run it back. He was part of a strong Vancouver Canucks defense (just 223 goals allowed), and he actually had more points than Makar with 92.

He was a big reason for their success last year, and he has them in contention to win the Pacific Division this year, too.

Hughes was also pretty active as a playmaker, ranking 4th in the NHL with 75 assists (first among defensemen) You will undeniably want to keep the focus on his defensive play to a certain degree, but it’s clear that Hughes is the total package.

He edged out Makar last year for good reason, as the two were at the very least comparable. At best, Hughes was simply the better player, as he had more assists and more total points.

It’s tough to imagine Hughes winning back-to-back James Norris Memorial Trophy awards, but his price demands we consider him.

Adam Fox +800

There are a few other hockey players priced at +800, but the only other one in that range of odds I really have my eye on is Adam Fox.

He’s another talented defenseman that has claimed this hardware before, winning with the New York Rangers back in 2020-21. Fox didn’t quite compare to Makar or Hughes in 2023, but he was still a rock solid player on a very good team.

That’s actually putting it lightly, as the Rangers won 55 games a year ago, finishing with the best record during the regular season. New York didn’t meet expectations come playoff time, but they still boasted a strong defense (229 goals allowed), and they got solid play from Fox.

On the year, Fox ranked fourth in points per game played, while he also recorded 56 assists and notched 17 goals. He’s another guy that offers the total package and his +800 odds are solid.

When compared to Makar and Hughes, though, I definitely would rank him third.

Roman Josi +1200

One last Norris Trophy contender I am high on is Josi. He’s another former winner of this award, having nabbed the coveted defenseman honor back in 2019-20.

It’s been a bit since he won, but he’s remained one of the NHL’s best defensive players. We were all reminded of that again last year, as he was a key cog in a Nashville Predators unit that won 47 games and allowed just 248 goals on the year.

Their defense wasn’t quite as stout as some of the other candidate’s was, but Josi himself is a stellar talent who continues to play good hockey.

Last year, he finished fifth in assists with 62, and notched more goals (23) than any other defenseman. He also wasn’t far from first in total points (85), and ranked third in points per game.

All of this sounds pretty good, right? Indeed, and the 34-year old offers the best price of all these Norris Trophy challengers.

He’s getting a bit up there in age and Nashville isn’t as stingy as his competition, but at +1200, I don’t mind taking the plunge.

Best 2024-25 Norris Trophy Value Bet

I think you’re getting enough betting value with the top contenders outside of Makar. Heck, even the top favorite still comes in at plus money, so it’s not all bad.

However, this award seems to change hands regularly, so stretching your neck for a bit more value isn’t the worst idea. If you are seeking that out, I think two guys really stand out; Josh Morrissey and Victor Hedman.

Morrissey has the better price tag at +3500, but Hedman is just as good with +3000 Norris Trophy odds. Both are in play, but I’ll admit Hedman feels like the safer bet.

That said, Morrissey plays for an elite Winnipeg Jets defense. He’s a big reason they’re so successful on that end of the ice, and he’s put up strong individual numbers, too.

Morrissey has yet to win a Norris Trophy award, but he could be closing in on one. Last year we saw him rack up 69 points with 59 assists and 10 goals. He wasn’t quite the offensive stalwart as some of his competition, but he had a +34 plus/minus, which ranked fifth in the league.

There’s also Hedman, who finished fifth in points in 2023, and also had 13 goals and 63 assists. 

As I said, he doesn’t offer quite as much upside as Morrissey – nor does he remind me of The Smiths – but he’s the more realistic bet between the two.

2024-25 Norris Trophy Winner Prediction

Makar is not a bad bet, but in what is such a tough field to predict, he doesn’t offer enough bang for your buck. He could easily win this award for a second time, but you could say the same about several of these candidates.

He’s a fine try, but I prefer a little more value, and that brings me to Josi.

Like most of the top Norris Trophy contenders, he’s a former winner of the award, and he’s capable of winning once again in 2024.

Josi is a better goal scorer than everyone else detailed in this guide, and if his Predators can get a little bit better as a whole defensively, it might make him look better.

Ultimately, he just feels like the best bet when you look at talent, production, and price.

Bet: Roman Josi +1200

Recent Norris Trophy Winners