When you think of record-breaking moments in the NHL, many involve high-scoring forwards lighting up the scoreboard. But there’s one rare record that very few players have touched — defensemen scoring 40 or more goals in a single season. In fact, in the long history of the league, only two legendary defensemen have achieved this incredible feat: Bobby Orr and Paul Coffey. Despite the rise of talented offensive D-men like Cale Makar, reaching that 40-goal milestone remains one of the most difficult tasks in today’s game.
The Legendary 40-Goal Club: Only Orr and Coffey
Bobby Orr, considered one of the greatest NHL players of all time, scored 46 goals in the 1974–75 season for the Boston Bruins. He transformed the way defensemen played the game, combining speed, offense, and defense in a way that had never been seen before. Still, even Orr — with all his talent — hit the 40-goal mark just once in his career.
Paul Coffey, another all-time great, managed to do it twice. He first scored 40 goals in the 1983–84 season with the Edmonton Oilers, and then again in 1985–86 when he set the record for defensemen with 48 goals. Coffey had the benefit of playing on a high-powered Oilers team with stars like Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier. That era of hockey also saw more open play and higher scoring in general, which helped Coffey achieve what few others could.
Cale Makar: Today’s Closest Contender
Fast forward to today, and the closest any defenseman has come to 40 goals is Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche. At just 26 years old, Makar is already considered the best offensive defenseman of his generation. This season, he’s reached 30 goals, a new career high, and he’s scored four times in his last seven games. Still, even at his best, Makar is 10 goals short of that 40-goal mark — a number that feels nearly untouchable in modern hockey.
Why 40 Goals Is So Hard Now
Hockey has changed a lot since the days of Orr and Coffey. Today’s NHL features faster, smarter, and more disciplined defensive systems. Goalies are better trained, more athletic, and better equipped than ever before. Teams study their opponents closely with video analysis and advanced scouting. All of this makes it much harder for players — especially defensemen — to score goals consistently.
Even other talented blueliners like Zach Werenski (Columbus Blue Jackets) and Jakob Chychrun (Washington Capitals) have only managed around 20 goals this season. Doubling that output would be extremely unlikely in today’s tight-checking game.
Acknowledging the Era and Talent
The fact that Orr and Coffey were able to break the 40-goal barrier speaks to their rare mix of individual skill and the era they played in. The 1970s and 1980s were high-scoring decades with looser defensive play, making it slightly easier to put up big numbers. Today’s defensemen don’t have that luxury.
That said, scoring 30 goals as a defenseman in today’s NHL is a huge achievement. Makar is doing things that few modern-day D-men can. He creates scoring chances with his skating, puck-handling, and ability to read the play. Even if he never gets to 40 goals, he is already carving out a Hall of Fame–worthy career.
Scoring 40 goals as a defenseman in the NHL is one of the rarest and toughest records to break. Bobby Orr and Paul Coffey remain the only players in history to do it, and they had the perfect mix of talent, opportunity, and era to make it happen.
In today’s game, Cale Makar stands out as a once-in-a-generation player, and his 30-goal season proves just how good he is — even if he doesn’t quite reach 40. At the end of the day, records are just numbers, and the way Makar plays the game is a record in itself. He’s redefining what it means to be an offensive defenseman, and his impact on the game will be felt for years to come.
