Makar’s footwork is exemplary. His stick-work is sublime. His acceleration is hard to believe. Best of all, his awareness of player positions is top notch.
Great video. Old-timers like myself who grew up in the Bobby Orr era agree that Makar has the skills to become a totally dominant player like Bobby was in his day. I don't think he or anyone else will ever beat Orr's unbelievable records, but he is showing the kind of outstanding talent that put him right up there with the most legendary NHL defensemen. A Norris, a Conn Smythe and a Stanley at the age of only 23 is wonderful to see. This is great for the game and I hope he continues to become even more successful.
I agree with you Joe. Cale's instincts and movement completely remind me of Bobby Orr. It's good to watch transition game. Cale is a superior offensive-defenseman and his team supports him by covering for him.
Would love to see someone play Orr-like in the modern systematic era. We need players to break the mold & bring back the creativity of yesteryears that's kinda been lacking.
You're right that nobody will be better than guys like Orr and Gretzky in raw numbers, but a lot of that is tied to the fact that it's a *lot* more difficult to score a goal in 2022 than it was in their days. Although Gretzky was *so* much better than everyone that I'd never even hint that someone will ever be as dominant as he was. It's about how good you are relative to your peers and the league, and Makar is well above them and the video is right, I don't think we've seen someone this far ahead of the league at D since Lidstrom. And Lidstrom wasn't this good at 23.
@@cwolf208 I think what makes players like Makar & McDavid exciting to watch is they're so dynamic, like Orr was. Gretzky & Lidstrom were great, but they made it look so easy, so damn easy.
If Makar stays healthy, he will easily go past Orr in goals, assists, total points and GP. He's only playing his 4th full NHL season, and already has SC, Norris, Conn Smythe and obviously Calder. Probably not going to break EVERY single Orr record, but most of them and the ones that matter. Makar has made more points in his first 3 seasons than Orr did in his first 3 seasons. Orr scored 120p in his 4th season, and this is Makar's 4th season so remains to be seen how Makar does. PS. Not trying to take anything away from Orr's achievements, Makar is just a different kind of a beast and one of a kind.
@@day1avsfan907 Oh poor Avs fans, only a decade? Try being a Minnesota fan, we're so used to mediocrity we just expect to make the playoffs every year, just to lose in the first round. Ya'll have 3 Cups.
Avs fan here. Edmonton and Colorado are watching 2 of the best players to play the game in a long time! What a treat it is to watch Connor and Cale play all the time for these fan bases!
I found this video very informative. Also I am homeless myself, living in Oregon. (we don't have an NHL team). Glad to know that there are hockey organizations out there that help us that are struggling. Thank you to all involved.
Makar is the McDavid of d men and will dominate for years. Your analysis is spot on. His edge work and acceleration is second to none and put his hockey sense on top of all that and you arguably have the best player in the league.
@@hockeypsychology I'm pretty shocked Miro Heskinen isn't being mentioned as his game is pretty similar to that of Makar. He may not be quite as solid with the edges but he's every bit as good in the transition, initiating the rush, and being a part of a solid chance or three as the result of the former. He finds his gap through positioning and having a smooth, speedy stride.
I think the most important part is the coaching in Colorado. They gave him the green light to utilize all that skill. Many others like Karlsson in Ottawa had to break through their coaches limitations
@@BasedAurelius EXACTLY! Bednar is the best NHL coach at utilizing each player's strengths and minimizing their mistakes. He rarely ever shouts at players because he truly communicates with his guys, something most coaches don't do.
YUP and coaches developing those skills, Seider in Detroit was mostly taught stay at home D in youth hockey, then Detroit coaches encouraged him to jump in and push the play and his skills.
Very good analysis. You just got yourself a new subscriber. Makar’s inside and outside edge work is really impressive. And the flexibility he has in his hips to do what he does is incredible. Then you add in his Hockey I.Q, his vision, his ability to adjust (hand placement on his stick and reaction to the players applying pressure), and his confidence and you have yourself a generational player. A treat to watch
hockey is so much transition - when you have a guy who can turn the puck the other way that fast it creates so many odd man rushes / offensive chances - what they are overlooking is - there are not that many guys with those tools
One other thing he does which is on an elite level is when he's on the PP, teams put a forward out high to try and effectively cut the O Zone in half, pushing the puck to one side or the other. Not sure what team Colorado was playing last year in the playoffs, but he dropped the high forward's jock three times in a row using his Mohawk (heel-to-heel) edge work and stick handling. Even the commentator had to point out that he did it twice to the same forward and then again on the second team PK forward. He's just on another level all together and only getting better. He's very much like McDavid, a true generational player you won't see again for a long time. Enjoy it while you can, we're all witnessing history right now!
I'm an Avs fan, and I don't even remember which game or player or team you're talking about because Makar has done that so many times lol. We played the following teams in this past season: Round 1 - Nashville (swept) Round 2 - St Louis (6 games) Round 3 - Edmonton (swept) Round 4 - Tampa Bay (6 games)
Dunno why this popped up amongst all my baseball content. But the video is great and engaging. I don't know anything about hockey but I might watch a game or two now
from a technical standpoint Makar is bringing Crosby like edge work to the blue line, and mixing that with all the rush abilities that karlsons used to have with some great stick work defensively
I am fortunate in that I saw Bobby Orr play in his prime. Now I get see Cale Makar and he is as much a joy to watch as Orr. I find myself shaking my head at Makar's super elite skill just as I marveled at Orr's.
I've been doing the same thing.... in a division 5 beer league team... my transitions blew everyone away.... when I got the chance... and that's on top of shutting down offenses, killing power plays, and making laser focused tape-to-tape passes only seen in Junior A and higher levels of elite hockey. I'm an offensive defenseman... until about the third period when I run out of gas. Then, I switch to defensive defenseman.
Funny I can remember back in high school we had one stand out defense man great puck handling , smooth moves and he moved it up fast as well, I’m sure the coach wanted him to pass and stay back, but he would move it up anyway, he went on to play some great hockey in denver😊
I just hope he stays healthy. Erik Karlsson was about to absolutely blow the league apart from the D position like Makar is doing but that injury really stopped him.
So much fun to watch this kid excel at UMASS. Coach Carvel is doing so much right with this team to produce players of this caliber season after season. Hockey east baby!
4:35 - This is the primary reason Avalanche won the cup. Having the benefit of a "new" player revolutionizing the game was a difference maker in almost every game. Anyone who watched enough games last season in particular would see that not only is Makar jumping up in the play but so is Toews and Byram. In this instance, a forward supports on the blue line and/or defensively. Colorado doesn't make 1 player play defense but during a rush the D quarterbacks the play with 3 wingers attacking then 1 forward backs off for D support or a point shot (Mack took a lot of shots from the blue line with this play). I think you are correct though, there will be a team that combats this to mitigate the power of this play While McDavid is significant, we've always seen fast players in the league, Kariya, St.Louis, Gaborik etc. He is incredibly talented and we haven't seen someone as good as him in a long time, but I don't think McDavid is revolutionizing his position. Makar however, is changing the way a defense is played and utilized. Niedermayer and Coffee probably are the closest comparables I've seen to Makar, but Makar is on another level.
Makar's CF average is 61 so far and topped out over 65 at 22 yo. I know they're different positions but he kind of looks like what you'd get if Datsyuk was playing the blue line.
