Avalanche's Cale Makar may force the NHL to do something they've never done before
Photo credit: AP Photo / David Zalubowski
Colorado Avalanche superstar defenseman Cale Makar may push the NHL to take unprecedented action, potentially changing something in league history that has never happened before.
In today's NHL, the Norris Trophy can be deceiving, as it often rewards point production over true defensive impact, leaving some elite blueliners undervalued despite their critical role in shutting down opponents.
Cale Makar has the potential to force the NHL into a move it's never attempted before.
Bart Karnes from Dallas Sports Nation writes that that when it comes to NHL awards, offensive stats dominate the conversation.
Unless you're a goaltender, it's nearly impossible to win unless you put up big point totals. The league has long been driven by goals and points, a trend that has been especially pronounced since the 2025 lockout.
Offense is vital, but the NHL should showcase all skills, not just scoring. Today, we'll focus on the other side of the blue line and why one more trophy could benefit the league.
"The James Norris Memorial trophy is given to the best defenseman according to the voters. But this award is only given to defensemen who play offensively. Historically, it's always been that way with 37 of 64 total winners leading in points. Over the last eight years, all but one Norris recipient was the points leader amongst blue liners for those respective seasons." -Karnes
The Norris Trophy often favours offense over true defensive skill. The NHL could improve by creating seperate awards: one for offensive defenseman like Makar, and another, perhaps named after Niklas Lidstrom, for elite two-way or strictly defensive player like Miro Heiskanen and Chris Tanev.
"There is an annual award for the best defensive forward, the Frank J Selke trophy. Where forwards are celebrated for playing defense. Yet the Norris trophy is never given for defensemen who play great defense. Defensemen like Jacob Slavin of the Carolina Hurricanes, and of course Miro Heiskanen of the Dallas Stars aren't your award winners. Not even blue liners who play a straight defense like Chris Tanev of the Toronto Maple Leafs, who's also a former Star, would never win the trophy." -Karnes
The NHL celebrates forwards who play elite defense with the Selke Trophy, yet the Norris almost never rewards defenseman for actually defending.
Players like Slavin, Heiskanen, or shutdown specialists like Tanev don't stand a chance.
The NHL should market the full value of its game. Many fans appreciate the blue-collar side of hockey, the shot-blockers, penalty killers, and physical defenders.
If forwards can have both a Hart and Selke, then defensemen deserve the same balance: one award for offense, and one for true defensive play.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 30 | 30 ANSWERS Avalanche's Cale Makar may force the NHL to do something they've never done before Should the NHL introduce another trophy for defenseman? | ||
| yes | 23 | 76.7 % |
| no | 7 | 23.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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