Cale Makar

Cale Makar

ON-ICE VALUE
Top-Pairing Defenseman

STRENGTHS
Skating: Makar is the best skater among all blueliners in the NHL. His stride is completely effortless and he seems to glide faster than players who are hustling full tilt. Moreover, he’s elusive and explosive at the same time. Whether he’s creating something out of nothing from a standstill or flying through the neutral zone, there’s virtually no stopping Makar.

Vision: Despite his phenomenal wheels, the game never seems too fast for Makar. He displays a great sense of where players are and how he can generate an opportunity at any given moment. He’s equally great at delivering in-zone seam passes and long bombs to spring his linemates.

Assertiveness: Paired with his mobility, Makar’s confidence makes him a deadly weapon. He routinely joins the rush by outskating his mark up the ice, and he knows he can get back in defensive position without breaking a sweat. Once settled in the offensive zone, he can shed any defender with an arsenal of flashy dangles and pump fakes.

WEAKNESSES
Doing Too Much: Since Makar can take over games by himself, he is occasionally guilty of pushing too hard when there’s nothing there. His hands, in particular, are so quick that he sometimes over-handles the puck when a simpler, smarter play is available.

Durability: The only significant question mark surrounding this player is his ability to stay healthy. He’s missed time in two straight seasons, and for a player whose ungodly skating separates him from the pack, that is a concern. Can he withstand the grind? Assuming his body holds up, he’s already on a Hall of Fame trajectory.