Was Quinn Hughes snubbed for Norris Trophy nomination?

The National Hockey League has revealed the three finalists for this season's Norris Trophy award, given to the league's best "all-around" defenseman. Despite a starring role for the Minnesota Wild, Quinn Hughes didn't make the cut.

Buffalo's Rasmus Dahlin, Colorado's Cale Makar, and Columbus' Zach Werenski were named finalists. Makar has previously won the award twice, in 2021-22 and 2024-25, and has finished in the top three every year except for his rookie season. Weresnki was runner-up last season, while Dahlin has never been in the top five in the Norris vote.

Hughes won the award with Vancouver in 2023-24 and finished third in voting last season. How he was left off the list this season after registering 76 points (7 goals, 69 assists) may initially appear to be a massive snub, but the numbers say otherwise.

In fact, Edmonton's Evan Bouchard has a stronger argument for being snubbed.

Hughes has the edge over Dahlin in points, but he was outdone in that category, as was everybody else in this conversation, by Bouchard. The Edmonton star led all defensemen with 95 points (21 goals, 74 assists).

Points

• Evan Bouchard - 95 (21 goals, 74 assists)
• Zach Werenski - 81 (22 goals, 59 assists)
• Cale Makar - 79 (20 goals, 59 assists)
• Quinn Hughes - 76 (7 goals, 69 assists)
• Rasmus Dahlin - 72 (19 goals, 55 assists)

Defensively, the analytics continue to paint the picture that, individually, Hughes was just a slight step below the finalists this season. In terms of On Ice Goals Against per 60, Hughes was last among the five players, at 3.4 per 60 minutes. He was also last in Expected Goals Against (xGA) and High Danger Chances Allowed, two key statistics that judge a player's ability to limit opposition chances.

On Ice Goals Allowed per 60

• Cale Makar - 2.4
• Rasmus Dahlin - 2.8
• Evan Bouchard - 3.1
• Zach Werenski - 3.1
• Quinn Hughes - 3.4

xGA

• Cale Makar - 58.2
• Rasmus Dahlin - 62.4
• Evan Bouchard - 65.7
• Zach Werenski - 70.7
• Quinn Hughes 73.7

High Danger Chances Allowed

• Rasmus Dahlin - 257
• Evan Bouchard - 264
• Cale Makar - 266
• Zach Werenski - 272
• Quinn Hughes - 344

Overall, Hughes had a very good season. Upon joining the Wild in December, he helped turn Minnesota from a pretty good playoff team into a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. He has continued that strong play in the postseason, where he's tied with Kirill Kaprizov for the team lead in points (11).

Hughes and Minnesota trail Colorado two games to none in the conference semifinals, with Game 3 at Grand Casino Arena on Saturday night.