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The Irrefutable Top 5 Defensemen in the NHL Right Now

By Brendan Semon

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 08: Cale Makar #8 of the Colorado Avalanche skates against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on December 08, 2021 in New York City. The Avalanche defeated the Rangers 7-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 08: Cale Makar #8 of the Colorado Avalanche skates against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on December 08, 2021 in New York City. The Avalanche defeated the Rangers 7-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – JANUARY 11: Cale Makar #8 of the Colorado Avalanche plays against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena on January 11, 2022, in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – JANUARY 11: Cale Makar #8 of the Colorado Avalanche plays against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena on January 11, 2022, in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

No. 2 — Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche)

Forget about defense, Cale Makar, of the Colorado Avalanche, is without a doubt one of the best players in the NHL today. His poise and skillset make your jaw drop every shift he’s on the ice. Few human beings could do what he can with the puck on his stick.

These are the only stats you need to know about Makar: 139 career games played, 38 goals, 99 assists. His offensive productivity surpasses some of the top forwards in the NHL, and he’s only getting better. Averaging 0.99 points per game, he’s on a greater scoring pace than legendary blue-liners Ray Bourque (0.98),  Al MacInnis (0.90), Brian Leetch (0.85).

There’s no question that if he can maintain his health, Cale Makar will become the all-time leader in points for a defenseman in Colorado (Tyson Barrie — 309 points). At just 23-years old, the 4th overall selection in the 2017 NHL Draft as a future so bright it’s blinding.

With some improvements on his overall 200 ft game, we’ll see if he can become the consensus number one defenseman in the league. Until then, however, that title belongs to someone else.

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