Tied with Fox as the top scoring blueliner in the NCAA , Makar was the fourth overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft. He has a late birthday so was selected into the NHL one year after Fox despite being just eight months younger.
Makar may very well be the best player not currently in the NHL and the favourite to win the Hobey Baker. On the international stage, Makar starred for Canada at the 2017 WJC, at which he led all defencemen with three goals and eight points in seven games en route to the gold medal. After that, he was even asked to join Canada at the Olympics, but turned down the invitation to return to his NCAA team.
Just before the end of the NHL’s regular season, Avalanche coach Jared Bednar was asked about the prospects of adding Makar, and he said there was “every indication” the youngster could help the Avs come playoff time. Makar’s UMass-Amherst team is still going though, and will play against Denver in the Frozen Four semifinal Thursday night. If they beat the Pioneers, Makar’s team would play in the final on Saturday night.
If they go the distance, Makar could potentially be available to the Avs as soon as Game 3 on Monday night. Interestingly, Makar is a Calgary native and could play his first NHL games against his hometown team in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Should that series last until Game 5, he may even play a game in Calgary. Charlie McAvoy is the last defenceman to go right from the NCAA into the Stanley Cup Playoffs, joining the Bruins from Providence in 2017 recording three assists in six games.