He has been a Norris finalist each of the past five seasons, also winning in 2021-22, and is the only active defenseman to average at least a point per game throughout his NHL career. Makar (1.09 points per game) is tied with Paul Coffey for second in NHL history behind only Bobby Orr (1.39).
“He’s the closest to Bobby Orr I’ve seen, and I never put anybody there,” retired New Jersey Devils defenseman and current NHL Network analyst Ken Daneyko said last season. “I used to watch a lot of Bobby Orr because I loved him as an 8-year-old, 7-year-old. He changed the game, revolutionized the game, Bobby Orr did. Nobody greater. And Cale Makar is the closest thing to that.”
Makar leads Colorado in blocked shots (73) and takeaways (25) while averaging 4:30 of ice time on the power play and 2:00 of ice time while short-handed per game. To him, there is still more to come.
“I think this is a good way to start the season,” Makar said after he had two goals and an assist in a 6-3 win against the New York Rangers on Nov. 20. “I still think I got more in the tank individually and the good thing is, I think our team has a lot more in the tank, too.”
Voting totals (points awarded on a 5-4-3-2-1-basis): Cale Makar, Avalanche, 80 points (16 first-place votes); Zach Werenski, Blue Jackets, 57; Miro Heiskanen, Stars, 37; Quinn Hughes, Minnesota Wild, 22; Moritz Seider, Detroit Red Wings, 12; Lane Hutson, Montreal Canadiens, 12; Jakob Chychrun, Capitals, 11; Josh Morrissey, Winnipeg Jets, 3; Evan Bouchard, Edmonton Oilers, 3; Matthew Schaefer, New York Islanders, 2; John Carlson, Washington Capitals, 1
