Cale Makar Unlikely to Win Third Norris Trophy This Season

Colorado Avalanche star defenseman has missed games and gone through scoring droughts, likely costing him the NHL's top defenseman award.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 4:25pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the fragmented movements and actions of a hockey defenseman, rendered in muted blues, grays, and whites to capture the defensive nature of the sport.Cale Makar's quest for a third straight Norris Trophy hits a snag as the Avalanche star defenseman battles injuries and scoring droughts.Seattle Today

Colorado Avalanche star defenseman Cale Makar, widely considered the best blueliner in the NHL, is unlikely to win his third Norris Trophy this season. Makar has missed six games due to injury and has gone through stretches of games without scoring goals, putting him behind other top defensemen in key statistical categories.

Why it matters

The Norris Trophy is awarded annually to the NHL's top defenseman, and Makar has won it the past two seasons. His inability to maintain his usual dominant play and statistical output this year could open the door for other elite defensemen to claim the award.

The details

Makar, 27, has 20 goals and 55 assists in 73 games played this season. While still an impressive stat line, it falls short of the league leaders among defensemen. Jacob Chychrun of the Arizona Coyotes has 25 goals, while Evan Bouchard of the Edmonton Oilers has 70 assists. Makar has also gone through two lengthy goal-scoring droughts of seven and eight games, which could hurt his chances with award voters.

  • Makar last played on March 30th.
  • The Avalanche have clinched the Presidents' Trophy with the league's best regular-season record.
  • The Avalanche's final regular-season game is on Thursday, April 17th, against the Seattle Kraken.

The players

Cale Makar

A 27-year-old defenseman for the Colorado Avalanche who has won the Norris Trophy as the NHL's top defenseman the past two seasons.

Jacob Chychrun

A defenseman for the Arizona Coyotes who leads all NHL defensemen with 25 goals this season.

Evan Bouchard

A defenseman for the Edmonton Oilers who leads all NHL defensemen with 70 assists this season.

Jared Bednar

The head coach of the Colorado Avalanche, who will miss the team's final two regular-season games after being hit by a puck.

Nolan Pratt

An assistant coach for the Colorado Avalanche who will serve as the interim head coach for the team's final two regular-season games.

Dave Hakstol

An assistant coach for the Colorado Avalanche who will serve as the interim head coach for the team's final two regular-season games.

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What’s next

Makar is expected to play in the Avalanche's final regular-season game on Thursday, April 17th, against the Seattle Kraken, as the team prepares for the playoffs.

The takeaway

While Cale Makar's dominance has helped the Avalanche clinch the Presidents' Trophy, his missed games and scoring droughts this season will likely cost him a third consecutive Norris Trophy. The award race is now wide open, with other elite defensemen like Jacob Chychrun and Evan Bouchard having standout campaigns.