Makar becomes 9th defenseman ever with 30-goal season

Cale Makar etched himself into the NHL record books Thursday, becoming the ninth blue-liner in league history to record 30 goals in a season.

The Colorado Avalanche superstar notched the milestone marker with a one-time blast on the power play in his 77th game of the campaign against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Cale Makar is built different. #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/rNO2l7Xon5

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) April 4, 2025

Makar is the first defenseman to accomplish the feat since Mike Green potted 31 goals in just 68 games with the Washington Capitals in 2008-09. Prior to Green, it hadn't been done since Kevin Hatcher scored 34 in 1992-93 with the Caps.

The only other blue-liners to score 30 goals in a season are Hall of Famers Paul Coffey (four times), Ray Bourque, Phil Housley, Doug Wilson, Denis Potvin (three times), and Bobby Orr (five times). Coffey holds the single-season record for goals by a defenseman with 48, set in 1985-86 with the Edmonton Oilers.

Makar is widely considered the favorite to win the Norris Trophy as the league's top defenseman for the second time in his career. He previously won it in 2022 - the same year he won the Stanley Cup and took home the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. Makar's been a finalist for the Norris in every season since his Calder-Trophy winning rookie season in 2019-20.

The Avalanche drafted Makar fourth overall in 2017. He's tallied 116 goals and 425 points in 392 career games.

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