TORONTO — Nathan MacKinnon used his opportunity Saturday to speak with local media members to campaign for Cale Makar to win the Norris Trophy. Makar called his play “pretty average.”
Their coach sided with MacKinnon, and it appears plenty of NHL fans would as well.
Makar and Alexandar Georgiev will join MacKinnon at the NHL’s all-star weekend here, the league announced Saturday shortly after the team’s morning skate at Scotiabank Arena. They were two of the 12 players added to the all-star rosters after a fan vote this past week.
“I’d just be honored to be picked,” Makar said earlier Saturday. “To be able to go with Nate would be pretty special. I guess we’d come back here in a couple weeks, so Toronto is a great spot.”
This is the third consecutive appearance for Makar, which ties Rob Blake (2001-04) for the longest in franchise history among defensemen. Makar is second among NHL defensemen with 48 points, three shy of Vancouver’s Quinn Hughes.
He’s also first in power-play points and tied for the most shorthanded among defensemen. Makar is also ninth in time on ice per game.
“He is the best defenseman in the world. I don’t think it’s close,” MacKinnon said. “We’re lucky to have him. He’s having a great year and he’ll probably add another Norris to his trophy case.”
Makar had a different take on his play to this point.
“My game I feel has been pretty average, if I’m being completely honest with you,” Makar said. “There’s been a lot of inconsistencies.”
Their coach did not agree with his self-assessment.
“Clearly having an exceptional season again,” Bednar said. “He’s definitely in the mix. He’d get my vote no question, knowing what he does for our team.
“I think that’s standard coming from guys like Cale and Mac. They have the same mentality. Real high expectations for themselves and for the team. I love that about those two guys.”
This is Georgiev’s first All-Star appearance. He leads all NHL goalies in wins, games played and starts. He is only the second Avalanche goalie to make the all-star game, and the first since Patrick Roy’s last appearance in 2003.
MacKinnon was one of the first 32 players selected, one for each team. The final 12 were added Saturday. Makar and Georgiev were two of the five players announced in the afternoon, with seven more just before the Avalanche and Maple Leafs dropped the puck.
Makar finished second among the skaters with more than 1 million votes. Georgiev was third among the goalies.
There will be a four-team draft on Feb. 1, the first night of all-star weekend. The game is Feb. 3 at Scotiabank Arena, with a 12-player skills competition slated for Feb. 2.
MacKinnon and Makar were both announced as participants for the skills event. The winner of the competition will earn $1 million.
While Makar is not impressed with his own play, he also decided this was a good time to stump for his buddy.
“I’ll throw that one back on Nate,” Makar said. “I feel he’s been the best forward. I think this is his year for all of the awards. He’s been pretty unreal.
“He’s driving us right now. Every single night he’s showing up. Just the compete that he has every single day and then in the games he is producing. It’s probably the best season I’ve seen him have, or the best stretch I’ve seen him have so far.”
