Breaking down the Colorado Avalanche’s All-Star placements by the NHL

Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar are two of the Colorado Avalanche players to receive all-star votes by the NHL. Who else got votes?

The Colorado Avalanche have two of the best players in the league in center Nathan MacKinnon and defenseman Cale Makar. So, it should go without saying that both players made the NHL’s All-Star team for the 2024-25 season.

MacKinnon led all centers in points in terms of voting with 731. The breakdown of the votes for No. 29 is as follows: 85 first-place votes, 101 second-place votes, and three third-place votes. He has now been voted as an all-star four times: Twice a first-team all-star and twice a second-team. I’d have to go and find out when he was voted for second-team, but the idea of him as a non-first team all-star sounds crazy.

MacKinnon played in 79 games this past season, recording 32 goals and 84 assists for 116 points. He also finished the year with a plus-minus of 25. Surprisingly, he only had six games in which he scored multiple goals. He also recorded his 1000th career point in the process…twice.

Makar finished the season as the league’s best defensive player, going home with the Norris trophy for the second time in his career. He had 30 goals and 62 assists for 92 points in 80 games played in the regular season. He also had a plus-minus of 28, 12 power play goals, and 35 total power play points. He set a career-high in shots with 246, and a shooting percentage of 12.2 percent.

Makar continues to prove his worth th the Avalanche as the best defender in the league. He’s also the best offensive defensive player in the world.

Which other Colorado Avalanche players received all-star votes?

While no other member of the Avalanche received second-team votes, that didn’t eliminate some other votes going their way.

Right wing Valeri Nichushkin received a single second-team vote, but there were others who received way more. Based off of the league’s point system, he had three points from the single vote, while the top-three in votes at right wing all had triple-digit voting points. Nichushkin came in tied for seventh with Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers.

Side note: Former Avalanche and current Dallas Star Mikko Rantanen falls right above Nichushkin and Draisaitl with seven points (one second-team vote and four third-team votes).

Alongside Cale Makar, Devon Toews was on the list as well. He finished with 13 voting points (three second-team votes and four third-team votes). Toews does somewhat get overlooked because he has Makar on his line, but No. 7 still had 10 goals and 34 assists in 76 games this year. He finished with a plus-minus of 30. Toews also had four game-winning goals including two in overtime.

Finally, the Avalanche actually get some goalie love, with MacKenzie Blackwood tied for ninth with three points (three third-team votes). He was tied with Igor Shesterkin of the New York Rangers.