CBS Sports: 2025 NHL awards tracker: Avalanche’s Cale Makar wins Norris Trophy as league’s top defenseman….
Cale Makar Captures Norris Trophy
Award: James Norris Memorial Trophy – awarded to the league’s best defenseman.
Winner: Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche)
Voting: Makar secured 176 of 191 first-place votes, totaling 1,861 points .
Season Highlights:
Led all defensemen with 30 goals, 62 assists, and 92 points – marking back-to-back 90-point seasons .
Became the first defenseman since Mike Green (2008–09) to score 30 goals .
Joined elite company by winning multiple Norris Trophies before age 27—standing among legends like Orr, Potvin, Coffey, Langway, and Erik Karlsson .
Acceptance: In a heartfelt moment, Makar learned of the award while on a golf outing in Calgary, surrounded by family and friends .
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Other Major NHL Awards – 2024–25 Season
CBS Sports’ Awards Tracker also covered key accolades announced at the NHL Awards ceremony on June 12:
Award Winner & Team Notable Facts
Hart Trophy (MVP) Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets) First goalie to win since Carey Price (2015); led with 47 wins, eight shutouts, 2.00 GAA
Vezina Trophy (Goalie) Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets) Earned 31 of 32 first-place votes
Calder Trophy (Rookie) Lane Hutson (Montreal Canadiens) Fourth modern-era defenseman to lead rookies in points (66); 60 assists tied record
Selke Trophy (Def Forward) Aleksander Barkov (Florida Panthers) Second consecutive win; plus-13 5-on-5, 71 points
Ted Lindsay Award (Playervoted MVP) Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay Lightning) Over Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar
Jack Adams Award (Coach) Spencer Carbery (Washington Capitals) 91-53-20 record, playoff berth
Lady Byng Trophy (Sportsmanship) Anze Kopitar (Los Angeles Kings) –
Masterton Trophy (Perseverance) Sean Monahan (Columbus Blue Jackets) –
Other: King Clancy → Barkov; Messier Leadership → Ovechkin; Rocket Richard → Leon Draisaitl; General Manager of the Year finalists → Cheveldayoff, Nill, Zito
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Season Context & Makar’s Rise
All-Star Recognition: Makar was named to the First All-Star Team, alongside Jets goalie Hellebuyck and fellow Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon .
Elite Company: At just 26, Makar becomes one of few defensemen to multiple Norris wins early in a career, highlighting his rise among historic elite peers .
Team Success: With offensive flair and defensive mastery, Makar helped anchor Colorado to a dominant regular season and deep playoff run—though the Stanley Cup remains elusive.
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Makar’s Voice
Reflecting on the award, Makar acknowledged his team-first outlook:
> “Any time you get recognized for something like this, it’s very cool… this one’s for them.”
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What Lies Ahead
With another Norris under his belt and multiple postseason deep runs expected, Makar is poised to cement his legacy as one of the NHL’s great defensemen.
The comparison with legends continues to shape narratives—Bobby Orr (8 Norris), Paul Coffey, and Erik Karlsson stand among the rare company Makar now shares.
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Final Take
CBS Sports’ 2025 NHL Awards Tracker shines a spotlight on Cale Makar’s exceptional season—his blend of offensive explosion, defensive acumen, and team-first persona earned him the league’s highest individual honor as defenseman.
From MVP-caliber performances to elite scoring and red-carpet moments on a golf course, Makar’s season defines elite modern defense. Meanwhile, Hellebuyck, Hutson, Barkov, and others round out a season packed with standout achievement across positions.
Want to dig deeper? I can break down Makar’s coach’s role, his comparisons with past Norris winners, or the full list of NHL Awards finalists. Just say the word!
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