Avs’ Makar sees similarities in fellow defenseman Hughes
Avalanche rookie sensation Cale Makar and Vancouver’s Quinn Hughes were neck and neck in the Calder Trophy race when the NHL season was put on pause in March.
In an appearance on Altitude TV on Tuesday, Makar discussed the similarities between the two young defensemen jostling to be named the league’s rookie of the year.
Hughes (53 points) and Makar (50) sit atop the rookie scoring race, with the latter leading all first-year players in points-pergame (.88). Both offensiveminded players played two
years of college hockey — Hughes at Michigan and Makar for the Massachusetts Minutemen.
“We both use our skating and we’re just versatile in that aspect of the game,” Makar said. “We’re able to break pucks out and help our team’s D zone to a certain extent. He’s very effective on the power play. The way the game is moving, all D-men need to think the game, and move the game, very fast nowadays.”
Makar leads all rookie defensemen with 12 goals and Hughes sits atop all those players with 45 assists. Colorado selected Makar with the No. 4 pick of the 2017 draft and the Canucks chose Hughes at No. 7 overall in 2018.
Makar, 21, is isolating with his family at their home in Calgary during the coronavirus pandemic. He said he typically works out at 9:30 a.m. and then runs or takes a long walk in the afternoon as a way of staying in shape in case the NHL resumes its season at some point.
“Just trying to stay active, trying to stay on top of things,” Makar said. “It’s hard but I guess it’s a job now, so it’s definitely a different (time) … It’s starting to get nicer up here in Calgary now, so maybe some biking.”
Despite being a rookie, Makar is among those who believed the Avalanche could have made a long playoff run — and still might. Makar made his NHL debut in the playoffs with Colorado a year ago, playing 10 games after UMass lost to MinnesotaDuluth in the NCAA championship game.
“Honestly, this year, it felt like we were starting to roll, and we were going to start getting guys back soon — (back) into the lineup,” Makar said. “Obviously, it’s an unfortunate end but hopefully we can get back to it. I think we all were in the same mindset that we felt we could have a run at it this year.”
He added: “Everybody wants to come back and play. I think the main thing for everybody is, we all want it to be safe — not only safe for us but for the fans as well … It’s a learning curve for us, but I think everybody is finding unique ways to stay in shape.”