Cale
Makar
D · COL · Offensive · Elite
- PAL
- 94
- WAR
- 1.3
- Value
- 94
- PTS
- 79
2025-26№ 52 / 325
Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche) stats and profile: offensive production, ice time, advanced stats, WAR and PAL rating.
Cale Makar
HEIGHT : 183 cm · WEIGHT : 85 kg · SHOOTS : R
Born : October 29, 1998 · Calgary, Canada
Drafted : 2017 · COL · round 1, pick #4
Contract : $9,000,000 · 2021-22 → 2026-27 · Standard Contract (Extension) · UFA
NHL record
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | Colorado Avalanche | 17 | 5 | 16 | 21 | 2 |
| 2025-26 | Colorado Avalanche | 75 | 20 | 59 | 79 | 24 |
| 2024-25 | Colorado Avalanche | 80 | 30 | 62 | 92 | 14 |
| 2023-24 | Colorado Avalanche | 77 | 21 | 69 | 90 | 16 |
| 2022-23 | Colorado Avalanche | 60 | 17 | 49 | 66 | 30 |
| 2021-22 | Colorado Avalanche | 77 | 28 | 58 | 86 | 26 |
| 2020-21 | Colorado Avalanche | 44 | 8 | 36 | 44 | 12 |
| 2019-20 | Colorado Avalanche | 57 | 12 | 38 | 50 | 12 |
| NHL totals | 487 | 141 | 387 | 528 | 136 | |
Playoffs
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | Colorado Avalanche | 11 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 4 |
| 2024-25 | Colorado Avalanche | 7 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 2 |
| 2023-24 | Colorado Avalanche | 11 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 0 |
| 2022-23 | Colorado Avalanche | 6 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| 2021-22 | Colorado Avalanche | 20 | 8 | 21 | 29 | 10 |
| 2020-21 | Colorado Avalanche | 10 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 2 |
| 2019-20 | Colorado Avalanche | 15 | 4 | 11 | 15 | 0 |
| 2018-19 | Colorado Avalanche | 10 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 0 |
| Playoff totals | 90 | 26 | 64 | 90 | 24 | |
Honours
- 🏆 Stanley Cuponce · 2021-22
- 🏆 Calder Memorial Trophyonce · 2019-20
- 🏆 Conn Smythe Trophyonce · 2021-22
- 🏆 James Norris Memorial Trophy2 times · 2024-25, 2021-22
Cale Makar: our analysis
2025-26 season: 75 GP, 20 G, 59 A, 79 PTS, +32 +/-, 24:51 TOI. WAR 1.3 (52nd of 325) · PAL 94, elite.
In 2025-26, Cale Makar, 28, posts a PAL Rating of 94 out of 100 (elite), and his WAR of 1.3 ranks 52nd among 325 regulars, in the top quarter.
His strengths: offense (100, among the best in the league), discipline (99, among the best in the league) and shooting (98, among the best in the league). On the other hand, power play (4, among the weakest in the league) and penalty kill (27, below average) hold him back.
Breaking down his WAR (goals above average), his biggest contribution: finishing (+3.5); his biggest cost: power play (-2.2).
A slight dip from 2024-25, when his PAL was 99; his WAR went from 3.0 to 1.3.
Contract-wise, his Value score of 94 (exceptional value) weighs his output against what he costs: 50 is what that salary should buy.
Cale Makar's story
Raised in Calgary, Makar moved through local minor programs before choosing the Brooks Bandits route in the AJHL to keep NCAA options open. His junior years produced eye-catching offensive numbers and a string of league awards, setting him apart as an attack-minded defenceman well before NHL evaluators took note.
Instead of turning pro immediately, he honoured his commitment to the University of Massachusetts, joining the Minutemen in 2017. Across two collegiate seasons he assumed top-pairing responsibilities, earned rookie and all-star recognitions, and capped his sophomore year by winning the Hobey Baker Award as UMass reached the Frozen Four final in 2019.