@@frankjoseph7456 Yeah. I know points are the easiest stats to understand but when you really think about it, if there's a 3 on 1 rush and you only have one guy back who would you want it to be regardless of position? I would argue that Lidstrom and Datsyuk are top 5 of the 21st century and Makar is obviously in that group as well.
You cant speculate on "best ever" at this point in his young career, but if you look at the other players you compare him to, this fellow is in a category of his own. If he can stay healthy, he's only going to get bigger & better/ more experienced, faster etc.
Makar is so god damn good and I don't think he receives enough credit or attention. Everyone's always drooling over McDavid, but Makar dunked all over him in their playoff series. Hope he stays healthy and Avalanche has another good season this year.
Some of that has to do with the impact a defenseman can have versus a forward. Defense more naturally can both prevent goals and contribute to scoring goals, but it takes a special player to do that. It's just rare to see someone able to do that like Makar does, and it's part of why people who saw Bobby Orr play in the 70s say how good he was.
When you are able to evade checks one on one, any system breaks down. That’s not a problem you fix. Defenders are stuck between giving him time and space or being exposed when he confuses them with deceptive moves and speed. Opponents will have to become students of his arsenal of manoeuvres and become more adept skaters to stay with him or they will have no success with Makar.
I disagree. The League has changed they way the game is played. They want hitting and fighting out of the league. Every player in the league could line him up and roll h8s eye into the back of his brain. Difference now is young player know their protected so they take chances and look better that they are. The NHL is nothing but a glorified pickup league now. Bring back hitting ANZ guys like maker would never make it.
@@Dirtytanker hahahaha wow. Back in my day... Use your brain pal. He's quite adept at avoiding hits. You want to know why hitting is down? Analytics, I don't mean concussion effects analytics, I mean possession and winning hockey games analytics. Hockey was a bit reluctant to change until reliable analytics and experience told hockey to change. All about the W. It's ok you know, if hockey gets better and you have less awesome hits to quench your thirst for others to entertain you with their pain. They couldn't hit Gretzky or Orr either. And you cost your team more than helping them, by going for the big hit, ask anyone in hockey, absolutely anyone. They play the numbers, and the numbers are quite clear. If there is a 70% chance it is the wrong decision, you aren't going to do it as often. If teams are awoken by dick plays, more than intimidated in today's world, you aren't going to get them going for nothing. Especially the Avs, you let them sleep.
To the OP, seems teams are more successful giving him space back there, he beats guys too consistently compared to creating goals through traffic. He's gonna beat them if they back off him, but Tampa limited him better by backing off, and most days that's the lesser of evils. So far no success with Makar, just block the lanes as best you can and defend the interior. Or give up a grade A more often.
@@Dirtytanker So basically, you don't know anything about hockey. There's still hitting...and Makar is usually the one dishing out hits too. But the problem is, the guys who can hit him hard, can't catch him. I've watched him since he started, and he has evaded hits WITH the puck that most guys can't avoid WITHOUT it. You can't hit what you can't catch. Honestly, I would say that in a hard hitting league, Cale would only be MORE dominant.
What Makar does with his speed and edge work, Fox does with vision, stickhandling, and an ability to manipulate pace of play. Fox uses stretch passes as breakouts to generate those odd man rushes highlighted in this video. Then, Igor is able to leave his crease to handle the puck and launch passes from one end to the other. Watching the Avs team speed to generate scoring opportunities is unbelievable. I would say, it’s completely different but the Rangers have some elite playmakers who push the pace with their passing and vision to mimic the Avs speed.
you have to be kidding - Makar is a great player - but he is not close to Orr no where near - he made pro's look like little kids chasing him around - again no knock at all on Makar but in my lifetime I have seen probably 80 next Bobby Orr's there has never been one close - Gretzky I guess though he was a center they used to say that about him when he was a teen
His micro footwork and nimble stick work make him a very formidable defence man, so refreshing to see such skills in the game today. The standard of NHL play is so high now and faster paced too. I love the game.
i remember them saying the same thing about Bobby Orr in the 60s...he was the first defensemen who would join the rush up ice, instead of staying back....
I'm from Chicago, but I went to college in Connecticut. I was a freshman in 1971-72. I remember the Bruins had a pretty good defenseman that year. He could carry the puck end to end in a way I'd never seen before. I wish I could remember his name.🤔
Makar is one of my favorite players. Just saw the AVs beat the Golden Knights in Vegas. My favorite part of Makar's game is how he dances on the blue line.
As a defenseman Makar and Erik Johnson are some of my greatest idols, I’ve been replicating their game + adding in my own strengths to it and it works amazingly. I’ve always been proud of my footwork and then when i started trying to replicate Makar it just made it better
@@JS-kb4bk Well, I've never played hockey before, so while I understand the basics of it this video made me experience an 'Aha' moment where I started to understand what a team is trying do(on a deeper level) and how a player(and an opposing team) can exploit that(on a deeper level).It's kinda like 1998 and I bought season tickets to the Long Beach Ice Dogs(a long defunct team from the IHL(a long defunct hockey league)) and I made a point to buy my tickets on the second tier and in the corner. Watching hockey at that level with that sight line gave me an 'Aha' experience where I saw shooting and passing lanes open up and I then understood the game 'that much better'. But, you weren't there with me, so you probably wouldn't understand what I am saying.(on a side note: maybe my original comment was just me being facetious...)
@@radioactive9861 I didn't really expect a response, I assumed you were just trolling or a paid subscriber. I was just surprised how someone could watch hockey for 44 years and not see how systematic it is when you get a birds eye view from your TV. Especially for playoff games, where coach's are making major changes every period
@@JS-kb4bk In all fairness to you, I haven't been 'religiously' watching hockey for 44 years. I have been a 'casual fan'... which is my fault for misrepresenting myself, and my experience. I guess what I should have said was. 'Wow, I learned something from this video.' mea culpa
He's going to be one of the best and trust me I am a avalanche band from the word go I live in Colorado when they moved to Colorado the nordics thank you thank you for giving us a great hockey team Canada but that kid is phenomenal yeah he'll win a few more Stanley cups before he's done
The first play reminded me of Crosby. I think Makar is now quite skilled, and as his career progresses he is very likely to add even more brain plays to his game, executing crafty moves that will change his game and keep a bit ahead of the players who are trying to defend him. I really look forward to seeing it happen.
Great video. The reason that I'm not sure that Cale Makar will change the way the game is played is because to do what he does, you need the natural talent. I'm not sure that you can develop a Cale Makar type layer at that high level. The last time I saw a defenceman who could be match Cale Maker's skills and skating, there were 18 teams in the NHL, and that guy used a wooden stick and his skate blade suports were all metal and Wayne Gretzky was too young to drive a car. Hockey fans today are very fortunate to see players like Makar and McKinnon ON THE SAME TEAM! Until sometime this century I didn't think I'd ever see a hockey player defenceman or forward worthy of comparison with Bobby Orr. Today, there is a forward and a defenceman worthy of such. Though it's debatable as to whether Makar is as great a Orr, I'm pretty sure that it's safe to say that McKinnon is better than Espo.
