https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7028020/2026/02/10/nhl-awards-watch-mackinnon-makar/
"Moritz Seider: the defensive choice
His point pace may have slowed down a touch (seven points in his last 15), but Seider’s elite defense is still the draw here. Seider’s 57.7 percent xG rate leads the top candidates, a direct result of allowing just 2.22 expected goals against per 60, an impressive mark given his usage. Seider’s relative impact at five-on-five is among the highest in the league. Many always clamor for a defensive defenseman to get more Norris consideration; in the analytics era there’s never been a better choice than Seider. That he still ranks second in total value with defense being his primary driver is unheard-of."
26 comments
As much as I love my Moe. This should Werenski’s Norris to lose this year. He’s a an absolute tear on a terrible team.
I’m so glad that Mo’s defensive play is being recognized this much at the national level. He’s been an absolute pleasure to watch develop.
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As always with these things, not sure how they calculate the numbers, but all I know is Mo is twice as good as Kale on *defense*. Ya know… the name of the position. Defenseman… defense.
Get these 4th forwards outta here
I’ve always liked Jake Sanderson, but I did not realize how balanced his game seems to be for a ranking like this. Super impressive.
If all things keep going the way they’re going, I don’t see how this isn’t a werenski Norris year. Dude is playing on arguably a worse team than Detroit and still playing insane.
His only realistic chance at it is being near a point per game in the final stretch
Good for our boy, I’m not sure he’s having a better season than werenski but he’s definitely been a beast this year.
I would say this isn’t so much “odds” as it is analytical stats-based “deservedness.” Definitely great to see the recognition. I have a feeling the finalists will end up Makar, Werenski, and Hughes again because people like a good narrative (Hughes moving ups his odds) and defensive defensemen aren’t a sexy pick.
I’d love to see what Mo could do with more offensive zone starts and with a Wings team that can actually produce at 5v5.
And yet again, we see the need for a Selke version of the Norris. The best offensive defenseman should be the Bobby Orr Trophy.
They need to split the D award to best defensive D and offensive D.
Top defensive defenseman, and still solid on offense as well
Having a negative defense rating but still being considered for the Norris is an absolute joke.
Anyone know how well Seiders net rating compares to Lidstrom’s? Do they have stats like this for former players?
But #1 in our hearts
The issue for Seider is that Makar is generationally offensively good and pacing to be one of the great offensive guys of all time. And he defends at a strong enough level where it’s not like Mike Green.
Lane Hutson super chads in shambles right now…
Darren Raddysh has 52 points?
And all national broadcasts can talk about is twilight era Kane. 🙄
Not odds because sportsbooks have him 7th-10th betting wise to win Norris but regardless 2nd best overall analytically I’ll take it
How much does overall team winning go into Norris trophy? Like a decent amount? If the wings get hot I think it is possible. But it seems early. No offense to him but he will have his chances later on.
Maybe Mo will be the defenseman to finally shift the perspective from “Hart defenseman” trophy to actually valuing solid defensive play. I haven’t seen a defender so dominant in a long time.
Crazy the guy with the highest “defensive rating” is 2nd in the best DEFENDER award
I said earlier that Seider was a much better defenseman than Queen Hughes and basically I got laughed at.
Hot take but Makar is just a really good forward playing defense
Fuck yeah