Selected fourth overall by Colorado in the 2017 draft, Makar signed an entry-level deal on 14 April 2019 and made a memorable NHL debut the next night by scoring in his first playoff game. His early pro years brought rapid ascent: Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in 2020, a six-year, $54 million extension in 2021, and a prolific 2021–22 campaign that set a franchise single-season goal mark for a defenceman and produced 28 goals. That season ended with a Stanley Cup for Colorado and the Conn Smythe Trophy, and Makar captured the Norris Trophy as the league’s top defenceman in 2022 and again in 2025.
His career is marked by milestones and recognition: 100 points in 108 games, fastest to 200 points among defencemen in 195 games, multiple Norris nominations, and a first-ever suspension in 2023 during the playoffs. Internationally he has gold from the 2018 World Junior Championship, gold at the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off and Olympic silver in 2026.
In plain terms, Makar’s game rests on elite skating, playmaking from the blue line and an ability to finish. He mixes offensive instinct with the positional play needed on the back end, producing measurable impact through goals, assists and decisive plays when it matters most.
Facts drawn from Wikipédia, told in our own words.
Advanced stats
- TOI/GP
- 22:52
- PP TOI/GP
- 4:21
- SH TOI/GP
- 1:49
- Pts/GP
- 1.24
- EV points
- 14
- Hits
- 4
- Blocks
- 19
- Takeaways
- 4
- Corsi % (SAT)
- 56.8 %
- Off. zone starts
- 44.7 %
Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)
2026-27 projection
Projected points
86between 61 and 103 (80% range)
- Goals
- 21
- Assists
- 64
- Games
- 78
So far: 21 pts in 17 games. The team has played 18 of 84 games. Projected pace: 1.05 pts per game (last season: 1.05).
The projection follows last season's pace. Tested on 2,265 player seasons (2022-23 to 2025-26): average miss of 9 points over 82 games; for players at 0.9 points per game and up, it ran 5 points high on average.
Trend
Stable
- Points per game: 1.17 in 23-24, 1.05 in 25-26
- PAL Rating: 99 → 94
Outlook, age included
→ StableAge 27: prime years
This is only a projection. It knows nothing about injuries, trades or role changes; one player in five finishes outside the range.
Player ratings, 2025-26
All ratings →Fourteen ratings from 0 to 100 drawn from data, never by hand: 75 = established NHL player, 95+ = elite.
OV · OverallConfidence 88 %
96
NHL elite
- SK
- Skating
- 98
- Confidence 73 %
- ST
- Strength
- 37
- Confidence 90 %
- EN
- Endurance
- 95
- Confidence 80 %
- DU
- Durability
- 82
- Confidence 77 %
- CK
- Checking
- 63
- Confidence 90 %
- FG
- Fighting
- 60
- Confidence 64 %
- DI
- Discipline
- 97
- Confidence 90 %
- FO
- Faceoffs
- —
- PA
- Passing
- 95
- Confidence 88 %
- SC
- Scoring
- 97
- Confidence 88 %
- DF
- Defense
- 71
- Confidence 85 %
- PS
- Penalty shot
- 42
- Confidence 33 %
- EX
- Experience
- 85
- Confidence 100 %
Why these ratings?Hide details
SK — Skating98
- Top speed (35 %)37.4 · 97
- Bursts > 20 mph /60 (30 %)6.131 · 97
- Distance /60 (20 %)14.7 · 86
- Speed consistency (15 %)36.9 · 98
ST — Strength37
- Contact absorbed /60 (50 %)1.857 · 37
- Body mass (50 %)-0.858 · 60
EN — Endurance95
- Ice time per game (45 %)23.1 · 95
- Total ice time (20 %)1,793 · 87
- Shift length (15 %)54.7 · 92
- Lowest recent ice time per game (15 %)22.6 · 98
- Special-teams time per game (5 %)5.337 · 98
