Few players saw their stock rise as quickly in recent months as an NHL draft prospect than defenseman Cale Makar. Friday night, with the fourth pick in the first round of the draft in Chicago, the Avalanche made Makar its property.
Colorado wanted and needed a defenseman in this draft, and it might have found the best one available in the Alberta Junior Hockey League player. Sure, every team says that about their first-round picks, but the Avs believe they have a future star on their hands for years to come on the back end with Makar.
Makar and Finnish player Miro Heiskanen were considered the top two D-men available in the draft, but Avs chief scout Alan Hepple tipped the club’s hand a bit earlier this week when asked to compare the two as potential NHLers:
“They’re a bit of different player, came from different backgrounds a little bit. Cale Makar played Alberta junior level this year and Heiskanen played with the men, pro. He didn’t get the points, he didn’t get the offensive numbers that we thought he would but very good skater, very good puck mover,” Hepple said on Monday. “Cale Makar, probably a little lesser league but again, great skater, put up great numbers and a very good puck mover.”
After the Avs selected Makar, NBCSN and TSN draft guru Craig Button said, “Outstanding in transition.”
Bob McKenzie said on NBCSN, “The only reason why we don’t know if he can play any D is because he always has the puck on his stick.”
Here are some highlights from Makar’s most recent season:
Get to Know Cale Makar
Date of Birth: 10/30/1998
Place of Birth: Calgary, AB, CAN
Ht: 5’11” Wt: 179 lbs
Shoots: Right
Position: Defense
Team (League): Brooks Bandits (AJHL)
Statistics
0 Comments (3 conversations)
Can someone please remove and medicate this escaped mental patient?
Your liking or disliking of the pick is meaningless when you want people to “fuck off and die.” Your point becomes worthless. Talk like an adult and maybe I’ll listen to what you have to say.
jpwheels
You’re way out of line.
jpwheels
Apology accepted!
When I read your comment the first time, your opinion was completely obliterated by the rhetoric. A little civility while posting a strong opinion goes a long way.
I know nearly nothing about any of the draft-eligible guys. But, the little I have read about Makar, he sounds similar to Barrie. And I’m no Barrie fan. A defenseman who offers good offense but is weak in the D zone is a luxury. And I don’t think the Avs are solid enough defensively overall to afford that luxury. I hope Makar turns out to be exactly what the Avs need.
max_macleod@yahoo.ca
There are a ton of hockey guys in the league that loved Makar! A lot of teams probably wanted to trade up to draft him. He for sure has the highest ceiling out of arguably any player this year, forwards included. You are the scum of fake avalanche fans. Go comment somewhere else.
tweaky
Sakic did nto say he would have taken Heiskanen over Makar. He said they would have taken Heiskanen if he would have been the D still there at 4OA. They knew Hischier and Patrick would be gone. It was a toss up which D Dallas would take, and the Avs were going to take whichever of them were there. He did not state a preference for one over the other (though he should have very clearly done so, for no other reason than to make Makar feel better by saying Makar was the pick as long as he was there).
tweaky
He is 5’11.25″ and 187lbs. He is stocky, and strong for his size. Plays with a bit of an edge too, but is not the prototypical huge hitter that some trogolodyte seem to think is still the only way to play D.
tweaky
Great pick, huge upside. Level of opponents last year was a concern, but wont be this year. Has the highest ceiling of any player in this years draft. Amazing skater, great vision, great hands, elite hockey sense. Could stand to be bigger, but is strong for his size (stocky at 187lbs and 5’11.25″ as measured at the combine…the article has old info), and will get plenty of practice playing in his own end to calm the fears some have about that.
tweaky
Why would the NHL embellish a players size at the combine? He was not the smallest guy there, by a long shot.