Cale Makar Shutdown: How NHL Teams Contain The Avalanche Star

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Post on May 04, 2025

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Cale Makar Shutdown: How NHL Teams Contain the Avalanche Star

Cale Makar. The name itself evokes images of dazzling puck-handling, blistering speed, and a seemingly impossible ability to control the game from the blue line. For opposing teams, the question isn't if Makar will impact the game, but how they can mitigate his influence. Containing the Avalanche superstar defenseman is a challenge that has baffled even the league's best, but some strategies have proven more effective than others.

The 2022 Conn Smythe Trophy winner is a unique player; his offensive prowess is rarely seen from a defenseman, let alone one with his defensive capabilities. Simply assigning one player to shadow him is futile; Makar's vision, skating, and offensive instincts allow him to constantly create scoring opportunities, whether through pinpoint passes or blistering slap shots. So how do coaches and teams attempt the seemingly impossible task of neutralizing this offensive juggernaut?

Strategies for Containing Makar's Offensive Threat:

• Neutral Zone Trap: Many teams attempt to clog the neutral zone, limiting Makar's space and time to make plays. By forcing turnovers and preventing quick transitions, they aim to reduce his offensive zone entries. This strategy focuses on preventing the Avalanche from establishing their cycle and limiting Makar's ability to quarterback the power play. However, this tactic can be risky, leaving the team vulnerable to a swift counterattack from Colorado's skilled forwards.

• Aggressive Forechecking: A more direct approach involves relentless forechecking, forcing turnovers and preventing Makar from smoothly transitioning the puck out of his own zone. This high-pressure strategy aims to disrupt his offensive rhythm and tire him out, making him less effective as the game progresses. However, this requires significant energy expenditure and can leave the team exposed if the forecheck fails.

• Matching Up: This involves strategically assigning their best defensive pairing to shadow Makar throughout the game. This allows for tighter coverage and reduces his ability to exploit mismatches. The key here is to have a pairing that combines speed, strength, and defensive awareness to stay with Makar's elusive movements. However, even the best defensive pairings can struggle against Makar's exceptional talent.

• Targeting Makar's Passing Lanes: While physical play is discouraged, disrupting Makar's passing lanes is crucial. Smart positioning and effective stick work can limit his ability to find teammates with his precise passes, reducing his overall offensive impact. This strategy requires discipline and excellent anticipation from the defensive pairing.

• Power Play Neutralization: Makar is a lethal weapon on the power play. Teams need to focus on disciplined penalty killing and limiting his time and space to operate. Effective box play, aggressive net-front presence, and quick puck movement can significantly diminish his effectiveness with the man advantage.

Beyond Individual Matchups: A Team Effort

Containing Makar isn't simply about one player or one strategy. It requires a complete team effort. Disciplined defensive play, smart puck management, and consistent effort in all three zones are essential. The Avalanche's system relies heavily on Makar's ability to orchestrate plays, so disrupting that system as a whole is as important as focusing on the individual.

The Bottom Line:

While completely shutting down Cale Makar remains an extremely challenging task, employing a combination of the strategies mentioned above, coupled with disciplined team play, can significantly reduce his impact on the game. However, even with the most meticulously planned defensive schemes, Makar’s exceptional skill and creativity ensure that he will always remain a major threat. The quest to contain this hockey superstar remains one of the NHL's most intriguing and ongoing challenges.