Zach Werenski Wins Norris Trophy Despite Four Voters Omitting Him

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski continues to face an uphill battle for recognition, even after being awarded the 2026 Norris Trophy. Despite this prestigious accolade and his selection to the NHL’s first team, some media members and fans remain reluctant to acknowledge his contributions on the ice.

On Friday, the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association President Stephen Whyno released the full ballots for all awards, emphasizing the importance of transparency in the voting process. This release sparked discussions among fans and analysts alike about the Norris Trophy voting, particularly regarding the four ballots that completely omitted Werenski’s name.

Out of 198 ballots cast for the Norris Trophy, it’s startling to note that Werenski was not included on four of them. Former NHL goalie Jonathan Bernier, writing for Le Journal de Montréal, ranked Rasmus Dahlin, Moritz Seider, Miro Heiskanen, Cale Makar, and Lane Hutson, leaving Werenski off entirely. A SportsNet writer’s ballot featured Dahlin, Makar, Evan Bouchard, Jake Sanderson, and Seider, while a Minneapolis newspaper opted for Makar, Dahlin, Bouchard, Lane Hutson, and Quinn Hughes. Additionally, a publication from Utah listed Makar, Heiskanen, Dahlin, Erik Karlsson, and Seider.

While voters have the right to their opinions, the complete omission of Werenski, who is widely regarded as one of the top defensemen in the NHL by experts, invites scrutiny. Of the four voters who overlooked him, only one voted for players whose teams made the playoffs, raising questions about the criteria used in their selections. Notably, three of those ballots included Moritz Seider, whose team also missed the postseason.

Ultimately, the absence of those four votes did not impact the outcome, as Werenski won the Norris Trophy decisively. However, it would be intriguing to understand the reasoning behind the decision not to even acknowledge him with a fifth-place vote.

Looking ahead, the Columbus Blue Jackets are preparing for the NHL Draft on June 26 and 27 in Buffalo, where they hold the 14th overall pick. Fans will be eager to see how the team builds on its roster and addresses their needs in the upcoming draft.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.