DU — Durability82
- Share of games played (100 %)0.859 · 82
CK — Checking63
- Hits /60 (70 %)1.691 · 61
- Lowest seasonal rate (20 %)1.549 · 64
- Season volume (10 %)3.584 · 69
FG — Fighting60
- Fights per 82 games (100 %)0.67 · 60
DI — Discipline97
- Net penalty value /60 (50 %)0.059 · 97
- Penalties taken /60 (30 %)0.388 · 88
- Penalties drawn /60 (20 %)0.734 · 92
PA — Passing95
- Primary assists /60 (40 %)0.978 · 97
- Secondary assists /60 (20 %)0.864 · 93
- Offensive creation (RAPM) (20 %)-0.001 · 75
- Power-play points /60 (10 %)6.176 · 96
- Assist consistency (10 %)0.783 · 97
SC — Scoring97
- Goals /60 (25 %)0.675 · 97
- Individual xG /60 (20 %)0.47 · 97
- Finishing (goals − xG per shot) (20 %)0.939 · 92
- High-danger chances /60 (15 %)0.292 · 92
- xG per shot (10 %)0.041 · 96
- Shot attempts /60 (10 %)17.1 · 97
DF — Defense71
- RAPM defense /60 (35 %)0.044 · 77
- Relative xG against (20 %)0.173 · 61
- On-ice xG against /60 (15 %)2.573 · 78
- Penalty kill /60 (10 %)-0.265 · 56
- Takeaways − giveaways /60 (10 %)-1.187 · 92
- Shot attempts against /60 (5 %)61.5 · 51
- Blocked shots /60 (5 %)4.085 · 70
PS — Penalty shot42
- Shootouts (60 %)29.8 · 53
- Penalty shots (40 %)24.2 · 46
EX — Experience85
- Career regular-season games (65 %)87
- Career playoff games (25 %)85
- NHL seasons (10 %)71
OV — Overall96
- DF · Defense (30 %)71
- PA · Passing (22 %)95
- SK · Skating (12 %)98
- SC · Scoring (12 %)97
- EN · Endurance (9 %)95
- ST · Strength (6 %)37
- DI · Discipline (5 %)97
- CK · Checking (4 %)63
| Season | OV | SK | SC | DF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 96 | 98 | 97 | 71 |
| 2024-25 | 97 | 98 | 98 | 76 |
| 2023-24 | 98 | 98 | 97 | 80 |
| 2022-23 | 98 | 97 | 95 | 78 |
The bars show confidence (sample size), not player quality. — : not enough data, not a zero. Engine version 1.0.
WAR and PAL ratings, 2025-26
How we rate →PAL Rating scores performance from 0 to 100 against players at the same position (50 = average player), starting from the player's strength, offensive or defensive. Value Rating compares that performance with what the player costs: 50 means paid what the play is worth.
WAR
1.3
wins above replacement
52 of 325
PAL Rating
94/ 100
Performance · Elite
15 of 250 at the position
Value Rating
94/ 100
Exceptional value
9.00 M$ · expected PAL 74
ProfileOffensiveValue comes mostly from offense
- Offense
- 95
- Defense
- 44
See full detailsHide details
- Offense
- 100
- Creation
- 93
- Shooting
- 98
- Possession
- 71
- Defense
- 42
- Discipline
- 99
- Power play
- 4
- Penalty kill
- 27
From 0 to 100; 50 is the average player at the same position, adjusted for ice time.
| Season | Team | WAR | PAL | Value | Cap hit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | COL | 1.3 | 94 | 94 | 9.00 M$ |
| 2024-25 | COL | 3.0 | 99 | 100 | 9.00 M$ |
| 2023-24 | COL | 1.5 | 99 | 99 | 9.00 M$ |
| 2022-23 | COL | 1.5 | 99 | 98 | 9.00 M$ |
Hockey IQ, 2025-26
Rankings and method →The quality of the player's decisions with and against the puck at 5-on-5, against regulars at the same position (50 = average). PAL measures output; IQ measures how the player plays.
Overall IQ
99/ 100
Elite
better than 99% of defensemen, offense and defense combined
Offensive IQ
98/ 100
Elite
passing, shots, puck
Defensive IQ
99/ 100
Elite
takeaways, discipline, own zone
Overall IQ isn't an average of the two scores: it's the player's rank with offense and defense combined, 2 of 225 defensemen.