You're right about Orr and Makar not really changing the game. There is just no one else who can do what they do. (It was the Russians, especially Anatoly Tarasov, who really changed the game.) I don't think there's ever been another defenseman who played the game like Orr did and came close to his level. Orr was probably the most intense competitor in the NHL since Rocket Richard. He averaged over 100 penalty minutes per season. He fought. He holds the record for +/- that will never be broken (+124). Even Gretzky couldn't come close to that number. The only thing that stopped Orr was knee injuries. Makar is a completely different kind of player than Orr was. I think he'll become the best defenseman in NHL history because he'll play more games than Orr did and he's avoided injury so far. (Orr had knee problems before he played in the NHL.) But Makar will do it as a different kind of defenseman. One who can break the NHL's systematic defensive system with great moves and anticipation. His hockey IQ is off the charts. Trivia question: Who holds the second highest +/- in NHL history? (Hint: He was a defenseman who's career overlapped Orr's career.)
Bowen Byram was a pretty similar prospect coming up and very influential on the current youth. Now that he's healthy we might see that again. Having Makar, Toews, Byram, Girard, and Manson simply isn't fair
@@deanschulze3129 I cheated and looked it up. Larry Robinson. When Bobby Orr was in decline, Larry Robinson was one of the greatest defencemen along with Brad Park, Denis Potvin, Serge Savard and Guy Lapointe. Not to try to take away from that accomplishment but Larry Robinson played in an era of limited player movement, lower relative wages and no cap. As a result the Montreal Canadiens were stacked and the coach Scotty Bowman was a defensive neurotic wacko case who also happened to be the greatest coach of all-time. So with Bowman's defence first policy along with the best goalie in the league if not the world and prolific scoring up front, and Larry Robinson being an offensive defenceman, it's no wonder he has that distinction.
@@Polytrout They have some long-term team friendly deals on great players like Landeskog, Lehkonen, Girard, Manson, Nichushkin, and Makar and Rantanen to a degree. No one is really overpaid either, other than EJ who's contract expires after this year freeing $6mil, although that $6mil is just getting slapped onto MacKinnon's contract extension. But most of all, the Avs are saving A TON of money at goaltending. But after this season I think you might see Girard traded to keep Byram and extend Toews. Or they could let Compher and a couple of vetaran 4th liners walk and free up the same amount of space, which is probably more ideal
I really enjoyed this video! Awesome clip selection to visually demonstrate your analysis! Makar will go down as one of the great defenceman and maybe hold the title of best defenceman of his generation, but I think to assume he will be the greatest of all time there’s a lot of hockey that will have to be played to take the crown hold currently by Bobby Orr (followed by Ray Bourque, Nicklas Lindstrom and Doug Harvey)
Makar is special but alot of players are. The things that separates him is his skating and edge work. He moves in ways other players can't, especially when he has the puck. It's impossible to predict what he is going to do. If you over commit, you end up posterized like Dach.
@@suburbanindie No, it isn't. Not when the Avs have so many weapons he can feed in MacKinnon, Landeskog, Rantanen, Lehkonen, Nichushkin, Toews, Girard, Manson, etc. If teams try to play zone against Makar, he can simply get close, create room, separate them from shooting lanes in the slot, and pass it over to wide open teammates.
Interesting vidéo and analysis. If I agree that he seems to change the game with his creativity on the blue Line, I don t agree he did change the game on the transition. What you showed from him is pure talent to move the puck as fast as possible from his zone to the offensive zone, but according to me , it s nothing new. Orr dis that. Bourque, Lapointe, Nidermeier, Leetch, Coffey, and many more. Instead of dumping the puck. I would add, that his creativity on the blue line remind me the way Red Army team was playing in the 70. In fact , they were doing many things that happen in NHL after, like the way players like Gretzky, Turgeon, Sakic, Kariya slowed down after the blue Line to create space and pass the puck to a player at full speed.
I agree it’s more top talent than changing the game. A lot of d men in todays game are good at doing this and have been doing it for years but he is next level and he seems to have the finish.
@@MRAIClassroom He is changing the game though, it was even stated in the video that yes there have been others, but not as a package like Makar brings to the table. The other thing is that the whole world on every level is literally teaching or coaching Makar right now. That is game changing. And whether he invented anything or not, he has had the insight to use it all as a package, which is part of how every sport or really any kind of academic endeavor of knowledge, evolves.
I've been following hockey since a boy at 1968. Makar will have a prosperous career, but, like you mentioned, some team will counter it. We saw this in the St Louis series already. The Blues had a fragmented defense and was suiting up players with little NHL experience. Thier forward group was strong but defense was not a match with the Avs. And yet, they almost took them to game 7. If Torpedo Kadri hadn't pulled his stunt, we may very well seen a different outcome. People in Colorado and other places will argue, so be it, but, system wise, the Blues had their number. Colorado will come back to earth this year.
Yup, then all we're left with is the unanswerable question of what might have been. Like, what if Orr didn't have so many knee injuries? What if Konstantinov hadn't been paralyzed in that limo accident?
Iv always been an advocate for using Defensive Forwards in a Defenseman Role at times. Take a Shutdown Penalty Kill Wing and move him back...haven't seen it used much in real life, but works great in video games and it did work in lower level hockey growing up. We begged our coach to do it for quite awhile and our winning percentage went up drastically when he caved and tried it out.
Makar is great, but the guys you mentioned - Orr and Coffey - used their skating and transition skills long before Makar!! Also I guess being west coaster you don't get to see much of Chris Letang huh?
Great video breakdown. I think that ultra high level skill like Makar and McDavid/MacKinnon, they'll always be able to disrupt the systematic play of the defence, no matter how much they try to adapt.
Last night, a power play goal for his 200th point. In his 195 game. Fastest defenseman to 200 ever. Beat Sergei Zubov who is the next fastest to 200 who did it in 207 games. ALWAYS fun to watch Cale play! #GoAvsGo
great commentary. i played hockey for a long time growing up and this video made me wish i had a decent coach at least once, someone who could break down parts of a game like this and explain it in detail instead of just giving generic, vague advice. i think this would have had a drastic effect on how i played and my enjoyment of the game.
I recall Paul Coffee and Mark Howe meeting in the Stanley Cup finals in the 80's two of the all time rushing defense men, they were exciting to watch, already Makar is included among the great D's.
Mark Howe is my favorite all time player. He was so great in the 80's. Story of Hartford trading guys away they never should. Francis, Howe, Ulf, Pronger, etcetera
I said Makar is literally the next Bobby Orr after his first few NHL games in the playoffs, of 18/19. And got laughed at. But people don’t understand why Bobby Orr was so revolutionary, it was purely his skating ability that led every assist, or goal of his. But one thing, you using that thumbnail ‘this is going to change the game forever’ with steep edge use….that’s been done for years man. The guys who are natural skaters always have that edge work, the thing is, a lot of those amazing skaters never make it to the NHL because they lack other abilities and/or aren’t committed to playing hockey as a career. Go to any small town rink in Canada and you will find a few guys that are absolutely unreal skaters.
If he can stay healthy, he will be one of the Top 5 defensemen to ever play the game. He is right between Bobby Orr and Nicklas Lidstrom in my mind. Orr, Maker, Lidstrom, Coffey, and Bourque.
This is the first video of yours that I've seen and the depth of content here is great and well put together. Just some tweaks on the white balance of some of the game clips and you'd have absolutely 0 critiques at all from me. Keep kicking ass with the videos. I hope to see more of you as the season progresses.
