OTTAWA, Ontario — Cale Makar’s hips often lie.
A gifted skater, the Avalanche defenseman has the unusual ability to change direction and disguise his shot before defenders realize what they’re up against. His hips move faster than most players think.
If Makar doesn’t identify a passage in between bodies and use his potent wrist shot from the point, he can skate around the defense and score in the grade-A areas much like a forward.
This is what makes Makar special, like Paul Coffey. Or even exceptional, like Bobby Orr.
And it’s why the 23-year-old may soon find himself joining their hallowed ranks, or, short of that, alongside the likes of Doug Wilson, Kevin Hatcher, Mike Greene, Phil Housely and Ray Bourque — the only other NHL defensemen to score 30 goals in a season.