A Norris Trophy, Conn Smythe and Stanley Cup.
What a week it’s been for 23-year-old Cale Makar.
After an impressive 29 points, Makar has taken home the coveted playoff MVP title with the most points by a defenseman in the playoffs over the past decade — and with eight fewer games than the previous best set by Dallas’ Miro Heiskanen in 2020.
Makar’s steady presence made him a constant threat every night, even in losses. The win compounded a dominant playoff run for the Avalanche, winning the Stanley Cup for the first time since 2001.
Makar is the fourth defenseman to win the coveted Conn Smythe award in the salary cap era, with Victor Hedman being the last team to do so in 2020.
