Colorado Hockey Team Avalanche News
Cale Makar's Stellar Performance Lands Him Among NHL Legends
Colorado Avalanche's shining star Cale Makar has etched his name among some of the greatest defensemen in NHL history. Makar's phenomenal skills have earned him the coveted Norris Trophy finalist status for the unbelievable fifth time in just six seasons.
Joining an exclusive club of defensive legends, Makar is in illustrious company with Bobby Orr, Brad Park, and Dennis Potvin, who achieved this feat in their early careers. The Norris Trophy, awarded annually to the league's top defenseman, has proven to be a dream within reach for Makar.
The other two finalists, Vancouver's Quinn Hughes and Zach Werenski of Columbus, will be contending alongside Makar. The league has yet to reveal the date for the announcement of the major awards.
In the current season, Makar shattered club records for a defenseman, with an impressive 30 goals and a staggering 92 points. This achievement marks the second consecutive year and third time in his career that Makar has reset the club standard for points at his position. Makar's 30-goal tally is a feat not seen since Mike Green's Washington Capitals stint in 2008-09.
Moreover, Makar is the first defenseman to record back-to-back 90-plus point seasons since legendary players Paul Coffey and Al MacInnis achieved this feat from 1989-1991. Makar outscored Werenski, who finished second, by an impressive margin of seven goals and ten points. The Calgary native also led all defensemen in power-play goals, power-play points and was the only one at his position to score two shorthanded goals.
Makar previously clinched the Norris Trophy in 2022. A second victory would make Makar the 14th player in league history to win the award twice. The only other active defenseman with multiple Norris wins is Pittsburgh's Erik Karlsson, who has claimed it a remarkable three times.
Keep up with all the latest Avalanche news by subscribing to our Breaking Avalanche News email alerts. By subscribing, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Want even more Avalanche news? Sign up for the Avalanche Insider to get all our comprehensive NHL analysis.
Fun fact: The three NHL defensemen who have been Norris Trophy finalists at least five times in their first six seasons are Bobby Orr (6x), Brad Park (5x), and Denis Potvin (5x)[1][2]. Makar now joins this select group following his fifth Norris Trophy nomination in six seasons during the 2024-25 campaign[1][4]. Makar's impressive career-highs this year include 30 goals and 92 points, marking the first 30-goal, 90-point season by a defenseman since Paul Coffey's 1988-89 season[4]. His outstanding offensive and defensive metrics, including a career-best 59.4 expected goals-for percentage (xGF%), further strengthen his Norris Trophy case[4].
Cale Makar, having been nominated for the Norris Trophy for the fifth time in six seasons, is now in the same elite company as Bobby Orr, Brad Park, and Denis Potvin, all of whom achieved this feat early in their careers. Makar's impressive season has seen him shatter club records, scoring an impressive 30 goals and amassing a staggering 92 points, making him the first defenseman to record back-to-back 90-plus point seasons since Paul Coffey and Al MacInnis. Makar outscored Quinn Hughes and Zach Werenski, the other Norris Trophy finalists, by a significant margin. By subscribing to our Breaking Avalanche News email alerts, you can stay updated on all the latest news about the Colorado Avalanche. Signing up for the Avalanche Insider will provide you with our comprehensive NHL analysis.
