Cale Makar had a monster 2023-2024 Season with the Colorado Avalanche. He had 69 assists and 90 points, the most by an Avalanche defenseman in a single season. Thanks to his amazing season, he now ranks first among defensemen in franchise history in career goals and assists in both the regular season and playoffs. That’s impressive, considering the Avalanche have had legendary defensemen like Adam Foote play for them.
Makar is putting himself in some amazing ranks with legends like Paul Coffey. He posted 0.75 assists per game for the fourth straight season, becoming the first defenseman in league history to do so since Hall of Famer Coffey accomplished it from 1981-82 to 1995-96.
His 1.11 points-per-game in the playoffs for his career is the second-best mark among blueliners, trailing only Hall of Famer Bobby Orr (1.24). In his regular-season career, Makar’s 1.07 points-per-game is third among defenders in league history behind Coffey (1.09) and Orr (1.39). This is for players who have played a minimum of 300 games in their careers.
Entering the 2024-2025 season, he is 14 goals from 100 for his career, 50 assists from 300, and 64 points from 400. He’s also 79 points from 14th on the franchise’s all-time scoring list and 93 points from passing now-Dallas Stars forward Matt Duchene for 13th place in Avalanche history.
Avalanche Projected 2024-2025 Defensive Pairings
DALLAS, TEXAS – MAY 07: Valeri Nichushkin #13 celebrates with Artturi Lehkonen #62 and Cale Makar #8 of the Colorado Avalanche after scoring during the second period against the Dallas Stars in Game One of the Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center on May 07, 2024, in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
Line 1: (LD) Devon Toews – (RD) Cale Makar
Line 2: (LD) Samuel Girard – (RD) Josh Manson
Line 3: Calvin De Haan – (RD) Erik Brannstrom
Makar is once again going to be paired with Devon Toews. These are only projections, but there is no reason to believe otherwise.
Devon Toews called Makar the “best in the world by a longshot”.
It’s easy sometimes with him. Yeah, like you said, he’s the best in the world right now, by a longshot, in my opinion, so it’s fun to play with him. It’s fun to watch him. His ability to create offense all on his own is something that a lot of D-men don’t have,”
The Islanders traded Devon Toews to the Colorado Avalanche in the 2020 offseason in exchange for second-round draft selections in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft and the 2022 Draft. This trade has changed the Avalanche in so many ways. Toews is an elite defenseman and a perfect partner for their Superstar, Cale Makar.
Makar signed a massive six-year deal with the Colorado Avalanche worth $54,000,000. His current contract carries an annual average salary of $9,000,000.
Makar’s 2024-2025 season will be the fourth of six seasons under this contract. There’s a very strong chance he’ll be extended before it expires for a higher AAV. It could even be the highest in NHL history for a defenseman.
Final Thoughts on Cale Makar
NHL.com has Cale Makar ranked 11th overall in their Fantasy Hockey rankings, number one overall for defenseman.
1. Connor McDavid, C, EDM
2. Nathan MacKinnon, C, COL
3. Nikita Kucherov, RW, TBL
4. Auston Matthews, C, TOR
5. David Pastrnak, RW, BOS
6. Leon Draisaitl, C/LW, EDM
7. Artemi Panarin, LW, NYR
8. Mikko Rantanen, RW, COL
9. Brady Tkachuk, C/LW, OTT
10. Sidney Crosby, C, PIT
11. Cale Makar, D, COL
Two Colorado Avalanche teammates are ahead of Makar, Reigning Hart Trophy winner Nathan Mackinnon, and Finnish superstar Mikko Rantanen.
The next Defensman ranked behind Makar is Vancouver Canucks star Quinn Hughes at 16.
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