Sam Girard vs. Cale Makar

[VoluntaryDom]

makar is literally playing at a norris level right now, this is not close

 

[FinlandPanther]

Huge fan of both but this is just easily Makar for me. You’re taking about an elite minute muncher who is excellent at everything. Girard is good defensively, a little undersized, but good offensively as well. Lucky to have both to be honest.

 

[VoluntaryDom]

Currently or how good does it project to be in his prime? ATM he's still figuring things out & can be flustered by heavy forechecks...and like all rookies has had both ups & downs this season...but his two-way potential is a big part of his appeal as well; thus why so many of us have been comparing him to Keith rather than Karlsson, ever since that first prospect camp he participated in as an Av.

so far the analytics paint him as average defensively and mega elite offensively in the karlsson mold. hell of a player though

 

[a mangy Meowth]

As I voted a year ago - Makar.

It's a treat to have Girard on this team. He is a cerebral, silky smooth Dman who also munches minutes, pushes the play, and plays well defensively. And his contract is sweet.

That said, Makar is just plain special. He's something else entirely. He's a beast and I can't wait to see what kind of heights he can reach.

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

Oh this is a bump. For a minute there I got excited - not in a good way - thinking wow, Girard is really playing that well???!?!? (This bummed me out as a Preds fan). But now I see.

Avs are in a real sweet spot right now. They've got Mackinnon locked up so under market for so long, and they've got so many of these great pieces in place, a dominant top line and these top young D, and did a great job shoring up some of their depth... this team scares me.

 

[cgf]

so far the analytics paint him as average defensively and mega elite offensively in the karlsson mold. hell of a player though

"So far" being the operative phrase...as a) sample size & b) Cale's still figuring things out and isn't making the full impact that he is capable of. Some things have started clicking for him over the past couple of weeks, but he still has a lot more to his game to show. He's more explosive than Keith, so his offensive upside is higher, but the careful way he goes about building his transition game from his own zone out -- at least when he's comfortable utilizing his entire skillset -- is very Keith-esque...if that makes sense.

His adaptation to the NCAA & AJHL levels followed a trend that we are seeing repeating itself IMO; in that his production & offense translated quickly at those previous level, but it wasn't until year 2 that he truly dominated all over the ice and implemented his full skillset, while taking on even more responsibilities.

 

[snipes]

Girard looks incredible today. Id rather take the surer thing.

Still feel this way?

 

[Kcb12345]

Makar and it's really not even close. I have a very hard time seeing Girard ever be a #1 dman

 

[spiny norman]

Lopsided result.