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Colorado Avalanche: Cale Makar Deserves To Be An All-Star

By Adrienne Tyler |
DENVER, COLORADO - DECEMBER 31: Cale Makar #8 of the Colorado Avalanche skates against the Winnipeg Jets at Pepsi Center on December 31, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - DECEMBER 31: Cale Makar #8 of the Colorado Avalanche skates against the Winnipeg Jets at Pepsi Center on December 31, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)

Colorado Avalanche’s Cale Makar is close to joining the All-Star Game. In case you need some convincing to vote for him…

It’s that time of the year again, where the NHL (supposedly) goes through a meticulous process to choose the best players from each team to build its All-Star rosters – and I say “supposedly” because there’s always at least one player from each division that is left out when he should have been included. Luckily, now there’s the “Last Men In” vote, which gives fans the chance to vote for one more player from each division to join the game. The Colorado Avalanche already have Nathan MacKinnon leading the Central Division, but he could be joined by another player.

Beloved rookie Cale Makar is competing for that last spot, which went to captain Gabriel Landeskog last year (after a very clever and fun campaign). Makar’s opponents are Chicago Blackhawks’ Jonathan Toews, Dallas Stars’ Jamie Benn, Minnesota Wild’s Ryan Suter, Nashville Predators’ Matt Duchene (yup), St. Louis Blues’ David Perron, and Winnipeg Jets’ Patrik Laine. So… should we be worried?

Cale Makar’s Odds

DENVER, CO – APRIL 30: Cale Makar #8 of the Colorado Avalanche looks on during a break in the action against the San Jose Sharks in Game Three of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Pepsi Center on April 30, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – APRIL 30: Cale Makar #8 of the Colorado Avalanche looks on during a break in the action against the San Jose Sharks in Game Three of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Pepsi Center on April 30, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Based purely on numbers (goals and assists), Cale Makar’s biggest threat is Jonathan Toews, with 10 goals and 20 assists, versus Makar’s nine goals and 23 assists. Right below our precious defenseman is Matt Duchene with nine goals and 19 assists. But hockey hearts are driven by more than numbers and statistics, and in the end, most votes are based on which player people like most, or who deserves it the most though not based on points. Ya’ feel?

With that in mind, Makar has big chances of winning. The Colorado Avalanche fan base shouldn’t be underestimated (like, ever). In terms of popularity, Makar’s biggest opponent is, perhaps, Jamie Benn, beloved captain of the Dallas Stars… though there’s also Toews, who even though he’s from a rival team in the Avs’ division, he is a very popular guy among hockey fans in general.

And yet, there’s really isn’t anything to worry about. Makar has proven that he’s not only a good guy off the ice but also an insanely talented hockey player. It’s a great combination, and Avs fans are obviously not going to leave him without votes.

Why Cale Makar Deserves To Be The Last Man In

DENVER, COLORADO – JANUARY 02: Andre Burakovsky #95, Cale Makar #8 and Joonas Donskoi #72 of the Colorado Avalanche celebrate a goal by Makar against the St Louis Blues in the second period at the Pepsi Center on January 02, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO – JANUARY 02: Andre Burakovsky #95, Cale Makar #8 and Joonas Donskoi #72 of the Colorado Avalanche celebrate a goal by Makar against the St Louis Blues in the second period at the Pepsi Center on January 02, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

In 34 games played this season, Cale Makar has a total of 32 points. Right after Nathan MacKinnon, he’s the Avs players with most points this season, and the #6 defenseman league-wide (the #1 spot belongs to Washington Capitals’ John Carlson, with 51 points. And let’s not forget this is his first full season with the Avs. Pretty big deal, right?

But when a player is a mix of talent, good heart, and great personality, there’s no way he can’t win the hearts of hockey fans all over the world. Makar is, perhaps, the purest soul in the Colorado Avalanche roster – who else could have said, without thinking it twice, that his biggest impulse purchase in the last months was a slurpee? Not mention how humble he is and how he always credits the team for his achievements. This kid is truly a gem, and we’re oh so lucky to have him on the team.

Next. Avalanche Rookie Cale Makar Still in Calder Race. dark

Have you voted for Cale Makar yet? Imagine how good it’s going to be to see him in the skills competition, and then the game, and all the videos and fun interviews. The Colorado Avalanche can have two (2) players at the All-Star game this year, so go vote before January 10!

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