Ever since Burakovsky was traded from the Caps to the Avs, I've been watching a lot of their games. Makar is super fun to watch and brings the same speed to the defense that burky brings to the offense
Completely agree that Maker is changing his position and the game. As a Sabres fan, I was mildly bummed to not hear Dahlin's name mentioned, as he is doing his own version of this in Buffalo. He's perfected some of the most beautiful, breakaway-generating passes in hockey: the "home run pass" - the flip over the heads of the D-men, the "through-ball pass" - chipping the puck between the D-men to open space, and (my favorite) the "icing pass" - firing the puck the length of the ice, off the corner/end boards to pop out for a streaking forward who negates the icing and gets a breakaway in the bargain. I know Buffalo hasn't exactly been known for exciting hockey in a long time, but keep an eye out, because Tuch, Tage, Skinner, Cozens, and Dahlin are capable of putting on a show, and I think we're gonna see the same from Krebs, Quinn, Peterka, and Power next year. (Not to mention a prospect pool that's the envy of just about every GM in the league.) And if Devon Levi lives up to the hype, the rest of the league should look out...
There are skaters with tremendous abilities on their edges... There are skaters who have great explosive acceleration... There are skaters who read the pressure/play incredibly well... He combines all of that at a level we haven't really seen before. A prime Crosby was close, but didn't have quite the explosive jump as Makar, he escaped with more of a mix of strength/quickness.
Prime Crosby had some of the most ridiculous edge work I've ever seen, still to this day it seems like his center of gravity is at his knees. Makar is great, but doesn't surpass Crosby.
@@1shotlegend absolutely, not saying Makar as better. I'm a Pens fan. Crosby's edges are A++, but he is all power and uses them in traffic/battles. Makar utilizes them more explosively and as open ice deception.
The player you’re describing is fourth forward. You don’t talk anything about him without the puck, but since he’s playing in NHL, I assume he’s pretty damn good at that too. Evolution of the game is bringing the Fs and Ds closer together in terms of skills. The game is so fast, that any player must be able to play any position as needed. In junior hockey the positions are decided too early, and position relevant skills are prioritised. In the NHL, the positions mean very little. There’s lines with only defensive players, and lines with only offensive players and everything between.
I used to do this a lot but in the early 2000s the coaches would get angry because Defence weren’t supposed to bring the puck up but I scored a lot and set up opportunities for everyone on the ice to score
To be honest i can't believe it took this long for the league to break out of the old school ways of playing defense and find and draft men that put this kind of offensive pressure from the D-Line. Cale is the perfect example of that like you said, the league is going to change rapidly since they finaly have seen what a great offensive D man can do. Throw all the old ways of playing defense out because you better believe that there is going to be a rush of d-man like Cale coming into the league. This is going to be a goalies worst nightmare. Defensive players that can lead the rush and fly by the other teams d-men and stick handle past the forwards and get a great shot on goal.
Newsflash Steve !! Defencemen have been rushing the puck up the ice for the last 60 years. You must be a stats geek or play fantasy Hockey. Your Hockey knowledge fits nicely in a thimble. Get a Clue.
Coming from a wings fan who was born in 93 who’s watched Lidstrom most of his career. Let me just say makar is easily the best defenseman I’ve seen since watching Lidstrom. I’d say he’s got more skill in terms of hands and skating. In my eyes he’s like if Sergei fedorov played defense which he did sometimes back in the day. Makar plays like a forward but is very solid defensively. It’s very fckn fun to watch. The sky is the limit for him. I hope to see Seider give him a run for his money every year for Norris in the future 😈 I remember going into the 2017 draft I wanted Makar so fckn bad. He was my #1 pick. I knew the wings were too low to get him.
Makar’s footwork is exemplary. His stick-work is sublime. His acceleration is hard to believe. Best of all, his awareness of player positions is top notch.
@@elimhazard9938 that's quite a prediction
@@elimhazard9938I suppose time will tell but while we're here... how many trophies does that Dallas player have again?
@@elimhazard9938u just wanna be different
The scary thing is Makar has only just begun his NHL career. I haven't seen a defensemen this complete in the league since Lidstrom.
Exactly. He’s got so much time to grow & dominate
One big hit ends his career forever.
@@Dirtytanker good luck with it
@@Dirtytanker just like every athlete in the history of sports??
@@Dirtytanker if someone can catch him
i’m not even that much of a hockey guy and i can still tell that this kid is insane… happy late birthday to him
Great video. Old-timers like myself who grew up in the Bobby Orr era agree that Makar has the skills to become a totally dominant player like Bobby was in his day. I don't think he or anyone else will ever beat Orr's unbelievable records, but he is showing the kind of outstanding talent that put him right up there with the most legendary NHL defensemen. A Norris, a Conn Smythe and a Stanley at the age of only 23 is wonderful to see. This is great for the game and I hope he continues to become even more successful.
I agree with you Joe. Cale's instincts and movement completely remind me of Bobby Orr. It's good to watch transition game. Cale is a superior offensive-defenseman and his team supports him by covering for him.
Would love to see someone play Orr-like in the modern systematic era. We need players to break the mold & bring back the creativity of yesteryears that's kinda been lacking.
You're right that nobody will be better than guys like Orr and Gretzky in raw numbers, but a lot of that is tied to the fact that it's a *lot* more difficult to score a goal in 2022 than it was in their days. Although Gretzky was *so* much better than everyone that I'd never even hint that someone will ever be as dominant as he was.
It's about how good you are relative to your peers and the league, and Makar is well above them and the video is right, I don't think we've seen someone this far ahead of the league at D since Lidstrom. And Lidstrom wasn't this good at 23.
@@cwolf208 I think what makes players like Makar & McDavid exciting to watch is they're so dynamic, like Orr was. Gretzky & Lidstrom were great, but they made it look so easy, so damn easy.
If Makar stays healthy, he will easily go past Orr in goals, assists, total points and GP.
He's only playing his 4th full NHL season, and already has SC, Norris, Conn Smythe and obviously Calder.
Probably not going to break EVERY single Orr record, but most of them and the ones that matter.
Makar has made more points in his first 3 seasons than Orr did in his first 3 seasons. Orr scored 120p in his 4th season, and this is Makar's 4th season so remains to be seen how Makar does.
PS. Not trying to take anything away from Orr's achievements, Makar is just a different kind of a beast and one of a kind.
It’s good to be an Avs fan right now and getting to watch this generational talent play night in and night out. Ready to start that cup defense!
That’s for sure. Avs fans are super lucky
@@hockeypsychology after a decade of misery lol
@@day1avsfan907 Oh poor Avs fans, only a decade? Try being a Minnesota fan, we're so used to mediocrity we just expect to make the playoffs every year, just to lose in the first round. Ya'll have 3 Cups.
@@JohnB-mo4kq lol true, coulda been worse😂
@@JohnB-mo4kq Cheers from a Canucks fan!
Avs fan here. Edmonton and Colorado are watching 2 of the best players to play the game in a long time! What a treat it is to watch Connor and Cale play all the time for these fan bases!
Truly a great time to be a fan
You mean Leon and Cale :D
Mckinnon says hello
I found this video very informative. Also I am homeless myself, living in Oregon. (we don't have an NHL team). Glad to know that there are hockey organizations out there that help us that are struggling. Thank you to all involved.
