Avalanche's Cale Makar to Miss Time With Injury

Colorado's 9-2 demolition of the Calgary Flames on Monday night should have been a feel-good story heading into the stretch run. 

Instead, the night ended with Cale Makar in the locker room after the second intermission, where he would not return. 

Makar took a hit from hulking Flames forward Adam Klapka late in the second period, was checked on by training staff, took two more shifts, and then didn't return for the third. Head coach Jared Bednar told reporters after the game he would be evaluated further on Tuesday. 

By Tuesday afternoon, Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic had an update: "Don't believe it's too serious, but he will likely miss a few games in order to get him to 100 percent before the playoffs." 

That's the best possible version of bad news for an Avalanche team with a nine-game cushion for the Presidents' Trophy.

Cale Makar Injury Update

ESPN's Emily Kaplan reported Tuesday that Makar's timeline is still being evaluated but the injury is "not believed to be long term." 

With nine games remaining in the regular season, the Avalanche have the luxury of being cautious without putting their playoff position at risk, as they've already clinched a spot and lead the Dallas Stars by eight points in the West. 

Cale Makar did not return to the game after taking this hit from Adam Klapka in the second period. pic.twitter.com/jbabyg4PWi

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 31, 2026

Losing Makar for a few games hurts the standings picture less than it hurts the preparation picture. He's been averaging nearly 25 minutes per game, including over four minutes on the power play and nearly two shorthanded.  

Devon Toews will likely absorb a larger role in his absence, with Brent Burns getting a look on the top power play unit alongside Sam Malinski, Nick Blankenburg, and Josh Manson picking up the defensive load. 

Makar had three assists Monday before leaving, bringing him to 75 points in 73 games (his fifth straight point-per-game season), and he was coming off one of his better performances of the second half when the injury occurred. 

The Norris Trophy Race Just Got More Interesting

Earlier this month, an anonymous PHWA voter poll conducted by ESPN's Greg Wyshynski had Makar tied with Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski for the Norris Trophy lead. 

Werenski finished second in voting to Makar last season and has been putting together one of the most impressive campaigns by a defenseman in recent memory. 

In 68 games, he has 21 goals, 78 points, league-leading offensive zone play metrics, and the only defenseman leading his team in scoring. 

On Cale Makar, don’t believe it’s too serious but he will likely miss a few games in order to get him to 100 percent before the playoffs.

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) March 31, 2026

If Makar misses three or four games and Werenski keeps producing, the scoring gap between them could widen in a way that tips the award.

The Avalanche host the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday and visit the Dallas Stars on Saturday in a game that has Presidents' Trophy implications regardless of who's in the lineup. 

Photo Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images