Cale Makar

Cale Makar

27-Year-Old DefensemanD
Colorado Avalanche
2025 Stats
G
20
A
59
PP Pts
29
+/-
32
PIM
24
ROS Projections
G
A
PP Pts
+/-
PIM
Unlock Our Projections
2025 Fantasy Outlook
Makar set new personal bests in goals (30) and points (92) over 80 regular-season appearances in 2024-25, marking the first time a defenseman reached the 30-goal mark since Mike Green (31) in 2008-09 with Washington. Boosted by his power-play role, Makar's 12 tallies with the man advantage paced all NHL defensemen, as no other player had more than five. While the offensively-gifted blueliner converted at a career-high 12.2 percent clip on 246 shots on goal last season, it shouldn't be cause for concern in terms of potential regression given his world-class edgework and ability to find shooting lanes from the point. While fellow Norris Trophy finalists Quinn Hughes and Zach Werenski will be premier fantasy selections in upcoming drafts, it's difficult to make an argument against Makar being the first blueliner off the board in 2025-26. Makar has two seasons left before he is set to become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career, so the best of the right-shot rearguard may have yet to be seen, not to mention the fact that he's only 26. Read Past Outlooks
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#Subscriber-Only
Overall
#Subscriber-Only
Defenseman
Shoots Right
Height 6'0"
DOB 10/30/1998
Born Calgary, Canada
Drafted 1st Rd, #4 Overall in 2017
Signed a six-year, $54 million contract extension with the Avalanche in July of 2021.
Scores in Game 4 win
DColorado Avalanche
April 27, 2026
Makar scored a goal with his lone shot on target in Sunday's 5-1 win over the Kings in Game 4 of the Western Conference first round.
ANALYSIS
After going pointless in the first two games of the series, Makar has scored in back-to-back contests. The star blueliner, who was one of the most productive defensemen in the regular season with 20 goals and 79 points in 75 contests, should continue playing a big role for the Avs on offense in the Western Conference Semifinals.
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2025–26 Time On Ice Stats
  • Average Time On Ice:
    24:51
  • Average Power Play TOI:
    4:11
  • Average Short-Handed TOI:
    1:57
 
