Cale Makar Makes NHL History with 30-Goal Season, Dominates Player Poll
The defensive star of Colorado Avalanche employs his talents to redefine greatness through his monuments of success.
The performance of Cale Makar continues to reach higher and higher levels.
The 26-year-old Colorado Avalanche defenseman received overwhelming respect from his peers because of his incredible high-quality play in a season that saw numerous extraordinary moments every game. Judging from the results of the 2025 NHLPA Player Poll Cale Makar secured the title of top defenseman across the league with an astounding 71.78% of votes while Victor Hedman and Quinn Hughes received 5.74% and 7.44% respectively.
The survey results from 663 professional hockey players confirm the extensive recognition that both Avalanche fans and overall fans have given to Cale Makar for years.
Historic Numbers, Legendary Impact
The 2024–25 season marked a historic milestone for Makar because it exceeded merely great results.
Makar made history by becoming ninefold among defenders who scored 30 goals during a single season thus placing him alongside legendary players Paul Coffey and Bobby Orr. Closing in on 92 points from 80 regular season matches Cale Makar outpaced the rest of NHL defensemen by becoming the top scorer in points and goals together with assists.
While producing elite offensive numbers, Makar also remained a defensive anchor, averaging 25:43 of ice time per game—the third-highest among NHL blueliners. He wasn’t just showing up; he was dominating in every facet of the game.
Social Media Buzz & Player Praise
When the NHLPA released the poll results on X (formerly Twitter), the post quickly went viral, sparking conversations about where Makar stands among the greats of this generation.
“The 9th defenceman in NHL history to post a 30-goal season—all while assembling a career-high point campaign—who wouldn’t want to add some Cale to their blue line?” the NHLPA wrote.
It wasn’t just the fans raving—Makar also finished second in the “Best Overall Skater” category, trailing only the one and only Connor McDavid.
A Norris Trophy Repeat Incoming?
Already a Norris Trophy winner in 2022, Makar is once again the front-runner to take home the NHL’s top defenseman honor. According to NHL.com’s Trophy Tracker, 14 of 16 panelists picked Makar as their top choice for the award. No surprise there.
Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar summed it up best:
“You kind of get immune to it—you expect it nightly. But when you really sit back and look at it, the things he’s been able to do… A defenseman that doesn’t cheat defensively, and still scores 30 goals. That’s pretty special.”
What’s Next for Makar?
With the playoffs on the horizon and Makar playing some of the best hockey of his career, the sky truly is the limit. Whether he’s dancing around defenders or breaking up a rush with surgical precision, one thing’s for sure
