Cale Makar named to NHL’s First All-Star Team

A silver lining to what could have been a disappointing NHL Awards night for Cale Makar, the Colorado Avalanche defenseman was named to the league’s First All-Star Team on Tuesday.

Makar, who finished as the runner up for Norris Memorial Trophy, which is given to the league’s top defenseman, was the only Avs player to earn First-Team honors.

Colorado forward Mikko Rantanen, however, was named to the Second All-Star Team, the first time he’s earned the postseason honor in his career.

During his second NHL season, Makar tallied 44 points, good enough for second among all defensemen. His 36 assists led all but two of his Avs teammates (forward Nathan MacKinnon and Rantanen).

In 44 games, Makar scored eight goals, tallied a plus/minus of 17, and earned a point share of 7.3.

Rantanen led all Colorado players in goals (30) and points (66) and came in second (36) to MacKinnon (45) in assists. His point share total was highest among all Avs players at 9.1.

Both MacKinnon and goaltender Philipp Grubauer finished in third among voting for their respective positions. Similarly, MacKinnon and Grubauer finished third in the Hart Memorial and Vezina trophy voting, which was also unveiled Tuesday night.

Avs captain Gabriel Landeskog and defensemen Devon Toews and Samuel Girard also tallied votes for post season All-Star Team honors but failed to make either squad.

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