Just past the halfway mark of the season, Carlo Colaiacovo and Frankie Corrado go “D-to-D” and take a look at what’s trending on the blue line in the NHL.
If Makar wasn’t in Colorado, it would definitely impact them, but they’d still be a playoff team. If you take Hughes off the Canucks, they’re at best a lottery team if not the winner.
No I have a slight edge for Makar but they are so close . I think Hughes controls the game a bit more , but makar is a little bit better defensively and offensively
The people that are saying Quinn is better defensively are ridiculous. He doesn't sniff the ice on the PK and Makar is the first pair out there. Hughes is great but Makar is generational. It's like comparing Ovi to Sid. Ovi puts up crazy numbers but every GM in the league would take Sid. Every GM would take Makar too.
Overall in their career, Makar has accomplished more (especially early on, he was undoubedly the best of the 2). However, since the start of last season, I would say Hughes has been better than Makar. As of right now, at this moment, Hughes is the better of the 2. This could also change as soon as next season. I think these 2 will be the bench mark for defense for many years to come.
Did a Quick Look at Natural Stat Trick, since the Avs got rid of Georgiev (Dec 9) and Annunen, Hughes and Makar have fairly similar stats at even strength, with Makar being marginally better on the power play in terms of Corsi and xGF.
And of course, Hughes doesn’t play on the PK. Other than that, their rates are fairly similar.
So I would say that Hughes and Makar should be 1A defenseman, but I would pick Makar, if forced too.
He doesnt even play PK, doesnt block shots or lay hits. Cant outscore Cale despite playing more offensive minutes (same TOI but no PK minutes) Not as good defensively because he cant PK, and not as good offensively because he STILL cant outscore Cale with more time attacking.
Look at stats from after Colorado upgraded their goalies, and Cale’s numbers surpassed Hughes’ defensively, all the while playing pk minutes against team’s first unit, and while the avs r short handed at the end of the game trying to hold a lead. I’m a big Hughes fan but people who say he’s “so much better” and “has passed Cale makar” are only looking at stats and not seeing the bigger picture – Hughes has less defensive responsibility than makar, and ik canucks fans will say “but that’s because he’d be playing 30+ minutes” isn’t that the point of the Norris? A defensemens whole body of work, not just points? Or was that standard only applied to Cale when he had way better stats offensive numbers? Stats show Hughes is more sheltered defensively than Makar, so obviously a dman who goes up against easier assignments are gonna have better numbers defensively. It’s like if one player had to guard Wemby and another had to guard Chris Paul. Logically, the person guarding the better players are probably gonna have better stats on a x60 basis.Also, people love to forget the avs have dressed the most players of any team in the nhl, so Cale’s d pairings and linemates up front have struggled just as much as Hughes. Even though Cale does play better with MacKinnon so offensively he has the better player over miller or Peterson, then shouldn’t Hughes’ defensive numbers be deflated since he had way better goaltending, even with Demko out? If this is the case, shouldn’t Zach Werenski be walking away with the Norris hands down since he has LESS offwnsive talent than both and plays the pk?I don’t know if anyone actually watches Avs games but when MacKinnon on the ice, there is virtually no sustained offensive zone time due to the lack of depth the team has mainly because of injury, and most goals without MacKinnon are rush chances, which doesn’t allow makar, who has to manage the blue line less opportunity to score than when he is playing with one of the best players on earth… the conversely is also true with MacKinnon, who doesn’t play as well without makar overall. People often misconstrued the Norris trophy, and I’d say Hughes deserves the Hart as he is more valuable to his team, 1:41 more than the Norris just for the overall body of work, where makar is still #1 , as counted on for harder defensive assignments and is on par offensively. When polled, GMs and players also overwhelmingly favour Makar, but actually it matters what small minded “fans” think most because what do the former know about hockey or anything?? At the end of the day, makar is utilized in tougher defensive situations, has almost the same points as Hughes despite going dry in December/january , and is proven to step up in big games when it matters most, whereas Quinn was almost a nonfactor in last years playoffs especially against the Oilers. I’m actually a huge fan of both, but it’s so hypocritical that context is only used for one players stats and the not the other.
29 Comments
This guy could have been a Hab! But we chose KK…
Makar is taking 13-15 mill depending on how big of a pay cut he's willing to take.
Hughes is absolutely better. I used to think Cale was better but this year man, it's gotta be Hughes.
Makar’s stats are inflated every season from play with Mackinnon
If Makar wasn’t in Colorado, it would definitely impact them, but they’d still be a playoff team. If you take Hughes off the Canucks, they’re at best a lottery team if not the winner.
Makar is gonna be in the 14-15 range
I know plus minus is a not great stat, but how come the best defence man debate is always about how many points they put up.
If miller and petterson were pulling their weights and he wasn't injured for a little bit, Hughes would have a much higher point total.
Hughes> Makar
Makar is amazing, but his reputation seems to be based on his amazing 2022 season and assumed career trajectory vs what has occurred in reality.
Makar was hands down best dman in the league that year, but it’s 2025 now and is on track to be bested by Hughes for a second year in a row.
