Cale Makar is set to negotiate a potentially record‑breaking extension with the Colorado Avalanche, with talks intensifying after his current $9 million AAV contract expires next season on 30 Jun 2026.
What is at stake for Cale Makar?
The defenseman, a two‑time Norris Trophy winner, entered his current deal in 2024 after delivering a Norris, a Stanley Cup and a Conn Smythe. With the salary cap now $104 million, the maximum allowable AAV sits at 20 % of the cap – roughly $20.8 million. Friedman, an NHL insider, told the 32 Thoughts podcast on 23 Jun 2026 that Makar could command “whatever he wants,” but may leave a few million on the table for roster flexibility.
How does the market compare?
Last summer, the Minnesota Wild gave Kirill Kaprizov a $17 million AAV, only to be eclipsed by the Philadelphia Flyers’ offer sheet to Anaheim’s Leo Carlsson at $18 million per year. Those figures set a high bar, yet Makar’s potential deal could still top Bowen Byram’s $12.5 million AAV, signed with Chicago for 2027‑28. If Makar signs at $18 million, he would join the elite tier of NHL contracts while preserving roughly $2.8 million of cap space.
Why is Colorado positioning its roster now?
The Avalanche have already cleared cap space by moving Valeri Nichushkin and opting not to re‑sign Jack Drury. In the meantime, they added forwards Fedor Svechkov and Zachary L’Heureux, both on contracts that run through the 2026‑27 and 2027‑28 seasons at modest rates. Those moves give Colorado room to absorb a massive Makar extension without crippling the rest of the roster.
What could the final numbers look like?
Friedman speculated on 23 Jun that Makar “won’t max out” at the $20 million ceiling, preferring a “big, big number” that still leaves flexibility. A realistic scenario might see a $18‑$19 million AAV, placing him among the top three earners in the league and far above Byram’s defenseman benchmark. Such a contract would cement Makar’s status as the highest‑paid defenseman and possibly the highest‑paid player overall.
When will a decision be reached?
The offseason clock is ticking. Makar’s agent and Avalanche management are expected to finalize terms before the league’s 1 Oct 2026 deadline for contract extensions. Until then, the hockey world watches, aware that the outcome will reshape the NHL’s salary landscape for years to come.