When Cale Makar danced through the Winnipeg Jets for one of the prettiest postseason goals in franchise history, he pointed to the moment during the sequence when he felt luck was involved.
While Makar was en route to setting a franchise record for points by a defenseman and finishing third in the Norris Trophy voting, he repeatedly critiqued his performances. Where others see brilliance, the Avalanche superstar often sees a high standard he’s set for himself that hasn’t been met.
That’s part of why Makar has reached the top of the hockey world — an insatiable drive combined with a breathtaking collection of talent and skills.
“I felt like I was inconsistent at times (last year),” Makar said. “I was managing a lot of different things throughout the season, but that’s no excuse. At the same time, I just felt there were little lulls and I hadn’t experienced that before. I think it’s that mental mindset, focusing on that aspect. I think there’s a lot of little areas that I can improve in.
“I was pretty hard on myself a lot of times last year, and rightfully so. I expect a lot from myself, so I think I have another level.”
Makar has won the Norris Trophy, finishing second, first, third and third in the voting for the NHL’s top defenseman the past four seasons. He’s already a four-time NHL All-Star before his 26th birthday. He’s won the Conn Smythe Trophy and the Stanley Cup. He’s a lock, assuming good health, to play for Canada in the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off and the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.
So, what does another level even look like for Makar?
“It’s kind of funny to even think about it,” ESPN analyst Ray Ferraro said. “With the success he’s already had and what he’s accomplished, both individual and team-wise, it’s hard to picture what the ‘best’ season could look like.
“He’s the best defenseman in the game. As he plays more, it could be possible for him to be more aware, more comfortable. I don’t even know what a ceiling would be for him. I just think he’s an amazing player.”
Makar had 21 goals and 90 points in 77 games last season. He set a career-high with 28 goals in his Norris-winning season (2021-22). There are some statistical markers that Makar could reach that would be hallowed ground for defensemen.
Eight defensemen in NHL history have reached 30 goals in a season, and only Mike Green has done it in the past three decades, with Washington in 2008-09. Six have amassed 100 points in a season, with again just one (Erik Karlsson, with San Jose two years ago) achieving the feat since the early 1990s. To do both in the same season would join a club that currently has three members: Bobby Orr, Paul Coffey and Dennis Potvin.
“I think it’s a triple-digit point year if he stays healthy,” Avs defenseman Josh Manson said. “That’s not an easy thing to do, playing 27-30 minutes a night. He plays hard. He’s not out there floating. He skates fast, he plays physically. He wants to make a difference at both ends every night.”
Health is always going to be a key factor for Makar. He’s proven capable of producing incredible numbers while playing at less than 100 percent. He’s also never played more than 77 games in a season.
He’d probably have at least one more Norris in his trophy case if Makar hadn’t missed more than 20 percent of two seasons (2020-21 and 2022-23) with injuries. It’s also part of why Makar was critical of his play at times last season.
“It was just the inconsistency aspect of it,” he said. “There were times where I felt like the body was ready to go and the execution wasn’t there. Then there were times when the execution was there and the body wasn’t ready to go. For myself, it really just never felt like it clicked. There were a couple of times where I felt like I got rolling, in the playoffs it felt like it was coming together and that was exciting.
“I think everything is driven off my legs. I just think when my legs are connected to everything else, that’s when it’s fun to play. I felt like there were times last year when it just wasn’t there. Hopefully looking to find that this year, but that’s a big step for me.”
Nathan MacKinnon had what players might call “one of those years” for the Avalanche last season. He played in all 82 games for the first time since 2018-19. His shooting percentage (12.6%) was his highest since 2017-18. The fruits of all the labor he’s put in off the ice were harvested.
MacKinnon finished with 51 goals, 140 points and both the Hart Memorial Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award as the NHL’s most valuable player. With the right amount of health luck and consistency, Makar is going to have “one of those years” at some point this decade.
“At his best, he’s doing it every night,” MacKinnon said. “It’s not really about getting to another level, it is just doing it more. Obviously, you can get better, but it’s hard to get a lot better. The easiest thing is to be more consistent, but that takes a lot of discipline. I think Cale has tons of discipline, so he can do it.
“In 82 games, how many really good ones are you really going to have? You want it to be as high as possible, but it’s not going to be 82, that’s for sure. Hopefully, it’s in the 70s, or even 70 would be great. That’s the goal but some days just suck and you’re going to suck.”
Ferraro said he thinks it will be 30 goals and 100 points. Avs coach Jared Bednar said another level for Makar will be to get even better in his own zone, which will allow him to spend more time playing offense. The idea that it never really clicked for Makar in a season where he still accumulated 90 points should probably terrify opponents.
“I think for me, it is driving the play every night,” Makar said. “If Nate has a great season again and Mikko (Rantanen) does the same thing, I don’t think there’s any reason why I shouldn’t be up there. Points are not something I’m really focused on. I get more juice from the defensive aspects of the game, even if it doesn’t seem like it sometimes. Those guys push themselves, I push myself and I like to think I push them, so it’s kind of like a Ferris wheel that keeps going around.”
Makar already had an all-time great season, in terms of accomplishments. He won the Norris, Conn Smythe and Stanley Cup in 2022. The only other defensemen to do that are Bobby Orr and Nicklas Lidstrom, arguably the two best to play the position.
Orr did it twice, in 1970 and 1972, while Lidstrom accomplished the hat trick in 2002. Could Makar also win a Hart Trophy, like Orr did in both of those seasons? Only one defenseman has in the past five decades (Chris Pronger with St. Louis in 2000).
How could Makar top them all? Think internationally.
Lidstrom did not medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics. Orr was unable to play in the famed 1972 Summit Series between Canada and Russia. Makar could have a chance to find individual, team and international success in one season that we’ve never seen before.
“Cale’s already done it. I’m not suggesting (2022) will be his best year, but Cale has already set the bar extremely high,” TSN analyst Craig Button said. “He is unique, and I don’t think anyone would argue that he’s not the best defenseman on the planet. That being said, one of the things that great players do, is being at that great level year in and year out.
“Cale has been consistently at the top of the food chain for defensemen. To use an Olympics analogy, the high jump standard doesn’t increase by feet. It increases by centimeters in terms of what wins you a gold medal. But the bar is high. We don’t have to measure it in feet, but it’s how can he stay at that high bar and how can he nudge it just a little bit higher? I think Cale does that.”
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