Devon Toews isn’t someone who regularly engages with social media. His most recent Instagram post dates back 30 weeks, mainly consisting of family-focused moments since his 2022 Stanley Cup win. However, his Instagram stories offer a glimpse into his close bond with his defense partner, Cale Makar. In fact, almost every story in the last two seasons has been a congratulatory message for Makar’s latest achievement.
“He hates it, and I think it’s funny,” Toews said. “It’s my little way of annoying him. I guess there are a lot of those posts because he just keeps breaking records. He’s going to keep doing that for the next 12 years or however long he plays.”
Toews and Makar have formed one of the NHL’s most dominant defensive pairings over the past four and a half seasons, starting when Toews was traded from the New York Islanders in 2020. While they haven’t been together on every shift, they’ve logged over 4,000 minutes at 5-on-5, including Stanley Cup Playoffs. When the Avalanche are in crucial moments, it’s nearly guaranteed that these two will be on the ice together.
Avalanche coach Jared Bednar shared his thoughts on their synergy, saying, “It’s hard to put into words. They give us the stability we need from a top pair. They can play against anybody, create offense, and check at a high level. It’s a luxury to have them.”
After a thrilling victory in Edmonton, Toews and Makar, along with Nathan MacKinnon, headed to Montreal for the 4 Nations Face-Off, the first major international event since the 2016 World Cup. This tournament marks the first chance for both Makar and MacKinnon to represent Canada since their junior days, while it will be Toews’ debut with Team Canada.
MacKinnon, who didn’t know much about Toews when the trade happened, has since seen how integral Toews is to the team. “I think he’s one of the most important guys,” MacKinnon said. “His stick skills, IQ, and style are incredible. He’s been a top 5 D-man since we got him.”
The partnership between Toews and Makar wasn’t immediate. Initially, they only played together about one-third of Toews’ 5-on-5 minutes during the 2020-2021 season. But as the seasons went on, they clicked, with Makar winning the Norris Trophy in 2022 and Toews finishing eighth. That same year, the Avs won the championship, with Makar also earning the Conn Smythe Trophy.
Their collaboration continued to flourish, with Toews playing a quieter, yet critical role behind Makar’s explosive talent. Toews was once considered an underrated player, but his chemistry with Makar has made him one of the best second-pair defensemen in the league.
“What sets Cale apart is his ability to do the little things really well,” Toews said. “It’s not just about skill, it’s about the ordinary things compete level, tape-to-tape passes. That’s what makes him special.”
The strength of their pairing also comes from Toews’ selfless nature. Despite being a top-tier defenseman himself, Toews has embraced his role as Makar’s supporting partner. “I think he could be a No. 1 defenseman anywhere,” Makar said, “but we’re fortunate to have him here.”
Toews, a British Columbia native, grew up watching Canadian players like Sidney Crosby win gold at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Now, years later, he’s living out his dream, playing for Team Canada, alongside Makar a partnership that has elevated the Avalanche to new heights.
“It’s crazy to think about,” MacKinnon said. “We have them on the Avs, and now they might be the top pairing for Canada too.”