Ice Time
Power Play
Short-Handed
2023–24
24:46
4:05
2:33
2024–25
25:43
3:39
2:08
2025–26
24:51
4:11
1:57
Avalanche Depth Chart
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Avalanche Power Play Depth Chart
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Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Cale Makar See More
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Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Cale Makar See More
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Makar accounted for 21 goals and a career-high 90 points across 77 appearances during the 2023-24 campaign. He led all blueliners with 39 power-play points and tied for first with four shorthanded points. He was also credited with a personal-best 148 blocked shots. Since 2020-21, he ranks third among defensemen with 751 shots on goal. The 25-year-old phenom has operated at a point-per-game pace for four straight seasons. He has firmly established himself as one of the best offensive defenders in the league, making him a valuable fantasy target. Makar should be the first defenseman chosen on draft day because of his ability to produce points akin to an elite forward.
Injuries limited Makar to 60 games in 2022-23, but the talented defender still managed to register 17 goals and 66 points. He logged a career-high 26:23 of ice time per contest and posted 2.93 shots per game. Makar finished sixth among all NHL blueliners with 30 power-play points and ranked second among all rearguards with 1.10 points per contest. He has been a top-three finisher in Norris Trophy votes in each of the past three seasons, cementing himself as one of the best fantasy defenders in the league. Makar should be the first defenseman off the board on draft day, as he could flirt with the 90-point plateau if he can avoid extended stretches on injured reserve.
A legitimate generational talent from the back end, Makar led all NHL rearguards in goals this past season with 28, while finishing second to Nashville's Roman Josi in points with 86. Makar won the Norris Trophy as the league's top defenseman before adding a Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP to his collection. Given all he has accomplished to date, it is important to remember Makar won't turn 24 years of age until late October and has just three full NHL seasons under his belt. It's scary to think what Makar's numbers might look like when all is said and done, but one thing that doesn't appear to be up for debate is the fact he deserves to be the top defender off the board in all fantasy leagues this coming fall, and perhaps a top-five player overall. Makar is that good.
At just 22 years old, Makar is just getting going at the NHL level. He had a point-per-game effort with eight goals and 36 assists in 44 contests last season. He's emerged as an elite all-around defenseman and the lynchpin of the Avalanche's blue line. There's no doubt Makar could still improve as he enters his third NHL campaign, which will likely be the first one he has a chance to play a full 82-game slate. Assuming he doesn't miss too much time to injuries, the Alberta native has a realistic chance to top 60 points, with roughly 25 of them coming on the power play. He'll also be reliable in plus-minus rating and shot production, although he's only likely to put up modest totals in hits and blocked shots. He's a top-five blueliner already -- fantasy managers need not hesitate to draft him.
The reigning Calder Trophy winner was brilliant in his rookie season in 2019-20, scoring 50 points in 57 games. He came in with high expectations after making his NHL debut during the previous season's playoffs and still managed to smash them, transforming the Avalanche into one of the most feared offensive teams with his strong skating ability and elite wrist shot. Makar ranked seventh in even-strength points and 10th in power-play points among defensemen last year, and in the process established himself as the rare, top-tier, point-per-game defenseman in fantasy. There may be some hiccups along the way in his second season, but the upside is worth the risk, which means Makar will be one of the most sought-after defensemen in all fantasy formats.
The time is now for Makar, as the offseason departure of Tyson Barrie has fully paved the way for Colorado's 2017 fourth overall pick to emerge as a full-time NHLer. Lauded for his high hockey IQ and supreme awareness from the blue line, Makar deposited 21 goals and 49 assists between 75 games with UMass-Amherst over the last two seasons. The Avalanche figured he'd provide an offensive spark in the playoffs, so the Calgary native signed on the dotted line on a three-year, entry-level contract and proceeded to record six points through 10 postseason games, including the unforgettable achievement of becoming the first defenseman in history to score a playoff goal in his NHL debut. Naturally, there is a lot of hype surrounding Makar, and it's simply a race against time to acquire him at a reasonable price in the fantasy arena.
Makar has yet to sign his entry-level contract despite being selected fourth overall by the Avalanche in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, instead electing to return to UMass-Amherst after posting 21 points -- five goals and 16 assists -- and a plus-9 rating over 34 games last season. It wouldn't be a big surprise if he inks his professional contract immediately following the 2018-19 collegiate season, allowing him to get a small taste of professional hockey before the season concludes, but he mainly holds value in dynasty formats this season.
More Fantasy News
Tallies in win
DColorado Avalanche
April 23, 2026
Makar scored a goal on four shots, blocked six shots and went plus-2 in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Kings in Game 3.
ANALYSIS
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Three assists in win
DColorado Avalanche
April 15, 2026
Makar recorded three assists in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Flames.
ANALYSIS
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Poised to play
DColorado Avalanche
April 14, 2026
Makar (upper body) is expected to be in the lineup Tuesday versus the Flames, Conor McGahey of Altitude TV reports.
ANALYSIS
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Remains unavailable
DColorado Avalanche
Upper Body
April 13, 2026
Makar (upper body) won't play against Edmonton on Monday, Conor McGahey of Altitude TV reports.
ANALYSIS
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Set to miss more time
DColorado Avalanche
Upper Body
April 7, 2026
Makar (upper body) will likely miss a few more games, Corey Masisak of The Denver Post reports Tuesday.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Avoids serious injury?
DColorado Avalanche
March 31, 2026
Makar's upper-body injury isn't believed to be serious, per Emily Kaplan of ESPN on Tuesday.
ANALYSIS
A timeline for Makar's return remains unclear, but it appears it won't be a long-term absence. He sustained the injury in Monday's 9-2 win over Calgary. Makar has amassed 20 goals and 75 points in 73 games this season.
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