Overview
- Multiple credible insiders reported Thursday that the Colorado Avalanche are closing in on a contract extension with Cale Makar and that an official announcement is expected imminently.
- Makar is entering the final season of his current deal and any extension would begin in 2027‑28, removing a major roster uncertainty for Colorado’s Cup‑contending core.
- Sources describe the pending deal as likely to be highly lucrative given this summer’s spike in NHL contract values and recent top‑tier signings that have reset market benchmarks.
- A CBA change scheduled for mid‑September reduces the maximum preseason extension term, creating a tactical deadline that appears to be shaping whether Colorado and Makar pursue a longer, team‑friendly contract or a shorter, higher‑AAV deal.
- Beyond Colorado, the contract’s term and average annual value are expected to influence negotiations for other elite defensemen and reshape positional comparables across the league.