Makar is the McDavid of d men and will dominate for years. Your analysis is spot on. His edge work and acceleration is second to none and put his hockey sense on top of all that and you arguably have the best player in the league.
👍👍
@@hockeypsychology I'm pretty shocked Miro Heskinen isn't being mentioned as his game is pretty similar to that of Makar.
He may not be quite as solid with the edges but he's every bit as good in the transition, initiating the rush, and being a part of a solid chance or three as the result of the former. He finds his gap through positioning and having a smooth, speedy stride.
Except Makar actually plays elite defense
@@JSauer21 Heiskanen is very solid defensively
@@jameson1239 I was referring to the original comment about McDavid. But Heiskanen is solid I guess, but obviously worse than Makar
I think the most important part is the coaching in Colorado. They gave him the green light to utilize all that skill. Many others like Karlsson in Ottawa had to break through their coaches limitations
@@BasedAurelius EXACTLY! Bednar is the best NHL coach at utilizing each player's strengths and minimizing their mistakes. He rarely ever shouts at players because he truly communicates with his guys, something most coaches don't do.
YUP and coaches developing those skills, Seider in Detroit was mostly taught stay at home D in youth hockey, then Detroit coaches encouraged him to jump in and push the play and his skills.
@@SuperVideohackit's a good thing because I think stay at home D is dead.
Very good analysis. You just got yourself a new subscriber.
Makar’s inside and outside edge work is really impressive. And the flexibility he has in his hips to do what he does is incredible.
Then you add in his Hockey I.Q, his vision, his ability to adjust (hand placement on his stick and reaction to the players applying pressure), and his confidence and you have yourself a generational player. A treat to watch
Thanks for watching & subscribing!
I’m 67 years old:) I’m a retired defence man, I’m happy to hear that there’s more focus on defensive players!:)👍😎
hockey is so much transition - when you have a guy who can turn the puck the other way that fast it creates so many odd man rushes / offensive chances - what they are overlooking is - there are not that many guys with those tools
as a hockey fan and an avs fan, i love your videos especially this and the makar highlight one
Thanks for watching!
One other thing he does which is on an elite level is when he's on the PP, teams put a forward out high to try and effectively cut the O Zone in half, pushing the puck to one side or the other. Not sure what team Colorado was playing last year in the playoffs, but he dropped the high forward's jock three times in a row using his Mohawk (heel-to-heel) edge work and stick handling. Even the commentator had to point out that he did it twice to the same forward and then again on the second team PK forward.
He's just on another level all together and only getting better. He's very much like McDavid, a true generational player you won't see again for a long time. Enjoy it while you can, we're all witnessing history right now!
I'm an Avs fan, and I don't even remember which game or player or team you're talking about because Makar has done that so many times lol. We played the following teams in this past season:
Round 1 - Nashville (swept)
Round 2 - St Louis (6 games)
Round 3 - Edmonton (swept)
Round 4 - Tampa Bay (6 games)
Down here in South Florida saying...
"That'd be nice"
Enjoyed the video
Dunno why this popped up amongst all my baseball content. But the video is great and engaging. I don't know anything about hockey but I might watch a game or two now
this was a fantastic video! You could tell Makar was going to be special right from that first playoff series he jumped into. generational talent.
World Junior tourney.. he was already the best D-man in the league without having played in it yet imo
Ik Dahlin is
@@brendanroe8604 Makar isn't the best anymore, he was last year.
from a technical standpoint Makar is bringing Crosby like edge work to the blue line, and mixing that with all the rush abilities that karlsons used to have with some great stick work defensively
I am fortunate in that I saw Bobby Orr play in his prime. Now I get see Cale Makar and he is as much a joy to watch as Orr. I find myself shaking my head at Makar's super elite skill just as I marveled at Orr's.
#4 was the best I have ever seen. Injuries cut short a brilliant career much as it did the great Gayle Sayers in the NFL
He has great horizontal movement. He jukes kind of like how Barry Sanders used to in football.
Quinn Hughes is a horizontal movement specialist. Watch how he can cover the entire blue line on the PP.
@@danceswithcritters lol.
No athlete in any sport can duplicate Barry Sanders’ movements.
@@gooddognigel9992 Makar can. Datsyuk was even better than Sanders.
I've been doing the same thing.... in a division 5 beer league team... my transitions blew everyone away.... when I got the chance... and that's on top of shutting down offenses, killing power plays, and making laser focused tape-to-tape passes only seen in Junior A and higher levels of elite hockey. I'm an offensive defenseman... until about the third period when I run out of gas. Then, I switch to defensive defenseman.
Funny I can remember back in high school we had one stand out defense man great puck handling , smooth moves and he moved it up fast as well, I’m sure the coach wanted him to pass and stay back, but he would move it up anyway, he went on to play some great hockey in denver😊
I just hope he stays healthy. Erik Karlsson was about to absolutely blow the league apart from the D position like Makar is doing but that injury really stopped him.
Not anymore. He 9s blowing Makar out of the water this year.
Karlson was never this good. Makar is 100 times better then him defensively
So much fun to watch this kid excel at UMASS. Coach Carvel is doing so much right with this team to produce players of this caliber season after season. Hockey east baby!
Good job man I never comment on videos but the structure and brilliance of this video I had to like and comment Good job.
Love hearing that. Thanks for watching & enjoying!
The great ones remain great regardless of how other teams try to counter them.
Keep an eye on Bowen Bryam this year too.
Love Bo, I'm hoping he stays healthy he has amazing skating skills.
4:35 - This is the primary reason Avalanche won the cup. Having the benefit of a "new" player revolutionizing the game was a difference maker in almost every game. Anyone who watched enough games last season in particular would see that not only is Makar jumping up in the play but so is Toews and Byram. In this instance, a forward supports on the blue line and/or defensively. Colorado doesn't make 1 player play defense but during a rush the D quarterbacks the play with 3 wingers attacking then 1 forward backs off for D support or a point shot (Mack took a lot of shots from the blue line with this play).
I think you are correct though, there will be a team that combats this to mitigate the power of this play
While McDavid is significant, we've always seen fast players in the league, Kariya, St.Louis, Gaborik etc. He is incredibly talented and we haven't seen someone as good as him in a long time, but I don't think McDavid is revolutionizing his position. Makar however, is changing the way a defense is played and utilized. Niedermayer and Coffee probably are the closest comparables I've seen to Makar, but Makar is on another level.
Makar's CF average is 61 so far and topped out over 65 at 22 yo. I know they're different positions but he kind of looks like what you'd get if Datsyuk was playing the blue line.
Wow that's interesting man
@@frankjoseph7456 Yeah. I know points are the easiest stats to understand but when you really think about it, if there's a 3 on 1 rush and you only have one guy back who would you want it to be regardless of position? I would argue that Lidstrom and Datsyuk are top 5 of the 21st century and Makar is obviously in that group as well.
LOL
@@kennethrussell1320
Yes, The Magic man, Lidstrom, Hossa, Bergeron and Makar.
You cant speculate on "best ever" at this point in his young career, but if you look at the other players you compare him to, this fellow is in a category of his own. If he can stay healthy, he's only going to get bigger & better/ more experienced, faster etc.
Actually you can speculate. It's conjecture without firm evidence (yet)
not best ever we won't know until he gets there, but he's the best defense in the league curently.
Watching this makes me love hockey even more... I want to be on the ice right now!!!
