Latest news with #TrophyTracker
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Avalanche's Cale Makar Earns NHLPA Recognition After Historic Season
The NHL Players' Association released its annual player poll this week, and Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar was recognized among the league's best. Makar was named the NHL's "best overall defenseman" by a significant margin, earning 71.78 percent of the vote and finishing well ahead of Vancouver's Quinn Hughes (7.44 percent) and Tampa Bay's Victor Hedman (5.74). Advertisement The poll, which surveyed 663 players across the league, marks another recognition in what has been a standout season for the 26-year-old. Makar became just the ninth defenseman in NHL history to score 30 goals in a single season and finished the year with 92 points across 80 games. He also led all defensemen in goals, assists and points, while averaging 25 minutes, 43 seconds of ice time per game — the third-highest playing time for blueliners across the NHL. The NHLPA shared the results on X, shouting out Makar for his impressive achievements on the season: 'The 9th defenceman in NHL history to post a 30-goal season–all while assembling a career-high point campaign–who wouldn't want to add some Cale to their blue line?' Advertisement Makar also finished second in the player poll for best overall skater, receiving 11.41 percent of the vote behind Connor McDavid. Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) during a stoppage of play at Ball Chenoy-Imagn Images Makar has already won the Norris Trophy once before, taking the award in 2022, and he has been a finalist each of the last four seasons. The Avs blueliner is considered the favorite for the Norris Trophy once again this year: According to Trophy Tracker, Makar received 14 of 16 first-place votes from the site's panel. 'You kind of get immune to it, you get used to seeing it, and you kind of expect it on a nightly basis,' Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar said about Makar. 'But when you really sit back and look at it, the things he's been able to do … a defenseman that doesn't cheat on the defensive side of things … and then is able to do the things that he does offensively and score 30 goals. Advertisement 'That's pretty special.' Makar will lead the Avalanche into the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Dallas Stars this weekend. Related: Avalanche Make Gabriel Landeskog Move Before NHL Playoffs Related: NHLPA Makes Connor McDavid Announcement Before Oilers' Playoffs
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Calder Trophy Race: Hutson In The Lead According To NHL.com
In the latest instalment of it's Trophy Tracker series, has release the result of a polling of 16 of its journalists today concerning the Calder Trophy race. It was a tight affair but Montreal Canadiens rookie blueliner Lane Hutson is edging the competition three quarters of the way into the season. Hughes Turned Down A Generous Offer For ArmiaHanging On By A ThreadMichael Pezzetta's Ice Time is Curious Hutson received 69 points in the poll, including six first place vote, edging his former teammate at Boston University Macklin Celebrini who took the second place with 66 points. Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf, who was dominant against the Canadiens on Saturday night, finished in third place with 46 points, just ahead of Philadelphia Flyers forward Matvei Michkov who had 41. It's much too early to celebrate the win however as this was not an official poll, but the methodology used was similar to how the PWHA members are polled at the end of the season to pick a winner. Each of the 16 journalists was asked to put their five top candidates in order and points were awarded to the players on a 5-4-3-2-1 basis. The Calder race has been rather exciting to watch this season, with a couple of skilled forwards picking up points in bunches, a goaltender who's carrying his team on his back and Hutson, a defenseman who is fast finding his way in the NHL's most storied franchise record book. Even the most optimistic of fans wouldn't have guessed that the 5-foot-9 rearguard would have reached the 50-carrer point mark faster than Chris Chelios did it. Hutson needed 63 games to achieve the feat while Chelios needed 66. Earlier this season, he also established the longest point streak for a rookie defenseman wearing the Sainte-Flanelle when he put up points in seven consecutive games. Glen Harmon and the aforementioned Chelios previously shared the six games point streak record. Hutson very nearly had another seven game point streak but he was stopped in his tracks by Wolf's fantastic performance on Saturday. Canadiens stories, analysis, breaking news, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News, never to miss a story. Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @ and Threads @karinehains. Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens.
