NHL fans are spoiled with the amount of elite-level defenders we see on any given night, whether it’s the Colorado Avalanche’s Cale Makar, the Vancouver Canucks’ Quinn Hughes, or this season’s breakout star, the Columbus Blue Jackets’ Zach Werenski.

All three have been playing out of this world, but with Hughes missing 14 games this season with injuries, it’s Makar and Werenski who lead the way when it comes to the Norris Trophy race. Makar won the award in 2022 and has been one of the game’s best handful of players since then, but Werenski has stepped up his play this season, helping Columbus fight for what could be an unexpected playoff spot.

On Thursday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Frank Seravalli and Tyler Yaremchuk discuss the Norris Trophy odds, how good Werenski has been and if Makar can become just the second defenseman in the salary cap era to score 30 goals.

Tyler Yaremchuk: Cale Makar is currently the favorite in the Norris Trophy race, but Zach Werenski is right there with him. The two of them are far and away the No. 1 and No. 2 favorites in terms of the odds at Bet 365, and that’s because Quinn Hughes’ have taken him out of the race.

Let me ask you a loaded question, Frank: What do you make of Makar being the favorite, and what do you make of Werenski’s chances?

Frank Seravalli: Right now, if I were voting, I’d be voting for Werenski. I think the impact he’s had, the minutes he’s played. Look, Cale Makar is still otherworldly, but this season for Werenski took such a step forward, and he’s taken the Blue Jackets along for the ride in a year no one expected. For me, Werenski would be my top dog.

You can watch the full segment and the rest of the episode here…