Bouchard Overlooked in First Norris Trophy Poll of Season
Evan Bouchard has opened the 2026-27 season with four goals and eight points in three games, leading all NHL defencemen in scoring. Despite this, he received only seven voting points in NHL.com's first Norris Trophy tracker, ranking seventh. The article argues his even-strength production and overall impact show he deserves more recognition in the award race.
Evan Bouchard, an Edmonton Oilers defenceman, began 2026-27 with four goals and eight points in three contests. That total paced all NHL blueliners and trailed only Connor McDavid league-wide. He also set a league first for defencemen by reaching eight points in his club’s opening two games, then earned NHL Second Star of the Week honors.
Despite that, NHL.com’s initial Norris tracker placed him seventh. Its 16 voters gave him seven points, while Cale Makar topped the list at 70. Last season, Bouchard’s 95 points led defencemen, 14 ahead of Zach Werenski, and he finished fourth in Norris voting.
This story could shape how fans, analysts, and award voters discuss defensive value, especially for players on high-scoring teams. Early rankings may influence reputation and future coverage, potentially affecting Bouchard’s standing in the Norris race. It may also prompt broader debate about whether point totals, even-strength play, and defensive metrics are weighed fairly. The impact could remain limited to hockey discourse, though it could matter to the player, Oilers supporters, and media narratives.