See full detailsHide details
Offense
- Playmaking passes
- 99
- Shot selection
- 90
- Penalties drawn
- 83
- Puck management
- 92
Defense
- Takeaways
- 97
- Discipline
- 59
- Safe zone exits
- 98
Percentiles: 80 means better than 80% of regulars at the same position. Play without the puck (positioning, coverage) isn't measured: the NHL doesn't publish that data.
| Season | Team | IQ | Off. | Def. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | COL | 99 | 98 | 99 |
| 2024-25 | COL | 100 | 100 | 99 |
| 2023-24 | COL | 100 | 97 | 99 |
| 2022-23 | COL | 99 | 96 | 96 |
WAR, 2025-26
How it's calculated →Wins added to the team, compared with a replacement-level player called up from the AHL.
1.3
wins above replacement
-0.2 to 2.1 — 90% interval
52 of 325 defensemen
+6.8 goals above replacement
Full leaderboard →See full detailsHide details
- EV offense
- +0.2
- EV defense
- +0.2
- Power play
- -2.2
- Penalty kill
- -0.7
- Shooting
- +3.5
- Penalties
- +1.9
- Average → replacement
- +3.8
In goals.
| Season | Team | GP | WAR | 90% interval | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | COL | 75 | 1.3 | -0.2 to 2.1 | 52/325 |
| 2024-25 | COL | 78 | 3.0 | 1.8 to 4.1 | 5/314 |
| 2023-24 | COL | 77 | 1.5 | -0.0 to 3.3 | 26/316 |
| 2022-23 | COL | 60 | 1.5 | 0.3 to 3.1 | 26/334 |
Player tracking (NHL EDGE)
League EDGE leaderboards →Speed, shot power, distance covered, time by zone: measured by chips in the puck and shoulder pads. 90th percentile = better than 90% of players.
- Hardest shot
- 164.0 km/h100th percentileleague avg. 139.7 km/h
- Top skating speed
- 36.5 km/h96th percentileleague avg. 34.0 km/h
- Bursts over 20 mph, season
- 3298th percentileleague avg. 8
- Offensive zone time
- 47.5 %97th percentileleague avg. 42.4 %
See full detailsHide details
- Total distance, season
- 90.4 km90th percentileleague avg. 56.1 km
- Distance, single-game high
- 6.28 km88th percentileleague avg. 4.98 km
- Offensive zone at 5v5
- 46.3 %96th percentileleague avg. 42.8 %
- Neutral zone time
- 17.7 %27th percentileleague avg. 16.9 %
- Defensive zone time
- 34.8 %98th percentileleague avg. 40.8 %
Shooting
| Shots on goal | Goals | Shooting % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All | 4698th percentile | 599th percentile | 10.9 %80th percentile |
| High danger | 287th percentile | 198th percentile | 50.0 %91st percentile |
| Mid range | 1397th percentile | 297th percentile | 15.4 %66th percentile |
| Long range | 2599th percentile | 195th percentile | 4.0 %69th percentile |
Shots on goal by zone
2026-2027 regular season. Measured by puck and player tracking chips; the percentile ranks the player within the league.
Game log, 2026-27
DET
NSH
CBJ
CHI
CGY
NJD
TBL
PHI
PIT
DAL
TOR
WPG
STL
LAKCale Makar: frequently asked questions
How many goals does Cale Makar have in 2026-27?
Cale Makar has 5 goals and 21 points (16 assists) in 17 games in 2026-27.
How old is Cale Makar?
Cale Makar is 28 years old: he was born on October 30, 1998.
How tall is Cale Makar, and how much does he weigh?
Cale Makar is 6'0" (183 cm) and weighs 187 lb (85 kg).
Where is Cale Makar from?
Canada: Cale Makar was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
What team does Cale Makar play for?
