The NHL announced today that Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar won the second Norris Trophy of his career. Makar finished this season with a career high in goals (30) and points (92). His 30-goal season was the first from a defenseman since Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green did it in 2008-09.
The win for Makar gives him a second Norris Trophy to go along with his victory in 2021-22. Remarkably, he has been in the top 10 in Norris voting in each of his six seasons and top three in five of them. This win makes Makar the 14th defenseman in NHL history to win the award multiple times in his career. He has some work to do to catch Bobby Orr, who finished his career with eight of them.
Makar’s steady brilliance from wire to wire outlasted the other contenders for the award, Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks and Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Hughes was last year’s winner but injuries held him back from mounting a full defense of the award as he played in only 68 games, scoring 76 points along the way. Had he been healthier, the race might have been tighter, but it was ultimately not meant to be.
Werenski, a first-time finalist, was the anchor for the surprising success of the Blue Jackets and finished with 82 points in 81 games played. He obliterated his previous career highs in goals, assists, and points while playing a dominant two-way game for a Columbus team that wasn’t given much of a chance during the preseason, especially following the tragic death of teammate Johnny Gaudreau. Werenski’s leadership and steady hand helped guide the organization through an awful time and played the best hockey of his career.
In the end, this was Makar’s award. He finished the season ninth in the league in scoring, one point ahead of Sidney Crosby. Among defensemen, Makar dominated the scoring ranks this season. Here’s where he finished in various statistical categories:
- Goals: 1st
- Assists: 1st
- Points: 1st
- Points per game: 1st
- Even-strength goals: 2nd
- Power-play goals: 1st
- Power-play points: 1st
- Shorthanded goals: 1st
- Shorthanded points: 2nd
- Shots on goal: 2nd
- Time on ice: 3rd
That’s a dominant offensive profile. Basically the only pockmark in his game is that he is a poor defender on the penalty kill and probably shouldn’t be there, but that area isn’t a strength of either Werenski or Hughes (who doesn’t even play the PK) so it didn’t hurt him in the voting.
Speaking of the voting, here’s the breakdown on how Makar won his second Norris Trophy:
So…not even close. Makar dominated this voting while teammate and defensive partner Devon Toews nabbed fourth and fifth-place votes. Makar’s assault on the record books continues with this victory. At age 26, Makar now has won the Norris Trophy twice as well as a Calder Trophy (best rookie), Conn Smythe (playoff MVP), and, of course, the Stanley Cup. Not a bad start through the first six seasons of his career.
