Avalanche Stars Makar and Nelson Earn NHL Award Nominations

The Colorado Avalanche are basking in accolades during a brief interlude in their second-round playoff battle against the Minnesota Wild. With their playoff campaign in full swing, the NHL has been announcing its award nominees, and two Avalanche players have made the cut.

In a bit of a surprise, Brock Nelson has received a nomination for the prestigious Frank J. Selke Trophy. His impressive tally of 33 goals and 65 points this season has undoubtedly elevated his profile, particularly as he played a key role on the league-leading Avalanche squad.

Meanwhile, Cale Makar, a consistent presence on the blue line, found his name among the finalists for the James Norris Memorial Trophy. Although Makar experienced a somewhat down year by his own lofty standards, with 20 goals contributing to a total of 79 points, his nomination marks the sixth consecutive year of recognition in his seven-year NHL career. The struggles of the power play this season were a notable factor in his reduced point totals.

Despite these honors, it’s worth noting that neither Avalanche player is favored to win their respective awards. Nick Suzuki is seen as the frontrunner for the Selke, while Zach Werenski is favored for the Norris. However, the Avalanche remain focused on a different goal: capturing the ultimate prize in hockey.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.