To the surprise of none of Avs nation, wunderkind defenseman Cale Makar was named the top star of the NHL for the month of October.
Makar was nothing short of tremendous to open the season and has been one of the few bright spots for an underwhelming Avalanche season thus far.
Makar has put up impressive numbers through Colorado’s first month. Across 11 games, Makar scored four goals and added a whopping 15 assists for 19 total points, shared for the league’s lead.
His start has been so good that he became the first defenseman in 50 years to lead or share the scoring lead at the end of October. The last defenseman to accomplish this feat? Bobby Orr. He turned out to have a decent career.
Last time a defenseman led or held share of league lead in points thru end of October was exactly 50 years ago. Bobby Orr was tied for @NHL lead Nov. 1, 1974
— Brendan McNicholas (@bmcnich) November 1, 2024
Nov. 1, 2024
19 Mark Stone
19 Cale Makar
Nov. 1, 1974
15 Phil Esposito
15 Jim Pappin
15 Ivan Boldirev
15 Bobby Orr
Makar continues to amaze. He’s been an absolute nightmare for other teams since his initial soiree in the league some years ago and has already won a Norris Trophy as the league’s top defenseman as well as lifted the ultimate prize in 2022, the Stanley Cup. To add to the heft in his awards cabinet, Makar was the rookie of the year in 2020 (Calder Trophy) and won the Conn Smythe award (Playoff MVP) during the Avs Stanley Cup winning season.
He’s the clear quarterback of a power play connecting at a 35.1% success rate, good for third in the league and has nine power play points this season, nearly at a one per game average. These numbers are all with Nathan MacKinnon on the half boards on that same man advantage.
Makar is no slouch on the defensive end of the ice either. Although he’s a -7 this season (plus/minus), he’s never been a minus player in his career. He also averages over 24 minutes per game this season (24:32) which is the third highest rate of his career thus far.
Makar is a leader for this team in more ways than one despite his young age. He has earned the ability to wear an “A” as an alternate captain this season. His role as an assistant captain takes higher influence as captain Gabriel Landeskog has been out of action for more than a year now with knee trouble.
There hasn’t been a lot to be positive about thus far in Avalanche land. They’re a middling team trying to find their groove with some positive work to be found over the last several games. One thing that remains constant regardless of their record is the play of Makar and Avalanche nation looks forward to watching him continue playing at a high level.