And the proof is in NHL Network’s latest ranking of the league’s Top 20 defensemen. The ranking highlighted the Avalanche’s embarrassment of riches by listing Cale Makar as the league’s top blueliner. While Jared Bednar has split Makar and Toews up at times, it has only been to keep the opposition off-balance. Avalanche have ridiculously good D coreOverall, the Avalanche have a ridiculously good D core. The organization has gone to great lengths to ensure that a solid offensive-minded blueliner gets a solid defensive-minded partner.