Updated Norris Trophy Odds: Can Josi Edge Out Makar For NHL Top Defenseman Down the Stretch?
- Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche remains the -225 odds-on favorite to win the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s best defenseman
- Nashville Predators captan Roman Josi is within striking distance at +150
- No other rearguard is showing shorter odds than +1100
Throughout the NHL season, the Norris Trophy has looked to be Cale Makar’s to lose. For the first time during the 2021-22 campaign, it appears that there is a chance Makar could lose it. Colorado Avalanche defenseman Makar maintains status as the chalk to win. He is listed as the -225 odds-on favorite in the Norris Trophy odds.
However, there’s been a seismic shift that’s brought Roman Josi of the Nashville Predators within striking distance of Makar. Josi is the second betting choice at +150.
Norris Trophy Odds
| Player (Team) | Odds |
|---|---|
| Cale Makar (Avalanche) | -225 |
| Roman Josi (Predators) | +150 |
| Victor Hedman (Lightning) | +1100 |
| Adam Fox (Rangers) | +5000 |
| John Carlson (Capitals) | +8000 |
| Devon Toews (Avalanche) | +8000 |
| Aaron Ekblad (Panthers) | +10000 |
| Miro Heiskanen (Stars) | +10000 |
| Charlie McAvoy (Bruins) | +10000 |
| Quinn Hughes (Canucks) | +15000 |
| Seth Jones (Blackhawks) | +15000 |
| Kris Letang (Penguins) | +15000 |
| Morgan Rielly (Maple Leafs) | +15000 |
| Jaccob Slavin (Hurricanes) | +15000 |
| Rasmus Dahlin (Sabres) | +20000 |
| Moritz Seider (Red Wings) | +20000 |
| MacKenzie Weegar (Panthers) | +20000 |
Odds as of April 7th at Barstool Sportsbook
Josi won the Norris Trophy following the 2019-20 season.
Ontario sports betting apps are offering Norris Trophy odds now after launching on April 4th.
Cale Makar Norris Trophy Betting Odds & Outlook
Makar was runner-up to 2021 Norris Trophy winner Adam Fox of the New York Rangers. He opened the current campaign as the +500 chalk in the Norris Trophy odds.
Makar hasn’t relinquished his favorite’s role all season long. On March 10 he was assigned his shortest odds. Bookmakers were offering the Colorado rearguard at a betting line of -305.
Cale Makar (75) and Devon Toews (50) are the first defensive duo in @Avalanche / Nordiques history to each tally 50 points in a season.
Last blueline duo in @NHL was in 2017-18: NSH (Subban/Josi) TOR (Gardiner/Rielly) and MIN (Suter/Dumba) pic.twitter.com/NCgqWqKeGc
— Brendan McNicholas (@bmcnich) April 3, 2022
The Avalanche are the favorites in the Stanley Cup odds and Makar is a big reason why that is so. Makar leads all NHL defensemen with 24 goals. That’s a single-season franchise record for a defenseman. It’s also the most by an NHL blueliner since Brent Burns had 29 for the San Jose Shark in 2016-17 .
Makar ranks second among NHL defensemen with 75 points, the second most by a rearguard in Avs franchise history.
Roman Josi Norris Trophy Betting Odds & Outlook
Josi wasn’t even on the Norris Trophy radar this season until he absolutely ignited during the month of March. On March 10, Josi’s Norris Trophy odds were +1750.
Then he collected points in 13 of Nashville’s 14 games during the month. Suddenly, the Norris chase was a horse race.
Josi was named the NHL’s First Star of the Month for the month of March, the first such honor of his career. He led the NHL with 32 points (4-28) during the month.
◽️ Roman Josi
◽️ Cale Makar
◽️ Victor HedmanAll 32 NHL coaches dish to @PierreVLeBrun on their Norris Trophy ballots:https://t.co/XpDt6j0CRY pic.twitter.com/j4kAUnBOBC
— The Athletic NHL (@TheAthleticNHL) April 4, 2022
Josi has established career highs in goals (19), assists (65) and points (84). His 65 assists are the most in a season in Predators history. Josi’s 84 points are the most by a defenseman in a season in team history.
Josi shares the lead among NHL defensemen in power-play points with 33 (9-24). He leads all NHL defensemen in power-play goals.
Best Norris Trophy Pick
With 169 points in 167 games, Makar (1.01) is one of four blueliners in NHL history to average a point-per-game in their career (minimum 100 games played). The others are Bobby Orr (1.39), Harry Cameron (1.10) and Paul Coffey (1.09).
Josi is just the second NHL defensemen to record at least 84 points in a season since 1995-96. Brian Leetch collected 85 points for the Rangers in 1995-96. Josi was the first defenseman to outright lead the NHL in scoring during a month since Coffey in February 1990. He’s just the third defenseman in NHL history to accumulate at least 28 points in a calendar month, joining Coffey (three times) and Orr (two times).
Cale Makar and Roman Josi are each closing in on historic milestones for defensemen.
Which blueliner should take home the Norris? 🤔🏆 pic.twitter.com/bEo6NmHi8S
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) March 31, 2022
The Norris is still Makar’s to lose. However, if Josi gets to 100 points – something no NHL defenseman has accomplished since the 1991-92 season and five have done in league history – all bets are off. But he’ll need 16 points over Nashville’s final 13 games to join the century club.
Pick: Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche (-225)
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An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
