Cale Makar (Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images)The NHL awards are nigh.
On the second day of the week designated by the NHL for releasing major award nominees, the league announced the finalists for the Norris Trophy for 2025.
Colorado Avalanche superstar defender Cale Makar is, once again, nominated. Apart from his rookie season (where he won the Calder Trophy), he’s either won or been a finalist.
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He was the runner-up to the New York Rangers’ defender Adam Fox in 2020-21. The following year, Makar would win the award after putting up an 86-point season. The Avalanche would go on to win the Stanley Cup, with Makar also taking home the Conn Smythe Trophy.
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In the last two years, he’s been one of the three finalists. Erik Karlsson and Quinn Hughes won the trophy in those years (playing for the San Jose Sharks and Vancouver Canucks respectively).
For 2025, he joins Hughes (again) and Columbus Blue Jackets blueliner Zach Werenski as this year’s finalists.
Makar’s season is well deserving of a nomination. He’s had a career year and is putting his name in the ring for one of the best offensive defenders ever to play the game.
He collected 30 goals and 62 assists for 92 points in 80 games. Makar also averaged 25:43 of ice time per game. He set career-highs in goals and points this past season.
Makar also began the season with a 13-game point streak, which is only the second all-time to Bobby Orr.
Avalanche fans will have to wait until the end of the playoffs to see if Makar will add a second Norris Trophy to his collection.
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