Overview
- Multiple reports on Thursday say the Colorado Avalanche are closing in on a major contract extension with star defenseman Cale Makar, with Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman calling the deal “closing in.”
- Denver reporter Evan Rawal reported that the team and Makar likely agreed to terms late the previous night, though the Avalanche has not issued an official announcement and contract details remain unconfirmed.
- General manager Joe Sakic has publicly expressed confidence that a deal would be completed soon, a stance that reporters say aligns with the latest insider updates.
- Makar arrives at talks as a two-time Norris Trophy winner coming off his sixth straight point-per-game season, and the market benchmark for defensemen is Bowen Byram’s $12.5 million AAV, which could influence Makar’s salary and term.
- The club’s offseason cap-clearing moves give Colorado room to pay a large contract, and the looming Sept. 16 CBA change that shortens maximum extension length could have shaped the timing and term of any preseason deal.