Makar Should Be Hart Trophy Favorite

An interesting conversation this week around the NHL surrounds the Hart Trophy (it’s been a popular topic in the podcast world, as the one below suggests). Should it go to Nathan MacKinnon or Macklin Celebrini? Both players are putting together excellent seasons and making great cases for the award, putting a lot of voters in a bind halfway through the season. Somehow, the player who never enters these conversations is Cale Makar. 

It’s not just Makar being ignored but the defensemen are usually overlooked in the Hart Trophy voting. The last defenseman to win it was Chris Pronger in 2000. It’s in part because the Norris Trophy has turned into the MVP for the position, the same way the Vezina has for goaltenders, and the Cy Young in baseball is for pitchers. 

Makar’s value is underappreciated. This is the season where he can run away with the Norris and should win the Hart. He is the most valuable player in the NHL and took a good Colorado Avalanche team and made it dominant. 

Makar Isn’t Just The Best Defenseman, He’s Far & Beyond The Best

In 43 games, Makar has 13 goals, 38 assists, and 51 points. While he won’t hit the 30-goal mark like last season, there’s a good chance he has 100 points, something that was once a common occurrence for the position but is a rarity in the NHL these days. 

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Makar’s play on the offensive end often overshadows what he does defensively. He’s one of the best in the league in that regard as well, with 3.6 defensive point shares. His ability to shut down opponents and do so every night is why the Avalanche have a top defense and are a complete team. MacKinnon makes them an explosive team offensively, and Makar makes them a complete team that can win a Cup. 

The best forward in the game is a debate with three or four names, splitting votes depending on who is asked. The best defenseman in the NHL is not a debate. Yes, Zach Werenski has 16 goals, Moritz Seider is having a breakout season, and Matthew Schaefer provides a glimpse into the future but Makar still stands out. Connor Hellebuyck was the goaltender with that narrative last season, and it helped him win the Hart Trophy. Makar should have the same argument as well. 

Makar Doesn’t Have The Narrative But Has A Good One

A question voters might ask themselves is what they will remember from the season. Last season, it was Hellebuyck being so dominant in the net that the Winnipeg Jets won the Presidents’ Trophy (in hindsight, he deserved to win it, considering how the Jets have looked when he’s been injured). 

This season, it’s Celebrini leading the San Jose Sharks, a rebuilding team with minimal talent, to a playoff spot. He’s single-handedly carrying the team with 37 more points than the next-best player on the team. Along with that narrative, there’s the youth movement that has taken over the league, and Celebrini is leading the way. He has the best story and will be favored because of it. 

The other storyline in the NHL this season has been the Avalanche dominance. It’s why MacKinnon has a great case, leading the offense for the best team in the league. However, Makar is the player who makes everything work and doesn’t get the recognition for it. An honest question that fans and voters should ask themselves is what would happen to the Avalanche if Makar weren’t there. Presumably, the dropoff would be greater than a MacKinnon absence (although this is all hypothetical). 

How The Hart Will Ultimately Get Decided

Right now, the Hart Trophy looks like a two-horse race. It will probably come down to Celebrini and MacKinnon all season. McDavid is putting himself in the discussion as well with his play lately, although that was expected from the Edmonton Oilers superstar. The problem McDavid faces is the same one Makar ironically has with the Norris, which is voter fatigue and unless there’s a historic season, people lean towards the next-best name.

The odds are stacked against Makar. It’s why he needs a lot to go his way to end up winning the Hart. A great second half can put him in the discussion, and it can start with the Olympics. More importantly, Makar needs a “Hart Trophy Moment” where he takes over a big game or puts himself into the public eye on a national or international stage. 

The NHL voters don’t weigh the Olympics into consideration for a regular-season award. Yet, a big moment will have everyone on notice and will make it hard to ignore how valuable he is as a top defenseman in the league. Sidney Crosby had that moment in the 2010 Olympics, and McDavid had a similar one in the Four Nations. There will be a star who enters another tier in the 2026 Olympics.