Makar looks to round out trophy cabinet as first-time TLA finalist

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What makes 2025 Ted Lindsay Award finalist Cale Makar an outstanding player?

For Colorado Avalanche teammate and fellow defenceman, Devon Toews, one word says it all: elite.

While his multi-dimensional game might not be easy to define, Makar – a first-time finalist for hockey’s only NHL Award voted on by the players – it’s a study in excellence.

“For Cale, it’s his ability to be elite at every facet of being a defenceman,” praised Toews. “From the simple skills of playing a rush and having a good stick to being a one-man breakout and creating offence all on his own, he does everything at the highest level.”

The 26-year-old Makar played in 80 regular-season games for the Avalanche in his 2024-25 campaign. The Calgary native set career highs in goals (30) and points (92), leading all defencemen and ranking ninth overall in league scoring.

He also led all defencemen in assists (62) and became just the fifth in NHL history to reach both the 30-goal and 60-assist marks in a single season. He became the first defenceman to record 90 points in consecutive campaigns since Paul Coffey (1988-89 to 1990-91) and Al MacInnis (1989-90 to 1990-91) – both members of the Hockey Hall of Fame.

“Cale is elite in every situation of the game,” said Toews, of his fellow alternate captain. “He runs the powerplay, is a top penalty-killer and is counted on to shut down top players in the league.”

His numbers this season underscore just how impactful Makar is.

The fourth overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft led all defencemen in power-play goals (12), power-play primary assists (13), and power-play points (35). He recorded a career-high 246 shots and ranked third in the NHL in average time on ice (25:43).

Makar also posted a +28 rating and blocked 128 shots. He became just the ninth defenceman in NHL history to score at least 30 goals in one season – and the first since Mike Green netted 31 for the Washington Capitals in 2008-09.

“The driving force for Cale is simple – he loves to win,” said Toews.

A five-time Norris Trophy finalist – including this season – Makar has previously won the James Norris Memorial Trophy, Stanley Cup, and Conn Smythe Trophy as most valuable player of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He also took home the Calder Memorial Trophy as NHL rookie of the year in 2019-20.

Should he earn the nod for the Ted Lindsay Award, Makar would become the first defenceman to receive the honour since Bobby Orr in 1974-75. With Makar and teammate Nathan MacKinnon both finalists for the TLA this season, it also marks the first time in 24 years (2000-01 – Jaromir Jagr and Mario Lemieux) that two teammates have finished among the top three vote getters.

“He is the first guy on the ice in every situation the game of hockey requires,” said Toews, of the player whose trophy haul also includes international gold medals from the 2018 World Junior Championship and 4 Nations Face-off.

“He loves to compete when the stage is big and does everything in his power to put himself in the best position to be great every night.”

It’s an approach that starts before the drop of the puck and one shared by defending TLA recipient and Avs teammate, MacKinnon. In 2000-01, both Jaromir Jagr and Mario Lemieux finished as a runner-up to Joe Sakic when it was presented as the Lester B. Pearson. 

“For Cale and Nate, it’s how they conduct themselves on a day-to-day basis,” praised Toews. “Both have big voices amongst our team that they use, but their commitment to do the little things every day to be great is what teammates see and learn from and incorporate into their routines and day to day lives.

“When teammates see them putting in 100 percent effort every day, it pushes the entire group forward.” 

A perfect example of what it means to be elite.