Makar had a very successful season. The long-time productive back, who has averaged more than a point per game since joining the NHL, managed to collect 92 points of 30 goals and 62 assists from 80 starts, setting a personal best in points and goals.
Only forward Nathan MacKinnon was ahead of him in team scoring with 116 points.
Makar added five points (1+4) in seven playoff games. In total, he has 395 games played and 428 points (116+312). In the fight for the Stanley Cup, which he won with the Avalanche in 2022 (when he also received the Conn Smythe Trophy for the most productive player of the playoffs), he has accumulated another 85 points (22+63) in 79 games.
Makar triumphed by a huge margin. He scored 1,861 points in the voting, with second-place Zach Werenski of Columbus having 1,266 and third-place winner Quinn Hughes of Vancouver having 918.
Makar learned of his victory while golfing with friends in his hometown of Calgary, when he stopped to visit his parents.
"Any time you get recognised for something like this, it's very cool," Makar, 26, said.
"It's very special to be able to (win) this a second time. To have the group of guys that we did - it seems cliche to say, but it's truly a team award.
"We had a fun year, and it'll be more fun hopefully continuing, but this one's for them."
Makar became only the ninth defenceman in NHL history to break the 30-goal mark. Before him, Mike Green of Washington was the last to do it, scoring 31 goals in the 2008/09 season.
Makar came close in the 2021/22 regular season, when he posted similar numbers and collected 86 points (28+58) in 77 games. It was then that he won the Norris Trophy for the first time.
