A Cale Makar extension doesn’t sound like the kind of deal that needs to drag into the weeds. In fact, it feels like the sort of contract that could get done quickly once the Avalanche and their star defenseman decide it’s time to make it official.
The idea of Colorado ever trading Makar belongs in the wildest corner of the imagination. The odds are so remote they might as well be astronomical.
But an extension? That’s a much more realistic conversation, and one that could happen at any point.
If Makar wanted to lock something in tomorrow morning, the path is simple: he’d call Joe Sakic and get it done. That’s the basic sense here - not a complicated standoff, not a looming crisis, just a matter of timing.
The best recent comparison is Connor McDavid, who sat through a messy extension situation last summer before finally getting his deal done in late August, with the final year of his contract approaching. Once the sides were ready, the process moved fast and there wasn’t much drama attached to it.
Makar and the Avalanche may be operating in a similar way this summer. They could simply be taking a breather before getting back to business. It’s even possible, as the situation stands, that a handshake agreement is already in place and all that’s left is the paperwork.
If there’s a reason the announcement hasn’t come yet, the most logical one is Makar’s recovery. He had offseason shoulder surgery, and after playing through a major injury last season, he still helped push Colorado to the Western Conference Final. It wouldn’t be surprising if he’s choosing to keep things low-key while he heals.
Once training camp starts to get closer, the expectation is that Makar and the Avalanche can sit down, sort out the details, and move on. That’s usually how these things go when both sides are committed to making it happen.
And that’s the hope in Colorado: no drawn-out uncertainty, no unnecessary noise, just a clean conversation and a new deal. The Avalanche have enough to worry about without contract questions hanging over Makar.
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Avalanche Suddenly Have A Real Gavin Brindley Decision Looming
Gavin Brindley gave the Avalanche a useful look last season, getting into 56 games and chipping in six goals and seven assists while working in limited minutes. For a young player still trying to carve out a permanent NHL role, that kind of production matters, especially on a roster that values speed and energy and has shown it can find room for players who fit the pace.
Brindleys case is a little trickier because of how he profiles. He is smaller, but his quickness and work off the puck make him intriguing, and there is also a sense that he may be better suited on the wing than in the middle after holding his own on faceoffs. Even so, the path to a secure roster spot for 2026-27 is far from clear, with more competition coming and a decision point starting to come into view. [Read more 🡒]
Avalanche Prospect Depth Is Real But The NHL Path Isn't Clear
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Among the players just outside the top 25 were forward Nolan Roed, goaltender Tobias Tvrznik and defenseman Saige Weinstien, each of whom drew enough notice to earn honorable mention status after recent performances that kept them in the conversation. The broader takeaway is familiar for a team trying to balance contention with development: the Avalanche may have more young talent on hand than outsiders realize, but sorting out which prospects can realistically translate that promise into NHL roles is still the hard part. [Read more 🡒]