Cale Makar wins second Norris Trophy continuing path to all-time great status ...Middle East

Cale Makar’s current path, which leads directly to the Hockey Hall of Fame, has been illuminated by incredible, highlight-reel moments.

But a huge reason why he is one of the best players in the world — and ultimately could end up as one of the best defensemen in the history of the sport — is all the moments that don’t leave observers exhilarated and struck with awe.

Makar was named the Norris Trophy winner for the second time in his career on Wednesday morning, cementing his place as the best defenseman in the NHL right now. He had gaudy numbers this season, which were the biggest part of his case for the award. His consistency and his ability to make hard plays look routine is also part of the Makar experience.

“Typically the best — like a Tom Brady — were amazingly consistent at executing the fundamentals and simplicities at an extraordinary rate,” said Jon Goyens, a longtime youth coach who now analyzes the sport for TSN, Daily Faceoff and elsewhere.

“I believe for all of the extraordinary skills that he possesses, his ability to make a 5-8 foot pass under pressure looks as skillful as an 80-foot saucer pass.”

Makar led all NHL defensemen with 30 goals and 92 points this season. He became the first player at his position to hit the 30-goal plateau since Washington’s Mike Green did it in 2008-09. He’s also the first defenseman to score 90 points in back-to-back seasons since Paul Coffey and Al MacInnis did it in 1989-90 and 1990-91.

Still just 26 years old, Makar is now one of 14 players in league history to have won the Norris as the league’s top defenseman twice. Eleven guys on the list are in the hall of fame, while Erik Karlsson and Duncan Keith will soon join them. Keith could do so later this month when the 2025 class is announced.

Makar finds his way onto a short list of all-time legends with regularity because he’s doing things at the position that have rarely been seen.

“To me, he is as close as the game has to Bobby Orr,” TNT analyst and former NHL goalie Brian Boucher said. “I only watched clips of Orr and not live games, but I do know that he changed the way we think about the way a defenseman can play. Makar, Quinn Hughes, and, to a newer extent, Lane Hutson, have really elevated the idea that a defenseman can be everywhere and do everything.

“In the time I played, there weren’t all that many that played like this. Ray Bourque and Brian Leetch come to mind. Today, it feels like there are more than I can remember and Makar may be the headliner.”

Makar was the first player in Avs franchise history to win the Norris, and he now joins Karlsson as the only active players with more than one. He is rewriting the Avalanche/Nordiques record book at his position.

He now has the three highest point totals for defensemen. Makar established new standards in goals (28) and points (86) in 2021-22, en route to his first Norris win and a Conn Smythe Trophy as the Stanley Cup Playoffs MVP.

A new team record in points (90) came last year, even when Makar wasn’t pleased with how his season went. The standard he holds himself to, and his drive for perfection, are part of his DNA.

“He is a Formula One racer amongst the Ricky Bobbys of NASCAR,” Goyens said. “Speed and elusive, but with tremendous poise — an engine that just won’t quit and when it seems like the tank is almost empty, he remains poised.”

Makar won the Norris, as voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association, ahead of Hughes and Zach Werenski. Hughes won last year and should continue to be one of Makar’s top rivals for the award in the years to come. Werenski had a wonderful season, but this was his first time as a finalist.

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Makar and Hughes are pretty clearly the two best in the sport right now, and both are well on their way to being considered among the all-time greats.

Multiple Norris wins and a Conn Smythe put Makar in yet another small group of legends. He joins Orr, Leetch, Keith, Larry Robinson and Nicklas Lidstrom.

There are only nine players in league history who have won the Norris three times, and only four — Orr, Lidstrom, Doug Harvey and Bourque — who have more than three. That could be the inner circle of legends where Makar’s path is eventually headed.

“I believe he could easily be considered amongst the top 3-5 greatest of all time,” Goyens said.

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