Cale Makar had a record breaking November, and today, he was recognized by the NHL for it.
The 25 year old defenseman was named the second star of the month by the league on Friday. First star of the month went to Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning, while the third star was Quinn Hughes of the Canucks.
Here’s the press release from the NHL that goes over *almost* everything Makar accomplished during the month of November.
Makar paced the NHL with 21 assists and ranked second with both 25 points and a +13 rating across 14 games (4-21—25) to power the Avalanche (15-6-1, 31 points) to a 9-4-1 November. Only four defensemen in League history have collected more helpers in a single calendar month, a list topped by Roman Josi (24 in March 2022 w/ NSH). Makar’s 25 points also set a franchise record for a blueliner in any calendar month, surpassing the previous high of 21 shared by him (March 2023: 4-17—21 in 13 GP) and Steve Duchesne (November 1992: 4-17—21 in 15 GP). Makar notched points in 12 of his 14 November outings, highlighted by five consecutive multi-point performances (Nov. 13-22: 2-11—13) – a run that included three straight three-assist games (Nov. 15-20: 0-9—9). He also became the fastest defenseman in NHL history to accumulate 200 career helpers, doing so in his 254th game (Nov. 18 at DAL). The 25-year-old Makar, who won the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2019-20 and added both the James Norris Memorial Trophy and Conn Smythe Trophy in 2021-22, leads defensemen and sits third in the entire League with 7-27—34 through 22 total contests this season. He also tops the NHL in assists (27) and shares the League lead in plus/minus (+18).
There is one stat that the league failed to mention, though.
Makar is only the second defenseman in league history to pick up 21 assists in a single month since 1991. Roman Josi had 24 assists during March of 2022. Beyond these two, it hasn’t been done in over 30 years. Not bad at all.
Through 22 games, it’s safe to say Makar is the MVP of the team, and at this point, he’s likely a candidate for the Hart Trophy as the league’s MVP. There’s still a long ways to go, and health plays a big part in that, but the young defenseman is off to a tremendous start.
Makar and the Colorado Avalanche will be in Anaheim Saturday evening to take on the Ducks. That game starts at 8 PM MST.
More must-reads: