Cale Makar, the incredibly talented defenseman of the Colorado Avalanche, is up for the Norris Trophy once again, following his 77-game regular season in which he had 21 goals and 69 assists. Unfortunately, he did miss five games due to injury, but finished second in goals for a defenseman, as well as second in assists for defensemen.
Makar's talent on the ice is not up for debate. He has already taken home the Norris Trophy after the 2021-22 NHL regular season, the same year that the Colorado Avalanche hoisted the Stanley Cup.
Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks has been getting a ton of attention in regards to the Norris Trophy, and rightfully so. While the race for overall points by a defenseman was tight during the regular season, Hughes finished the year with 92 while Makar finished with 90.
If Makar does not win the Norris trophy, it isn't like anybody is going to come out and laugh. It's not like Makar is going to be labeled as a terrible player. He's already won the Norris once before and there is no doubt in my mind that he'll have several other seasons in which he will be up for nomination.
In almost any other season, I believe that Makar would have taken the Norris Trophy home with how he performed this season. Falling short (second place) would not be something to frown upon. It would not diminish his talent. Losing the trophy to someone like Hughes or Roman Josi (who is also up for nomination) is okay. This is a competitive sport and the three of them can compete for the Norris for ears to come.
The main focus, and Makar will tell you the same thing, is that the Colorado Avalanche made it to the postseason (and won the first-round series against the Winnipeg Jets). Now the big question is who they will face in round 2. What's done is done. The regular season is over with, and the Norris results are left up to the voters.