Zach Werenski captured the 2025-26 James Norris Memorial Trophy after posting 81 points in 75 games, including 22 goals, while leading all defensemen in shots on goal and ranking near the top in average time on ice at over 26 minutes per contest. The Columbus Blue Jackets blueliner earned finalist status for the second straight season following a runner-up finish in 2024-25 voting by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association, outpacing fellow finalists Cale Makar and Rasmus Dahlin in the final tally. Trader consensus at near-certain levels aligns with these regular-season metrics and the league’s official announcement, though late roster or voting adjustments remain theoretically possible before formal presentation.