On Tuesday night, the Colorado Avalanche will head to the Pacific Northwest to face the Seattle Kraken for the first time this season. It also means it will be the return of the most-hated man in Seattle, Cale Makar.

Makar became public enemy number one in the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs matchup against the Kraken. His hit on Jared McCann in Game Four earned him a one-game suspension.

His missed game saw the Avs lose on home ice and miss the opportunity to move one game away from moving on. Ultimately, the Kraken got the upper hand and beat Colorado in Game Seven back in Denver. They moved on to face fellow Central Division foe Dallas Stars, in the next round.

Dave Hakstol, now an assistant coach for the Avalanche, was the head coach of the Kraken at the time. He condemned the hit thrown by the Canadian defender, describing it as a late hit. McCann ended up missing the rest of the Avalanche series and did not return until Game Four against the Stars.

Even though Seattle won the series, fans have not forgotten. They continue to boo Makar all these years and games later. While part of it is likely to do with the hit, Seattle sports fans are notorious for getting under people’s skin. Of course, it also includes some past ties in the NFL with the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks.

Nonetheless, Makar has faced the boos for both himself and perhaps for the entire city of Denver and the state of Colorado. But they’ve had no effect on his game.


Makar has scored five goals and 12 assists in 11 regular-season games. In the playoff series, he added five points in six games with a goal and four assists.

Regardless, it’s safe to say the trend will continue at the Climate Pledge Arena on Tuesday night. Makar will simply have to ignore it as always and put on a show from the blue line.