"The evolution of his game, I think he's going to be relied upon for more than just creating offense and he understands that, and he works hard at it," Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said Jan. 4. "He's been working on it and I would say he is pretty good. His ability to play physical and skate, close plays out and then a big part of defending is not only being able to close plays out but being able to take the next step and grab the puck and advance it."
Makar scored a highlight-reel goal in overtime against the Blackhawks on Jan 4. He spun away from Chicago forward Kirby Dach along the left wall before deking from forehand to backhand and shooting under the crossbar.
"It was a little bit lucky to be honest," Makar said.
Blackhawks defenseman Calvin de Haan did not agree.
"[Makar] is going to be a great player for a long time in this league," he said. "It is what it is. He made a good play and it's going to be all over the NHL Network tomorrow."
Makar has scored at least one point in 26 of 36 games this season, including 10 multipoint games and three three-point games.
"The pucks just seem to be going in right now," Makar said after a 4-2 win against the New York Rangers on Dec. 14, when he scored his 13th goal of the season in his 23rd game. "I don't anticipate this continuing throughout the year. I think it's a little bit heavy pace now."
Although Makar does not have a goal in his past seven games, he's capable of going on a run. He scored seven goals during a five-game goal streak from Nov. 17-26 and could become the first defenseman to score at least 30 goals in one season since Mike Green for the Capitals in 2008-09 (31).
"He's a guy that can do it for sure," Johnson said. "... Just the evolution of his game, he's only going to keep getting better too which is the scary part. If he keeps going at this rate, for sure, he'll get there, he might even get higher."
Voting totals (points awarded on a 5-4-3-2-1-basis): Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche, 71 points (eight first-place votes); Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning, 59 (five); Roman Josi, Nashville Predators, 44 (one); Adam Fox, New York Rangers 34 (one); Aaron Ekblad, Florida Panthers 20 (one); Kris Letang, Pittsburgh Penguins, 6; Darnell Nurse, Edmonton Oilers, 3; Morgan Rielly, Toronto Maple Leafs, 1; Devon Toews, Avalanche, 1; John Carlson, Washington Capitals, 1