When the Colorado Avalanche drafted Cale Makar fourth overall in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, they thought he was going to be good - it’s hard to believe anyone thought he would be this good, this quickly. At 21-years old, Makar is already one of the best defensemen in the NHL and it’s only a matter of time before he’s an annual mainstay among the Norris Trophy finalists.
Technically still a rookie this season - despite making his debut in the 2019 playoffs - Makar finished the year as a top pairing defender on a Stanley Cup contender.