One of the most gifted Russian players ever, Makarov was part of the feared KLM Line along with Vladimir Krutov and Igor Larionov, a line that was the main weapon of the Soviet National Team through the 80's, leading them to two gold Olympic medals 1984 in Sarajevo and 1988 in Calgary, as well as a silver medal in 1980, in addition to seven World titles and one Canada Cup. Makarov was inducted to the IIHF Hockey Hall of Fame. He was the top scorer of the Soviet League from 1980 to 1982, and then from 1984 to 1989 inclusively; he was named USSR Player of the Year in 1980, 1985 and 1989.