One of the highest risers in the 2017 NHL entry draft landed in the top five on Friday night when the Colorado Avalanche took defenseman Cale Makar with the No. 4 overall pick.
NHL draft 2017: Avalanche select high-upside defenseman Cale Makar with No. 4 pick
Makar is uber-talented but must prove himself next year.
Makar rose from relative obscurity before the season to top-five status after a monster year with the Brooks Bandits of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. Colorado takes him hoping the offensively dynamic defenseman can translate his skills to the NCAA next year and the NHL beyond that.
The Avalanche lack a true No. 1 defenseman for the future, and Makar could be that for them. But first he will skate for UMass Amherst in 2017-18, his first test against much tougher competition than he faced in Alberta.
He’s is an under-sized (5’11) offensive defenseman with some of the most impressive instincts in the draft. Makar owns a deceptively good shot from the point or off the rush, with good speed, aggression and vision that leads to creative playmaking.
He could be a future power play quarterback if he can prove his size isn’t a problem defensively at the pro level.
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