Colorado Avalanche Stud Rookie Cale Makar Robbed of All Star Nomination

Colorado Avalanche star defenseman, Cale Makar, was snubbed for the All Star Team. But, he’s still having a season worthy of an All Star nomination.

The Colorado Avalanche’s star rookie, Cale Makar, was up for an All Stat nomination as Last Men In. Fans had 10 days to vote in one last player from each division.

Well, Makar didn’t win for the Central Division.  Instead, the St. Louis Blues will have a fourth representative on the Central team. Nathan MacKinnon will be Colorado’s lone representative at the ASG. That’s a stark contrast from last season when he was joined by teammates Mikko Rantanen and Gabriel Landeskog. (The latter won Last Men In last year.)

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Now, I’m not going to say that the voting was rigged. That doesn’t mean I don’t think the voting was rigged. But, rationally, it’s more likely that the reigning Cup champs have a wider audience right now.

What’s frustrating to me is that Makar wasn’t named in the first place. As a defenseman, Makar is second only to forward Victor Olofsson in points for rookies. He’s just two points back despite playing five fewer games.

Cale has a total of 33 points (9 goals, 24 assists) in 37 games.

Now, I’m not going to lie. The man who is going in his stead as Central Division Last Man In has higher stats. David Perron of the St. Louis Blues leads the team with 45 points (19 goals, 26 assists). But he’s a forward, who’s played all 45 games for the Blues. Plus, he’s a veteran of 14 years.

I mean, you could make the case that Perron, too, should have been named to the team before the Last Men In popularity contest.

Now, I know people will want to chime in and say that the All Star Game doesn’t mean anything. You’re right — the game itself does not. However, being nominated as an All Star is an honor.

Just making the NHL is something only a small percentage of good, talented hockey players manage. When you actually get named to the All Star team, it says that you’re within the best of an already elite group of athletes.

Makar is.

But, never, fear. With the way that Cale Makar is playing, he’s sure to have an illustrious career for the Colorado Avalanche. He’ll have plenty of other All Star nominations.

Now, it’s time to start sending the Calder Trophy vibes into the universe.