I want to play hockey again so bad. God bless you all. Go Avs.
Makar is so god damn good and I don't think he receives enough credit or attention. Everyone's always drooling over McDavid, but Makar dunked all over him in their playoff series. Hope he stays healthy and Avalanche has another good season this year.
Some of that has to do with the impact a defenseman can have versus a forward. Defense more naturally can both prevent goals and contribute to scoring goals, but it takes a special player to do that. It's just rare to see someone able to do that like Makar does, and it's part of why people who saw Bobby Orr play in the 70s say how good he was.
When you are able to evade checks one on one, any system breaks down. That’s not a problem you fix.
Defenders are stuck between giving him time and space or being exposed when he confuses them with deceptive moves and speed.
Opponents will have to become students of his arsenal of manoeuvres and become more adept skaters to stay with him or they will have no success with Makar.
I disagree. The League has changed they way the game is played. They want hitting and fighting out of the league. Every player in the league could line him up and roll h8s eye into the back of his brain.
Difference now is young player know their protected so they take chances and look better that they are.
The NHL is nothing but a glorified pickup league now. Bring back hitting ANZ guys like maker would never make it.
@@Dirtytanker hahahaha wow. Back in my day... Use your brain pal. He's quite adept at avoiding hits. You want to know why hitting is down? Analytics, I don't mean concussion effects analytics, I mean possession and winning hockey games analytics. Hockey was a bit reluctant to change until reliable analytics and experience told hockey to change. All about the W. It's ok you know, if hockey gets better and you have less awesome hits to quench your thirst for others to entertain you with their pain.
They couldn't hit Gretzky or Orr either. And you cost your team more than helping them, by going for the big hit, ask anyone in hockey, absolutely anyone. They play the numbers, and the numbers are quite clear. If there is a 70% chance it is the wrong decision, you aren't going to do it as often. If teams are awoken by dick plays, more than intimidated in today's world, you aren't going to get them going for nothing. Especially the Avs, you let them sleep.
To the OP, seems teams are more successful giving him space back there, he beats guys too consistently compared to creating goals through traffic. He's gonna beat them if they back off him, but Tampa limited him better by backing off, and most days that's the lesser of evils. So far no success with Makar, just block the lanes as best you can and defend the interior. Or give up a grade A more often.
@@Dirtytanker So basically, you don't know anything about hockey. There's still hitting...and Makar is usually the one dishing out hits too. But the problem is, the guys who can hit him hard, can't catch him. I've watched him since he started, and he has evaded hits WITH the puck that most guys can't avoid WITHOUT it. You can't hit what you can't catch. Honestly, I would say that in a hard hitting league, Cale would only be MORE dominant.
@@Dirtytanker found the guy who can't skate worth a damn and the only thing he brings to the table is running into people
What Makar does with his speed and edge work, Fox does with vision, stickhandling, and an ability to manipulate pace of play. Fox uses stretch passes as breakouts to generate those odd man rushes highlighted in this video. Then, Igor is able to leave his crease to handle the puck and launch passes from one end to the other.
Watching the Avs team speed to generate scoring opportunities is unbelievable. I would say, it’s completely different but the Rangers have some elite playmakers who push the pace with their passing and vision to mimic the Avs speed.
Played his college years at UMass, took em all the way. Miss him in Amherst!
We have seen it before. His name was Bobby Orr. I was lucky enough to watch him. Makar looks familiar.
There's only one ORR.
you have to be kidding - Makar is a great player - but he is not close to Orr no where near - he made pro's look like little kids chasing him around - again no knock at all on Makar but in my lifetime I have seen probably 80 next Bobby Orr's there has never been one close - Gretzky I guess though he was a center they used to say that about him when he was a teen
His micro footwork and nimble stick work make him a very formidable defence man, so refreshing to see such skills in the game today. The standard of NHL play is so high now and faster paced too. I love the game.
Interesting he should mention EK in that clip. EK is outplaying Makar right now and is tied in PTS with Avs top scorer.
As someone that isn't a hockey fan I have no idea what most of this means but it is impressive analysis.
i remember them saying the same thing about Bobby Orr in the 60s...he was the first defensemen who would join the rush up ice, instead of staying back....
I just hope Makar stays healthy for years and years so we can enjoy the great plays he makes for many years
and keep knees happy and healthy ! ! !
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As you point out, Maker exploits the defensive weaknesses of the wingers, until they defend better, CM will give the Avs an advantage
Yes for now. It’ll be interesting to see how teams adjust this year…if they even canz
@@hockeypsychology I don't think they can. It may take several years for teams to adjust.
Absolutely loved watching that dude shred back in his UMass days. I knew he was destined for bigger things.
As a very new viewer to ice hokey I appreciate your video pointing out the positiioning.
Thanks for watching!
I'm from Chicago, but I went to college in Connecticut. I was a freshman in 1971-72. I remember the Bruins had a pretty good defenseman that year. He could carry the puck end to end in a way I'd never seen before. I wish I could remember his name.🤔
Makar is one of my favorite players. Just saw the AVs beat the Golden Knights in Vegas. My favorite part of Makar's game is how he dances on the blue line.
Excellent video! You haven't seen Josi play like that because he was in Swiss LNA prior to NHL. He was always a beast
As a defenseman Makar and Erik Johnson are some of my greatest idols, I’ve been replicating their game + adding in my own strengths to it and it works amazingly. I’ve always been proud of my footwork and then when i started trying to replicate Makar it just made it better
Creative blue line play like turning an obvious off-side play into an on-side play!
I learned more about hockey watching this video for 4 minutes 55 seconds than I have in my entire 44 year hockey watching lifetime...
What did you learn here that you didn't by watching hockey games? Because I find your comment hard to believe
@@JS-kb4bk I find it quite unusual, unless "Radio Active" is the President of the "Hockey Psychology" Fan Club.
@@JS-kb4bk Well, I've never played hockey before, so while I understand the basics of it this video made me experience an 'Aha' moment where I started to understand what a team is trying do(on a deeper level) and how a player(and an opposing team) can exploit that(on a deeper level).It's kinda like 1998 and I bought season tickets to the Long Beach Ice Dogs(a long defunct team from the IHL(a long defunct hockey league)) and I made a point to buy my tickets on the second tier and in the corner. Watching hockey at that level with that sight line gave me an 'Aha' experience where I saw shooting and passing lanes open up and I then understood the game 'that much better'. But, you weren't there with me, so you probably wouldn't understand what I am saying.(on a side note: maybe my original comment was just me being facetious...)
@@radioactive9861 I didn't really expect a response, I assumed you were just trolling or a paid subscriber. I was just surprised how someone could watch hockey for 44 years and not see how systematic it is when you get a birds eye view from your TV. Especially for playoff games, where coach's are making major changes every period
@@JS-kb4bk In all fairness to you, I haven't been 'religiously' watching hockey for 44 years. I have been a 'casual fan'... which is my fault for misrepresenting myself, and my experience. I guess what I should have said was. 'Wow, I learned something from this video.' mea culpa
He's going to be one of the best and trust me I am a avalanche band from the word go I live in Colorado when they moved to Colorado the nordics thank you thank you for giving us a great hockey team Canada but that kid is phenomenal yeah he'll win a few more Stanley cups before he's done
He already is lol
3:58 -> this is a Work of Art
Yeah, put a forward on the blue line. What a game changing concept.
