IS CALE MAKAR A TOP 3 PLAYER?

Evan Davis

In the 2016-2017 the Avalanche finished with just 42 points in the regular season and were granted the 4th overall pick in the draft. With that pick, they selected Cale Makar, and the franchise forever changed. Makar joined the team during their 2019 playoff run and had 6 points in 10 games.

His skill set allowed him to be a permanent member of the team during the 2019-2020, where he had 50 points in 57 games and 15 points in 15 playoff games. An incredible first year for the rookie defenseman won him the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie. Fast forward to today and Cale Makar is still dominating the NHL as he potted 28 goals to go along with 86 points.

The way he controls the pace of the game with his speed is something we don’t really see too often, and his offensive dominance so early in his career is something we haven’t really seen since Bobby Orr. For this reason I do believe that Cale Makar is a top 3 player in the NHL. My list would go; 1.) Connor McDavid, 2.) Auston Matthews, 3.) Cale Makar.

Once Makar picks up the puck teams have to be aware of where he is going because he can go coast to coast within a matter of seconds. Not only is he gifted on offense, his defensive ability is also very impressive. His speed allows for him to join the rush on offense while also being able to back check back on defense.

His 26 points so far in these playoffs are the most by a defenseman in Avalanche playoff history, and he actually broke that record in the Western Conference Finals. He currently leads the club in points and has been a huge reason they are currently up 2-1 in the Cup Final vs the back-to-back Stanley Cup Champs in the Tampa Bay Lightning.

His control of the game has definitely got the Lightning on their toes. If the Avalanche do indeed win the Stanley Cup, Cale Makar should without a doubt win the Conn Smythe, which is the MVP of the Stanley Cup Final.

Makar recently inked a 6 year/$54,000,000 extension with the club this past offseason and it’s looking like an absolute steal of a deal. Someone of his caliber should be making no less than $10 million a year and his team friendly deal has allowed for the Avalanche to hopefully resign Nathan Mackinnon, Andre Burakovsky, Valeri Nichushkin, Josh Manson, and possibly Jack Johnson. It will allow for the club to consistently be a Cup contender for numerous years to come.