Avalanche’s Cale Makar becomes franchise’s all-time goal leader for defensemen

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar scored his 76th career goal on Wednesday against the Washington Capitals, becoming the franchise’s all-time leader in goals for defenseman.

Going into the game, Makar was tied with Tyson Barrie for first on the all-time list with 75 goals. However, it took Barrie 484 games to get to 75, and Makar only 280.

Barrie is also the all-time points leader for defenseman in Avalanche history with 307. Through two periods against the Capitals, Makar has one goal and two assists for three points, putting him at 303 for his career. A monster performance for Makar against the Los Angeles Kings on Friday could help him pass Barrie before the All-Star break.

Only 25 years old and in his fifth full NHL season, Makar has evolved into one of the league’s greatest offensive blueliners in its 100-plus year history. Last Saturday, Makar became the second-fastest defenseman to reach 300 career points in NHL history, achieving the feat in 280 career games, just one shy of Bobby Orr, who scored 300 points in 279 career games.

Through 43 games this season, Makar has 11 goals and 46 assists for 57 points. He is well on pace to eclipse the career highs he reached during his 2021-22 Norris Trophy-winning campaign, where he scored 28 goals and 58 assists for 86 points. Makar was even more impressive that spring when he led the Avalanche with 29 points in the playoffs, helping the team win its third Stanley Cup championship and being awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy.

The No. 4 overall pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft spent two seasons dominating college hockey with UMass-Amherst, capped off with 16 goals and 33 assists for 49 points in 41 games, winning the Hobey Baker Award for the best player in the country in 2018-19.