Why Evan Bouchard's Norris trophy snub is hard to justify

The NHL has named Rasmus Dahlin, Cale Makar and Zach Werenski as the finalists for the 2025-26 Norris trophy, sparking widespread debate among fans and analysts.1 Edmonton Oilers defenceman Evan Bouchard, who led all blueliners with 95 points in 82 games, was conspicuously absent from the list.2 This omission has drawn sharp criticism, with Bouchard himself expressing frustration over the snub.3

Bouchard’s campaign was historic, marking him as the ninth defenceman in league history to reach 20 goals and 95 points in a season. While the finalists delivered strong performances, his overall impact raises questions about the selection process. For a deeper look at Edmonton’s challenging 2025-26 season, context reveals even more about his contributions.

Bouchard’s offensive dominance

Bouchard topped all defencemen with 95 points, including 21 goals and 74 assists, outpacing Werenski by 14 points.4 This edge held firm even as others like Werenski neared full seasons. His production extended beyond power plays, leading defencemen in even-strength points with 60.

He ranked second among blueliners in Wins Above Replacement at 4.23, trailing only Werenski’s 4.56.5 Dahlin and Makar lagged far behind at 2.30 and 2.15, respectively. WAR underscores Bouchard’s value beyond raw scoring.

Historically, the league’s top-scoring defenceman rarely misses finalist status. The last full-season exception was Lubomir Visnovsky in 2010-11, who finished fourth in voting. Barrie’s 2020-21 case was in a shortened year.

Bouchard’s numbers demand recognition, even if the Norris emphasizes all-around play. His 95 points set a benchmark that finalists couldn’t match.

This offensive output powered the Oilers’ attack, complementing stars like Connor McDavid. As Edmonton eyes the 2026 offseason, Bouchard’s reliability stands out.

Defensive misconceptions

A narrative of defensive lapses has dogged Bouchard, fueled by highlight-reel mistakes. Yet, underlying metrics show scoring chances against him align closely with finalists, per naturalstattrick.com data.

Edmonton’s goaltending hampered his stats, with a .889 save percentage at 5-on-5 during his shifts. Finalists enjoyed .900-plus support from their netminders. This context flips the script on perceived weaknesses.

Bouchard logged heavy minutes, nearly 25 per game across situations. He possessed the puck more than peers, inevitable for a play-driver facing top matchups.

He expanded to the penalty kill, leading Oilers defencemen in shorthanded ice time. Edmonton ranked 20th on the PK, but his deployment outpaced Dahlin and Werenski.

Advanced stats reveal no massive gaps. Turnovers come with the territory for high-event defencemen trusted in all zones.

Voters may overlook this nuance, sticking to surface-level clips. Bouchard’s growth in defensive trust speaks volumes.

Comparing to the finalists

Werenski’s 4.56 WAR edged Bouchard, bolstered by Columbus’s structure. Yet, Bouchard’s even-strength lead persists despite fewer full games from rivals.

Dahlin and Makar dazzle with skating flair, but their WAR trails significantly. Bouchard’s steadier output on a flawed Oilers defence merits equal billing.

Here’s a quick comparison of key stats:

Stylistic biases favor dynamic rushers over Bouchard’s shot-first approach. Still, results matter most.

Oilers management highlighted the snub, echoing fan backlash. Bouchard noted it “stings,” fueling motivation.6

What this means moving forward

Bouchard’s snub highlights voter tendencies toward narrative over numbers. While finalists shone—Makar repeating strong form, Dahlin carrying Buffalo, Werenski elevating Columbus—his case was compelling.

For more on NHL awards, see the official finalists announcement.1 Check WAR leaders here.5

Edmonton enters playoffs and offseason with Bouchard as a cornerstone. Expect him to use this as fuel, potentially silencing critics next year. The Norris conversation may resume sooner than later.