Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes faces formidable competition for the NHL’s best defenseman title from Colorado Avalanche’s star Cale Makar, who carries a $54 million contract. During an August 19 appearance on NHL Network, analyst EJ Hradek named Makar as the top defenseman currently in the league, highlighting his extraordinary all-around abilities.
Hradek emphasized Makar’s place among hockey legends:
“I mean, when you look at it, all the things he brings to the table, he very well may be.” Hradek added, “And that’s something I never thought I would say, as someone who grew up as a young boy, hearing about Bobby Orr, and we know how wonderful and great Bobby Orr was, and watching Nicklas Lidström over many years, and watching Scott Niedermayer, there’s been a lot of great defensemen, but at the end of the day, he may end up being the best defenseman ever, at least to date.” —EJ Hradek, NHL Analyst
Alongside high praise for Makar’s offensive skills, Hradek pointed to the defenseman’s dynamic skating and physical play as factors placing him just ahead of Hughes in the current NHL landscape.
“What he does, he’s dynamic. His edge work is special. He’s a special skater. He can play physical. You can see he’s already been part of winning at the highest level in the National Hockey League. I don’t know what else to say about Cale Makar.” —EJ Hradek, NHL Analyst
When directly comparing the two, Hradek noted subtle differences that could tip the scales:
“There’s not a ton of difference for me between Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes. The difference is simply and we talked about this in the meeting, Makar is just a little bigger, and he’s a little more dynamic. But that’s a difference.” —EJ Hradek, NHL Analyst
The rivalry between these elite blue liners sets the stage for an intense Norris Trophy contest as the upcoming NHL season approaches.
Quinn Hughes Continues to Build on Norris Trophy Success
Quinn Hughes reached a milestone as the first Vancouver Canucks defenseman ever to win the Norris Trophy during the 2023-24 season, posting the league’s top numbers among defenders that year. His performance secured him back-to-back nominations the following season.
Despite Hughes’ impressive 2024-25 campaign, he was overshadowed by Makar’s historic achievement of scoring 30 goals—the first defenseman to reach that mark in about 30 years. This standout feat propelled Makar ahead of both Hughes and Columbus Blue Jackets’ Zach Werenski in the Norris Trophy race.
Looking ahead to the 2025-26 season, Hughes appears poised for another strong Norris Trophy candidacy, provided he remains healthy. Last season Hughes battled several health setbacks, limiting him to 68 games, yet he still managed 16 goals and 60 assists, totaling 76 points. Extended to a full season, those numbers suggested he could rival Makar’s 90-point output.
The Impending Norris Trophy Battle Promises Excitement
The ongoing competition between Hughes and Makar represents one of the most thrilling Norris Trophy rivalries in recent memory. Fans can anticipate a passionate and determined contest as both defensemen push their limits to claim top honors.
With Hughes rebounding from health issues and Makar continuing to demonstrate his elite skill set, the race for the NHL’s premier defenseman title has never looked more intense or promising.