Cale Makar is making waves across the NHL, and the latest NHLPA poll is just the cherry on top for the young blue line phenom. Colorado Avalanche’s standout defenseman swept the competition, snagging the title of the league’s best defenseman with a staggering 71.78% of the votes. His closest competitor, Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks, trailed with just 7.44%, while Tampa Bay Lightning’s captain Victor Hedman landed 5.74%, rounding out a heavily weighted top tier favoring Makar.

What makes Makar’s feat noteworthy isn’t just the number of votes. This season, he made history as the ninth defenseman ever to notch 30 goals in a campaign, racking up 92 points overall—a masterclass no matter how you slice it. While a century mark of points would have cemented him amongst the all-time elite, it hardly diminishes an impressive season, where his play was nothing short of transformative.

Through an avalanche of injuries that could have derailed the team early on, Makar, alongside his teammate Nathan MacKinnon, kept the spirit and performance of the team alive. The duo’s resilience and unwavering commitment to the game kept Colorado formidable, even during some of the toughest stretches of the season. All eyes are already turning to next season, where the potential for a 100-point season for Makar looms large.

Adding another feather to his cap, Makar also claimed the second spot as the league’s best skater, as per the same NHLPA poll. Topping the list was none other than Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers, whose sublime skating skills left an indelible impression with 66.41% of the votes. Makar clocked in at 11.41%, while MacKinnon trailed closely behind at 8.91%.

Watching Makar and MacKinnon blaze through the ice, it’s clear why they’ve earned such high praise. Makar’s fluid skating transitions seamlessly between defense and attack, allowing him to control the game’s tempo and launch into play-making rushes. Sure, his aggressive style sometimes leaves him pinching high in the offensive zone, but having Devon Toews as a reliable partner means that those occasional gambles rarely catch the Avalanche off balance.

In essence, Makar’s game is just reaching its stride. His past Norris Trophy win seems like a mere foretaste of what he’s really capable of achieving.

If he maintains this trajectory, we could be witnessing the emergence of one of the greatest defensemen ever to lace up skates. In a league with a storied history, Cale Makar is already starting to write his own legendary chapter.