Avalanche Star Makar Sidelined by Upper-Body Injury

Norris Trophy Race Tightens as Defenseman Misses Key Games

Apr. 10, 2026 at 3:12am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a hockey defenseman in motion, with sharp, overlapping planes of muted blues, greens, and grays, conveying the conceptual impact of an injury on a team and individual accolades.A cubist interpretation of a star defenseman's injury absence and its impact on the team and individual awards race.Columbus Today

Colorado Avalanche star defenseman Cale Makar has suffered an upper-body injury, sidelining him for several crucial games. The 27-year-old two-time Norris Trophy winner's absence creates a void on the Avalanche blue line and could impact the team's playoff positioning as well as Makar's bid for a third Norris Trophy.

Why it matters

Makar's injury comes at a critical juncture, with the Avalanche fighting for playoff positioning and Makar locked in a tight race for the Norris Trophy with Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski. The team will need to rely on other players to step up, while Makar's injury could tip the scales in Werenski's favor for the league's top defenseman award.

The details

Makar, who averages 25 minutes of ice time per game, will miss several games due to the upper-body injury. The Avalanche are expected to lean more heavily on defensemen Devon Toews and veteran Brent Burns to fill the void left by Makar's absence. This could be a make-or-break moment for Toews, who will need to shoulder more responsibility on the blue line.

  • Makar suffered the upper-body injury on April 8, 2026.
  • He is expected to miss at least the next 3-4 games.

The players

Cale Makar

A 27-year-old defenseman for the Colorado Avalanche and a two-time winner of the Norris Trophy as the NHL's best defenseman.

Devon Toews

A defenseman for the Colorado Avalanche who will be relied upon to take on a larger role in Makar's absence.

Brent Burns

A veteran defenseman for the Colorado Avalanche who will also be expected to contribute more with Makar out.

Zach Werenski

A defenseman for the Columbus Blue Jackets who is in a tight race with Makar for the Norris Trophy.

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What’s next

The Avalanche will need to determine the extent of Makar's injury and provide updates on his expected return timeline. The team's performance in his absence will be closely watched, as will the Norris Trophy race between Makar and Werenski.

The takeaway

Makar's injury is a significant blow to the Avalanche, both in terms of their playoff push and Makar's bid for a third Norris Trophy. The team's depth will be tested, and the Norris race could tighten, highlighting the fine line between success and disappointment in professional sports.