Truly amazing how technical and fast this game is, even being aware of this its often difficult to decifer it simply moves SO fast.
The first play reminded me of Crosby. I think Makar is now quite skilled, and as his career progresses he is very likely to add even more brain plays to his game, executing crafty moves that will change his game and keep a bit ahead of the players who are trying to defend him. I really look forward to seeing it happen.
Such a great video. Will be showing this to my d man. Great stuff!
Great video.
The reason that I'm not sure that Cale Makar will change the way the game is played is because to do what he does, you need the natural talent. I'm not sure that you can develop a Cale Makar type layer at that high level. The last time I saw a defenceman who could be match Cale Maker's skills and skating, there were 18 teams in the NHL, and that guy used a wooden stick and his skate blade suports were all metal and Wayne Gretzky was too young to drive a car.
Hockey fans today are very fortunate to see players like Makar and McKinnon ON THE SAME TEAM!
Until sometime this century I didn't think I'd ever see a hockey player defenceman or forward worthy of comparison with Bobby Orr. Today, there is a forward and a defenceman worthy of such.
Though it's debatable as to whether Makar is as great a Orr, I'm pretty sure that it's safe to say that McKinnon is better than Espo.
You're right about Orr and Makar not really changing the game. There is just no one else who can do what they do. (It was the Russians, especially Anatoly Tarasov, who really changed the game.)
I don't think there's ever been another defenseman who played the game like Orr did and came close to his level. Orr was probably the most intense competitor in the NHL since Rocket Richard. He averaged over 100 penalty minutes per season. He fought. He holds the record for +/- that will never be broken (+124). Even Gretzky couldn't come close to that number. The only thing that stopped Orr was knee injuries.
Makar is a completely different kind of player than Orr was. I think he'll become the best defenseman in NHL history because he'll play more games than Orr did and he's avoided injury so far. (Orr had knee problems before he played in the NHL.) But Makar will do it as a different kind of defenseman. One who can break the NHL's systematic defensive system with great moves and anticipation. His hockey IQ is off the charts.
Trivia question: Who holds the second highest +/- in NHL history? (Hint: He was a defenseman who's career overlapped Orr's career.)
Bowen Byram was a pretty similar prospect coming up and very influential on the current youth. Now that he's healthy we might see that again. Having Makar, Toews, Byram, Girard, and Manson simply isn't fair
@@JSauer21 On one hand I agree with you but on the other hand, I wonder how one club can with all that talent can stay under the cap.
@@deanschulze3129 I cheated and looked it up. Larry Robinson. When Bobby Orr was in decline, Larry Robinson was one of the greatest defencemen along with Brad Park, Denis Potvin, Serge Savard and Guy Lapointe. Not to try to take away from that accomplishment but Larry Robinson played in an era of limited player movement, lower relative wages and no cap. As a result the Montreal Canadiens were stacked and the coach Scotty Bowman was a defensive neurotic wacko case who also happened to be the greatest coach of all-time. So with Bowman's defence first policy along with the best goalie in the league if not the world and prolific scoring up front, and Larry Robinson being an offensive defenceman, it's no wonder he has that distinction.
@@Polytrout They have some long-term team friendly deals on great players like Landeskog, Lehkonen, Girard, Manson, Nichushkin, and Makar and Rantanen to a degree. No one is really overpaid either, other than EJ who's contract expires after this year freeing $6mil, although that $6mil is just getting slapped onto MacKinnon's contract extension. But most of all, the Avs are saving A TON of money at goaltending. But after this season I think you might see Girard traded to keep Byram and extend Toews. Or they could let Compher and a couple of vetaran 4th liners walk and free up the same amount of space, which is probably more ideal
The Avs were amazing to watch this last season... Kids impressive for sure!
I really enjoyed this video! Awesome clip selection to visually demonstrate your analysis! Makar will go down as one of the great defenceman and maybe hold the title of best defenceman of his generation, but I think to assume he will be the greatest of all time there’s a lot of hockey that will have to be played to take the crown hold currently by Bobby Orr (followed by Ray Bourque, Nicklas Lindstrom and Doug Harvey)
Yes he will for years to come, last nights juke was classic and left the player on his butt! #GOAVS!
Nice! Love that you're helping combat homelessness.
I do believe that Makar has the potential to easily put up 1000 pts in the nhl. The man is insane.
900 easily
Nicely done
👍👍👍👍👍 5 thumbs up
Let’s go AVS
Thank you!
Makar is special but alot of players are. The things that separates him is his skating and edge work. He moves in ways other players can't, especially when he has the puck. It's impossible to predict what he is going to do. If you over commit, you end up posterized like Dach.
Just playing zone defense and worrying about protecting the net I think will be the answer when he's on the ice.
@@suburbanindie No, it isn't. Not when the Avs have so many weapons he can feed in MacKinnon, Landeskog, Rantanen, Lehkonen, Nichushkin, Toews, Girard, Manson, etc. If teams try to play zone against Makar, he can simply get close, create room, separate them from shooting lanes in the slot, and pass it over to wide open teammates.
You nailed every aspect man!
Interesting vidéo and analysis.
If I agree that he seems to change the game with his creativity on the blue Line, I don t agree he did change the game on the transition. What you showed from him is pure talent to move the puck as fast as possible from his zone to the offensive zone, but according to me , it s nothing new. Orr dis that. Bourque, Lapointe, Nidermeier, Leetch, Coffey, and many more. Instead of dumping the puck.
I would add, that his creativity on the blue line remind me the way Red Army team was playing in the 70. In fact , they were doing many things that happen in NHL after, like the way players like Gretzky, Turgeon, Sakic, Kariya slowed down after the blue Line to create space and pass the puck to a player at full speed.
I agree it’s more top talent than changing the game. A lot of d men in todays game are good at doing this and have been doing it for years but he is next level and he seems to have the finish.
@@MRAIClassroom He is changing the game though, it was even stated in the video that yes there have been others, but not as a package like Makar brings to the table. The other thing is that the whole world on every level is literally teaching or coaching Makar right now. That is game changing. And whether he invented anything or not, he has had the insight to use it all as a package, which is part of how every sport or really any kind of academic endeavor of knowledge, evolves.
The 1-Handed play out of the corner was gnarly. That's the kind of stuff that doesn't get the shine it deserves.
Really well done video. Very informative.
This year he will be defenseman of the year 💯
He may just be
He was last year already
I've been following hockey since a boy at 1968. Makar will have a prosperous career, but, like you mentioned, some team will counter it. We saw this in the St Louis series already. The Blues had a fragmented defense and was suiting up players with little NHL experience. Thier forward group was strong but defense was not a match with the Avs. And yet, they almost took them to game 7. If Torpedo Kadri hadn't pulled his stunt, we may very well seen a different outcome. People in Colorado and other places will argue, so be it, but, system wise, the Blues had their number. Colorado will come back to earth this year.
I see these guys mentioned in this video as almost second center men honestly if I could go back and play d and not center I was a d1 force either way
I hope he will stay healthy, an injury effecting his skating would be devastating.
Those hesitation-plays and head fakes are gorgeous
Yup, then all we're left with is the unanswerable question of what might have been. Like, what if Orr didn't have so many knee injuries? What if Konstantinov hadn't been paralyzed in that limo accident?
@@edenisburning yes, I want there to be no unanswered questions when Makar is done.
