Cale Makar

Quinn Hughes tops EA Sports' NHL 26 ratings as the league's premier defenseman with a 95 overall, edging Cale Makar thanks to superior speed and passing that front-office types have whispered about all summer. His historic pace puts him ahead of Hall of Famers like Orr and Coffey in points and assists before age 26, a stat line that has Vancouver executives beaming and rivals scouting extra film. Fantasy gurus rank him No.

Zach Werenski has dethroned Cale Makar as the favorite for the NHL's best defenseman award, with the Blue Jackets defenseman putting together a career season that's carrying Columbus back into playoff contention. Makar remains in the conversation after winning last year's Norris, but Werenski's combination of elite scoring production and the sheer volume of ice time he's shouldering has voters reconsidering their early-season picks.

The Colorado Avalanche sit atop the NHL standings with 93 points and a league-best +82 goal differential, pulling away from the pack after landing Nazem Kadri in a deadline stunner that fixes their dead-last power play. Nathan MacKinnon keeps pushing his Hart case while Cale Makar dominates the blue line, and Kadri's playmaking down the middle suddenly makes their center depth lethal with Brock Nelson and others in tow.

Valeri Nichushkin steps up as the hero in a heavyweight showdown between the league's top teams, with Colorado holding the West's points lead. The Avalanche battle back late against a streaking Dallas squad, pushing the action to the edge. Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar fuel the fire, but Nichushkin's clutch play keeps the Avs rolling atop the standings.

Valeri Nichushkin strikes with time winding down to even the score against Dallas's unstoppable 10-game run. The Avalanche refuse to fade in this top-of-the-standings slugfest, forcing overtime against the Central challengers. Martin Necas's four points and Cale Makar's push set the stage for a finish that swings the division race.

The Avalanche pull off a slick trade with the Maple Leafs, landing a gritty forward to bolster their already stacked lineup just before tomorrow's deadline. GM Chris MacFarland has been vocal about adding depth down the middle behind MacKinnon and Nelson, and this move fits the bill without breaking the bank on long-term cap hits. With Cale Makar's extension looming, Colorado stays nimble, turning a depth piece from Toronto's struggling fourth line into real playoff insurance.