Cale Makar plays for the Colorado Avalanche in the NHL, at D, wearing number 8.
Is Cale Makar injured?
No: Cale Makar is not on the latest NHL injury report. This answer is updated throughout the season.
How good is Cale Makar?
Cale Makar produced 1.3 wins above replacement (WAR) in 2025-26, 52nd of 325 players at his position in the NHL. His PAL rating is 94 out of 100: elite for his position.
How much does Cale Makar make?
Cale Makar earns $9.0M for the 2025-26 season. His Value Rating is 94 out of 100 (exceptional value): it measures the on-field return for that salary, compared with players at his position.
When does Cale Makar's contract end?
Cale Makar's contract runs through the 2026-27 season; he will then be an unrestricted free agent.
Is Cale Makar overpaid?
No, he gives more than he costs. His Value rating is 94 out of 100 (exceptional value), where 50 is the output expected for his salary, compared with players at his position.
Is Cale Makar a top-10 player at his position?
No: by WAR, he ranks 52nd of 325 players at his position in the NHL in 2025-26. Our comparison tool puts him side by side with any other player.
Is Cale Makar getting better?
No, he is slipping: his PAL rating went from 99 in 2024-25 to 94 in 2025-26 (out of 100, 50 = average player at his position).
How has Cale Makar played lately?
Over his last 10 games, Cale Makar has 12 points (2 goals, 10 assists).
What are Cale Makar's career stats?
Over his NHL career, Cale Makar has 487 games, 141 goals, 387 assists and 528 points. His best season: 2024-25, with 92 points in 80 games.
Where was Cale Makar drafted?
Cale Makar was drafted 4th overall (round 1) by Colorado Avalanche in 2017.
Is Cale Makar better at home or on the road?
At home: in 2026-27, he averages 1.30 points per game at home (13 in 10 games) and 1.14 on the road (8 in 7 games).
How does Cale Makar perform in the playoffs?
In the playoffs, Cale Makar has 90 games and 90 points in his career. His pace (1.00 points per game) is lower than his regular-season pace (1.08).
Which player is most similar to Cale Makar?
Olen Zellweger: he is the player at his position whose PAL profile (the 0-to-100 dimensions) is closest to his in 2025-26.
Olen Zellweger's page →Is Cale Makar a good fantasy pick?
Yes, a top-tier pick: our projection has him at 86 points in 2026-27, or 1.10 points per game.
Does Cale Makar have siblings?
Yes: his brother Taylor Makar (Avalanche prospect; drafted by the Avalanche in the 7th round in 2021; signed a one-year entry-level contract on March 31, 2025).
Is Cale Makar related to anyone famous?
Yes: Mark Logan (cousin, played from 2015 to 2019 at the Rochester Institute of Technology); Tom Lysiak (his father's cousin).
Is Cale Makar married?
Yes, married to Tracy Evans in August 2024.
What is Cale Makar's nationality?
Cale Makar is Canadian. Internationally: Canada: gold at the 2018 World Junior Championships; gold at the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off; silver at the 2026 Winter Olympics (named an alternate captain).
What awards has Cale Makar won?
Hobey Baker Award (collegiate) — 2019 ; Calder Memorial Trophy (rookie of the year) — 2020 ; James Norris Memorial Trophy (top defenceman) — 2022 ; Conn Smythe Trophy (playoff MVP) — 2022 ; James Norris Memorial Trophy (top defenceman) — 2025.
How many championships has Cale Makar won?
3: Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche — 2022; AJHL championship with the Brooks Bandits — 2015–16; AJHL championship with the Brooks Bandits — 2016–17.
Where did Cale Makar play before turning pro?
Brooks Bandits (AJHL) — 2015–2017; UMass Minutemen (NCAA, Hockey East) — 2017–2019.
How many points is Cale Makar projected to score in 2026-27?
Our projection has him at 86 points in 78 games in 2026-27 (61 to 103 points, 80% interval), based on his recent seasons, age and role.
See also: his Colorado Avalanche teammates
Full roster →
NHL.com ↗ · Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)