It goes without saying that Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar is without a doubt the top young blue liner in the National Hockey League today, and he has the personal accolades to prove it. Not only is he the reigning Norris Trophy winner as the top defenseman in the National Hockey League, but he's also the reining Conn Smythe Trophy winner as the Most Valuable Player in the 2022 Stanley Cup postseason that saw Colorado achieve ultimate glory for the first time in 21 years.
If the Avalanche have any reasonable shot at repeating as champions, Makar's presence will be integral. But right now, he's on the shelf with an injury - and according to the team, there's no clear timetable for a potential return to action with the postseason right on deck.
Makar, who has already missed 10 games this season due to a concussion, did not play in his team's 6-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks and isn't expected to play against the Los Angeles Kings tonight. Meanwhile, veteran forward Darren Helm is also sidelined with a lower body injury; there's no timetable for his return to the lineup either.
With 66 points in the 60 games that Makar has been healthy enough to play in this season for the defending champion Avalanche, he's over a point per game player.
