I’m not sure what you mean by control the game from the back end. Because as it is right now, Colorado’s entire game plan runs through Makar. He absolutely dictates the pace of every game from the back end.
And he’s way, way better than karlsson ever was defensively
I would say, up until last season, Makar was on par with Karlsson at his best. But probably starting last season, he did surpass him. Right now, correcting for difference in era, overall game, style, speed everything like that, I kind of like the Leetch comparison. Actually, for Makar and Fox both, whom I believe are pretty close. I would have to give Makar the edge long term as I think he hasn't reached his ceiling and this season it's closer since he's improved more. Leetch was an out of this world skater and really out of this world abilities in general. And a terrific defensive dman. But he wasn't a dominating, shut down Dman.
It's hard to judge players defense wholly on statistics and without factoring in team and partner. But just in general, Makar is terrific at the possession game, which is pretty significant in today's hockey. Obviously if you can keep the puck away from the other team it's going to be extremely difficult for them to score. He skates around with the puck playing keep away or pushing it or passing out of the zone with the best of them. And surely, he's becoming one of the best in the league at that. As you suggested they run the game through him and he dictates pace, going forward. Once they have possession.
This season, I think one of the main things that's allowed them to do that is having him paired with Toews, they really are one of the best pairs in the league if not the best combined pair. And I don't want to underrate Toews' contribution. I think on many other teams, Toews right now would be his teams top Dman and they'd run the game through him. There have been games where, IMO, Toews has looked like the best defender on the Avs, other games where Makar has. Probably more for Makar. But it's really a two headed beast when they are out there. And I am not saying Toews is on Makar's level. But he's world's better than Rutta or whomever Doughty has to partner with this week. And that clearly has an effect on their respective game play.
I think where Makar still needs to grow and where he's behind guys like Hedman is when the other team does have the puck and is pressuring in the defensive zone. Which he will have to deal with in the playoffs and with playoff style hockey. And that's where I think guys like Hedman, Lidstrom, Pronger, generally shine. It might have something to do with size. But I don't think it's dependent upon size. Letang for instance only 6'. Rangers Lindgren I think is terrific in own zone and he's only 6'. Makar has only really started putting himself in front of shots this season. And he obviously doesn't play as physical of a game. Not that you need "bone crushing" hits. But just jarring the opponent in general, putting your body in front of their path, crashing the boards, getting on top of guys, smothering them, getting physical around the net etc... That, IMO, is why if you look at most of the Stanley Cup teams and winners, they generally have a Defender who can really take over on the back end physically when the other team has the puck in your zone. And that's when guys like Pietrangelo, Doughty, Hedman etc.. take over. Maybe Makar will. But playoff hockey isn't going to allow him to just maintain possession and skate around everyone.
And I think that's the major difference right now. Makar can get away with dominating on possession during the regular season but I am curious to see how he will handle the more physical, lower scoring, sometimes slower playoff/finals gameplay. Because that's when guys like Hedman and Doughty are at their best. And Makar won't be able to get away with just keeping the puck or playing a heavy possession game. He will have way more pressure on him. Maybe this is where size will come into the picture more also. But that's when he'll need to get in front of shots, when he will need to smother the opposition forwards. And maybe he will take that leap. But right now, I just don't think he's at that level defensively, as a complete Dman. And that's what an elite Dman does. And it's why I would rather have that level of Dman in the NHL, if your goal is to win a Cup. And it's extraordinarily difficult to win in the playoffs, let alone going all the way, without that.
We can argue back and forth about Makar or Hedman or whomever, but I don't think there is much doubt that Makar-Toews duo is just sick. Unfortunately, Hedman doesn't have the greatest partner in Rutta. He's good enough, but that's about it. Hedman has to do a lot on his own which I think is wearing on him this season especially as he's getting older and as the season goes on. Rutta is ok, but he's nowhere near the kind of player Toews has become and he doesn't help Hedman nearly as much as Toews helps Makar and vice versa. Yet I would say Hedman-Rutta is right up there near the top also. If Hedman had a partner like Toews, or even like Lindgren or Weeger or some of the sidekicks to the leagues other top defenseman, I don't think even Makar-Toews would be able to keep up. Hedman really has to take on so much responsibility.
I would say Doughty though, is probably up there as one of the most complete and best D in the league. Maybe even better defensively than Hedman, but not quite as good offensively. But I think they're close. Doughty, this season at least, has also had a bit too much responsibility and his partners not quite up to snuff.