The eye test, counting stats and advanced metrics all support this.
Werenski is an easy Norris nominee this year, phenomenal season so far.
Main takeaway- skilled dmen has hit a new level, insane talent across the board!
Quinn is so u serrated .. they travel a lot which means they will tire more .. easier to play in east coast as they are rested more
Bring makar to Vancouver
No I have a slight edge for Makar but they are so close . I think Hughes controls the game a bit more , but makar is a little bit better defensively and offensively
JD Vance a hockey analyst now!?!?
Hughes doesn’t even kill PK for the Canucks Makar literally is on Avs Top PK unit. Hughes is a superstar defense but he still isn’t as good as Makar
The people that are saying Quinn is better defensively are ridiculous. He doesn't sniff the ice on the PK and Makar is the first pair out there. Hughes is great but Makar is generational. It's like comparing Ovi to Sid. Ovi puts up crazy numbers but every GM in the league would take Sid. Every GM would take Makar too.
Overall in their career, Makar has accomplished more (especially early on, he was undoubedly the best of the 2). However, since the start of last season, I would say Hughes has been better than Makar. As of right now, at this moment, Hughes is the better of the 2. This could also change as soon as next season. I think these 2 will be the bench mark for defense for many years to come.
Compare defensive stats and it becomes patently obvious
Did a Quick Look at Natural Stat Trick, since the Avs got rid of Georgiev (Dec 9) and Annunen, Hughes and Makar have fairly similar stats at even strength, with Makar being marginally better on the power play in terms of Corsi and xGF.
And of course, Hughes doesn’t play on the PK. Other than that, their rates are fairly similar.
So I would say that Hughes and Makar should be 1A defenseman, but I would pick Makar, if forced too.
Hughes!!!
Proof last year and this Year
And he played 7 Games less this and gets targeted every game this year
Cant believe TSN is saying this many Good things about a Vancouver Canuck
He doesnt even play PK, doesnt block shots or lay hits. Cant outscore Cale despite playing more offensive minutes (same TOI but no PK minutes)
Not as good defensively because he cant PK, and not as good offensively because he STILL cant outscore Cale with more time attacking.
Quinn gets the edge. he is a Hart favorite if we make the playoffs it is solely on quinn
Goofy on the left.
Quinn can’t even keep his team together. Teams folding under his leadership
JD Vance talking hockey.
Hughes. No question
Quinn disappeared in the playoffs last year. Stars step up in the playoffs. Lets hope they make the playoffs, so we can really see if he is the best.
Surprised tsn isn’t confusing him with Jack or Luke.
Look at stats from after Colorado upgraded their goalies, and Cale’s numbers surpassed Hughes’ defensively, all the while playing pk minutes against team’s first unit, and while the avs r short handed at the end of the game trying to hold a lead. I’m a big Hughes fan but people who say he’s “so much better” and “has passed Cale makar” are only looking at stats and not seeing the bigger picture – Hughes has less defensive responsibility than makar, and ik canucks fans will say “but that’s because he’d be playing 30+ minutes” isn’t that the point of the Norris? A defensemens whole body of work, not just points? Or was that standard only applied to Cale when he had way better stats offensive numbers? Stats show Hughes is more sheltered defensively than Makar, so obviously a dman who goes up against easier assignments are gonna have better numbers defensively. It’s like if one player had to guard Wemby and another had to guard Chris Paul. Logically, the person guarding the better players are probably gonna have better stats on a x60 basis.Also, people love to forget the avs have dressed the most players of any team in the nhl, so Cale’s d pairings and linemates up front have struggled just as much as Hughes. Even though Cale does play better with MacKinnon so offensively he has the better player over miller or Peterson, then shouldn’t Hughes’ defensive numbers be deflated since he had way better goaltending, even with Demko out? If this is the case, shouldn’t Zach Werenski be walking away with the Norris hands down since he has LESS offwnsive talent than both and plays the pk?I don’t know if anyone actually watches Avs games but when MacKinnon on the ice, there is virtually no sustained offensive zone time due to the lack of depth the team has mainly because of injury, and most goals without MacKinnon are rush chances, which doesn’t allow makar, who has to manage the blue line less opportunity to score than when he is playing with one of the best players on earth… the conversely is also true with MacKinnon, who doesn’t play as well without makar overall. People often misconstrued the Norris trophy, and I’d say Hughes deserves the Hart as he is more valuable to his team, 1:41 more than the Norris just for the overall body of work, where makar is still #1 , as counted on for harder defensive assignments and is on par offensively. When polled, GMs and players also overwhelmingly favour Makar, but actually it matters what small minded “fans” think most because what do the former know about hockey or anything?? At the end of the day, makar is utilized in tougher defensive situations, has almost the same points as Hughes despite going dry in December/january , and is proven to step up in big games when it matters most, whereas Quinn was almost a nonfactor in last years playoffs especially against the Oilers. I’m actually a huge fan of both, but it’s so hypocritical that context is only used for one players stats and the not the other.