Makar, who is 27, has been a Norris finalist each of the past five seasons, and in addition to winning it twice (2022, 2025), has won the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie (2020), the Conn Smythe as MVP of the Stanley Cup Playoffs and the Stanley Cup (2022).
“Obviously I’m really new here, but he’s a really special guy,” 22-year NHL defenseman Brent Burns told Altitude Sports Radio before the season. “I spent some time with him just trying to pick his brain on different things. Just super kind and loves the game. I’ve always tried to learn something but obviously he’s a guy that you can learn so much from. … He’s got God-given talents that are just crazy, just the way he can skate and move.”
Makar also has helped the Avalanche, who have won nine in a row, to the best record in the NHL standings. They have one regulation loss through 22 games (16-1-5).
“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, Colorado Avalanche, 80 points (16 first-place votes); Josh Morrissey, Winnipeg Jets, 46; Miro Heiskanen, Dallas Stars, 30; Quinn Hughes, Vancouver Canucks, 29; Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets, 21; Matthew Schaefer, New York Islanders, 9; Adam Fox, New York Rangers, 7; Charlie McAvoy, Boston Bruins, 6; Lane Hutson, Montreal Canadiens, 4; Jacob Trouba, Anaheim Ducks, 4; Erik Karlsson, Pittsburgh Penguins, 2; Mikhail Sergachev, Utah Mammoth, 1; Simon Nemec, New Jersey Devils, 1
NHL.com independent correspondent Bruce Miles contributed to this report