Cale Makar
Here’s where things get dicey. Makar came in at #6 ranking above reigning Norris Trophy winner Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks. Now, there’s no arguing that Makar should be ranked higher than Hughes. As a matter of fact, Makar was the highest-ranked defenseman on the list.
Again, there is no questioning that logic.
However, could Makar have ranked higher than say Kucherov or #4 Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers?
That could be a tough argument to make. But there’s reason to believe it could be a valid one. First of all, elite defenseman are hard to find. True top-tier blueliners like Makar, Hughes or Roman Josi come by every few years. If anything, hockey fans today are spoiled by the abundance of all-world d-men in the league.
But what sets Makar apart is that he’s a difference-maker. Sure, Draisaitl is one of the league’s best. But he plays on the same team as McDavid. That alone diminishes Draisaitl’s overall impact on the team.
Of course, an argument could be made that Makar plays with Nathan MacKinnon. But that’s comparing apples and oranges. MacKinnon is a forward while Makar is a defenseman. Therefore, Makar’s impact is much greater than other players ranked above him.
Second, Makar has all the requisite hardware to make the top 5. He’s won a Cup, Norris, Calder and Conn Smythe Trophy. Perhaps hitting the 100-point mark as a defenseman could propel Makar into the top 5.
Overall, the ranking got it right by placing Makar as the league’s best blueliner. But there is plenty of reason to argue that Makar should be in the top 5, making him one of the most valuable players in the NHL at the moment.