Great video. Thanks for making us aware of Cale Makar and the effect he and his kind will have on the game of hockey. Very good point.
Iv always been an advocate for using Defensive Forwards in a Defenseman Role at times. Take a Shutdown Penalty Kill Wing and move him back...haven't seen it used much in real life, but works great in video games and it did work in lower level hockey growing up. We begged our coach to do it for quite awhile and our winning percentage went up drastically when he caved and tried it out.
Just an amazing player. I’ve never been so excited to watch a defenseman.
Watch Dahlin
Makar is great, but the guys you mentioned - Orr and Coffey - used their skating and transition skills long before Makar!! Also I guess being west coaster you don't get to see much of Chris Letang huh?
Great vid, I remember the first time I watched Makar for Canada world Juniors, it was clear he would be at this level.. mmmmmmmmmAKAR
Great video breakdown. I think that ultra high level skill like Makar and McDavid/MacKinnon, they'll always be able to disrupt the systematic play of the defence, no matter how much they try to adapt.
Well done, great footage and commentary
Can’t wait to watch him take the ice tomorrow at 8:30pm central!
I Coached against Makar.
Perfect development and he followed his age group, from U16AAA ,U18AAA to AJHL.
Last night, a power play goal for his 200th point. In his 195 game. Fastest defenseman to 200 ever. Beat Sergei Zubov who is the next fastest to 200 who did it in 207 games. ALWAYS fun to watch Cale play! #GoAvsGo
great commentary.
i played hockey for a long time growing up and this video made me wish i had a decent coach at least once, someone who could break down parts of a game like this and explain it in detail instead of just giving generic, vague advice. i think this would have had a drastic effect on how i played and my enjoyment of the game.
wild to see this kid i went to junior high school with being such a revolutionary and skillful player lmao
That’s pretty wild
Great video. Time will tell how great Makar can be. He’s already as good as the game changers you mentioned. Now we need to watch longevity.
I recall Paul Coffee and Mark Howe meeting in the Stanley Cup finals in the 80's two of the all time rushing defense men, they were exciting to watch, already Makar is included among the great D's.
Mark Howe is my favorite all time player. He was so great in the 80's. Story of Hartford trading guys away they never should. Francis, Howe, Ulf, Pronger, etcetera
I said Makar is literally the next Bobby Orr after his first few NHL games in the playoffs, of 18/19. And got laughed at. But people don’t understand why Bobby Orr was so revolutionary, it was purely his skating ability that led every assist, or goal of his.
But one thing, you using that thumbnail ‘this is going to change the game forever’ with steep edge use….that’s been done for years man. The guys who are natural skaters always have that edge work, the thing is, a lot of those amazing skaters never make it to the NHL because they lack other abilities and/or aren’t committed to playing hockey as a career. Go to any small town rink in Canada and you will find a few guys that are absolutely unreal skaters.
Kids skating ability is mind blowing as a lifelong D man I can appreciate this kids work ethic
If he can stay healthy, he will be one of the Top 5 defensemen to ever play the game.
He is right between Bobby Orr and Nicklas Lidstrom in my mind.
Orr, Maker, Lidstrom, Coffey, and Bourque.
Not yet
This is the first video of yours that I've seen and the depth of content here is great and well put together. Just some tweaks on the white balance of some of the game clips and you'd have absolutely 0 critiques at all from me. Keep kicking ass with the videos. I hope to see more of you as the season progresses.
Ever since Burakovsky was traded from the Caps to the Avs, I've been watching a lot of their games. Makar is super fun to watch and brings the same speed to the defense that burky brings to the offense
This video deserves a sub.
Completely agree that Maker is changing his position and the game. As a Sabres fan, I was mildly bummed to not hear Dahlin's name mentioned, as he is doing his own version of this in Buffalo. He's perfected some of the most beautiful, breakaway-generating passes in hockey: the "home run pass" - the flip over the heads of the D-men, the "through-ball pass" - chipping the puck between the D-men to open space, and (my favorite) the "icing pass" - firing the puck the length of the ice, off the corner/end boards to pop out for a streaking forward who negates the icing and gets a breakaway in the bargain.
I know Buffalo hasn't exactly been known for exciting hockey in a long time, but keep an eye out, because Tuch, Tage, Skinner, Cozens, and Dahlin are capable of putting on a show, and I think we're gonna see the same from Krebs, Quinn, Peterka, and Power next year. (Not to mention a prospect pool that's the envy of just about every GM in the league.) And if Devon Levi lives up to the hype, the rest of the league should look out...
There are skaters with tremendous abilities on their edges... There are skaters who have great explosive acceleration... There are skaters who read the pressure/play incredibly well... He combines all of that at a level we haven't really seen before. A prime Crosby was close, but didn't have quite the explosive jump as Makar, he escaped with more of a mix of strength/quickness.
Prime Crosby had some of the most ridiculous edge work I've ever seen, still to this day it seems like his center of gravity is at his knees. Makar is great, but doesn't surpass Crosby.
@@1shotlegend absolutely, not saying Makar as better. I'm a Pens fan. Crosby's edges are A++, but he is all power and uses them in traffic/battles. Makar utilizes them more explosively and as open ice deception.
That pivot takes a lot of energy and that breakout move as well
The player you’re describing is fourth forward. You don’t talk anything about him without the puck, but since he’s playing in NHL, I assume he’s pretty damn good at that too. Evolution of the game is bringing the Fs and Ds closer together in terms of skills. The game is so fast, that any player must be able to play any position as needed. In junior hockey the positions are decided too early, and position relevant skills are prioritised. In the NHL, the positions mean very little. There’s lines with only defensive players, and lines with only offensive players and everything between.
Great clip on D transition,thank you
Good job! Great channel man. :)
I used to do this a lot but in the early 2000s the coaches would get angry because Defence weren’t supposed to bring the puck up but I scored a lot and set up opportunities for everyone on the ice to score
We love to see it. Good to see your channel growing! 25k views in 2 days is pretty good
To be honest i can't believe it took this long for the league to break out of the old school ways of playing defense and find and draft men that put this kind of offensive pressure from the D-Line. Cale is the perfect example of that like you said, the league is going to change rapidly since they finaly have seen what a great offensive D man can do. Throw all the old ways of playing defense out because you better believe that there is going to be a rush of d-man like Cale coming into the league. This is going to be a goalies worst nightmare. Defensive players that can lead the rush and fly by the other teams d-men and stick handle past the forwards and get a great shot on goal.
Newsflash Steve !! Defencemen have been rushing the puck up the ice for the last 60 years. You must be a stats geek or play fantasy Hockey. Your Hockey knowledge fits nicely in a thimble. Get a Clue.
Coming from a wings fan who was born in 93 who’s watched Lidstrom most of his career. Let me just say makar is easily the best defenseman I’ve seen since watching Lidstrom. I’d say he’s got more skill in terms of hands and skating. In my eyes he’s like if Sergei fedorov played defense which he did sometimes back in the day. Makar plays like a forward but is very solid defensively. It’s very fckn fun to watch. The sky is the limit for him. I hope to see Seider give him a run for his money every year for Norris in the future 😈 I remember going into the 2017 draft I wanted Makar so fckn bad. He was my #1 pick. I knew the wings were too low to get him.
You guys have Simon Edvinsson, gonna be great!