Macklin Celebrini’s new deal with the San Jose Sharks has done more than reset the market. It has put the Colorado Avalanche in a tougher spot, and Cale Makar is the reason why.
The Sharks had little leverage in the negotiations. If they wanted to keep Celebrini, they were going to have to pay him, and the only real debate was how much. That answer came in at $18.8 million AAV, a number that immediately changed the conversation around the league.
That’s where Colorado comes in. If Celebrini is suddenly worth $18.8 million, then what is Makar worth?
It’s not a perfect comparison, sure. One is a forward, the other a defenseman.
But the basic logic is hard to ignore. Celebrini is now the highest-paid player in the NHL despite not having won anything yet in his career.
He has two seasons behind him, including one brilliant 100-point campaign.
Makar’s case is stronger. He hasn’t hit 100 points, but he has put up 30 goals and 90 points as a defenseman, which already carries major weight. Add in his two Norris Trophy wins, and it becomes very easy for his camp to point at Celebrini’s number and say Makar should be pushing for the max $20.8 million.
That’s the pressure the Avalanche are dealing with now. They may try to bring Makar’s side down from that kind of ask, but the only real way to do that would be to promise a bigger payday later.
Still, this is where the cap reality kicks in. Makar is not likely to try to crush the Avalanche. Colorado will be digging around for every dollar it can find, but a max cap hit would make it almost impossible to build a competitive roster, even with the salary cap rising over the next couple of seasons.
That makes a short-term agreement the most likely path. A deal in the three-to-five-year range could bridge the gap. A two-year contract, similar to the route Connor McDavid took, would not be a shock either, especially if it came with a modest raise.
The logic behind that kind of move is straightforward. By the summer of 2029, the cap is projected to be $123 million, and PuckPedia has the Avalanche with more than $57 million in cap space. At that point, the negotiation picture changes completely.
For now, Colorado is projected to have about $32 million in cap space next summer. If the Avalanche can get Makar locked in for two more seasons at, say, $12 million, that would still leave room to maneuver - for trades, re-signings, and maybe a free-agent addition or two.
If Makar’s camp goes that direction, it would show a willingness to help the Avalanche win now.
In Other News...
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 🡒]
Cale Makar Delay Puts Avalanches Biggest Summer Move In Focus
Cale Makars next contract has become the biggest summer item hanging over the Avalanche, even if the finish line already feels close. A trade is not the real storyline here, and both sides seem intent on getting an extension done without turning it into a public saga. The situation has the look of a top player and a contender simply working through the normal mechanics of a major deal, with Colorado hoping to lock in one of the NHLs defining defensemen for the long haul.
The delay may have more to do with timing than tension, with Makar still working back from offseason shoulder surgery. Theres also a sense that the important part may already be settled, leaving only the formal signing to come once everything is ready. It has a bit of the same feel as Connor McDavids recent contract talks, where the noise never quite matched the level of concern, and for the Avalanche that is probably the best sign of all. [Read more 🡒]
Avalanche Prospect Depth Is Real But The NHL Path Isn't Clear
The Avalanches prospect picture is deeper than it often gets credit for, and a fresh look at the organizations under-25 talent pool reinforces that there is real inventory in the system. Mile High Hockeys staff ranked the top 25 players under 25 in the organization as of Sept. 1, 2026, while also working from an extended list of 35, and the exercise turned up a few near misses who show just how crowded the path can be for young players trying to break through.
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 🡒]