The Avalanche beat the Lightning 2-1 to win the Stanley Cup on Sunday night, and their return to glory never would’ve happened if not for one man.
We’re talking about Colorado’s (-115) Norris Trophy defenseman and their inarguable best player. That same incomparable player who is now the official winner of the 2022 Conn Smythe Award (awarded annually to the NHL postseason MVP): the 23-year-old wunderkind blueliner, Cale Makar.
Here are some fun facts about Makar’s first Conn Smythe:
- Makar becomes just the third defenseman in NHL history to win the Norris and the Conn Smythe in one season after the Bruins’ Bobby Orr (1970, 1972) and the Red Wings’ Nicklas Lidstrom (2002) previously managed the rare feat.
- His 29 points are the fourth-highest ever by any defenseman during the postseason
- Makar is the youngest defenseman to win the Conn Smythe in 52 years, with Orr first winning it at 22
ALL HAIL CALE!! 🥇
Cale Makar (@Cmakar8) is this year's Conn Smythe Trophy winner! #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/QZQVnWu5RI
— NHL (@NHL) June 27, 2022
Makar winning this year’s Conn Smythe should be no surprise to anyone who’s paid attention to Colorado’s exploits all year long. He was their catalyst when the Avalanche finished first in the Central Division and the Western Conference during the regular season. He was not only their premier shutdown man playing almost half of every game but their primary offensive initiator for a team that loves to get out and skate in transition.
When it came time for the Avalanche to make some memories in the postseason, it was business as usual for Makar — who continued his excellence seamlessly.
Colorado powered through a postseason slate of opponents that featured such stars as Roman Josi, Vladimir Tarasenko, Connor McDavid, and Nikita Kucherov, specifically because of Makar. Whenever the Avs needed an answer for any sort of play in his own end or as the de facto quarterback on offense, Makar was there in a pinch. Their forwards like Nathan MacKinnon and captain Gabriel Landeskog might get all the headlines, but it’s Makar who stirs the drink.
No team goes 16-4 throughout a postseason, especially one as chaotic as the NHL’s, without a budding all-time great on the blueliner. And that’s what Makar is — a budding all-time great.
The young defenseman got his first Norris Trophy and Conn Smythe this year. Given how his magnificent career has started, they almost certainly won’t be the last.
Here’s how NHL fans reacted to Makar’s historic, deserved Conn Smythe victory.
