Cale Makar is set to sign a lucrative contract extension with the Colorado Avalanche, as the team's top offseason priority is to lock up the elite defenseman.
## What's at stake for Cale Makar?
The Avalanche have begun reshaping their roster, sending Ross Colton to the Nashville Predators in exchange for two draft picks and goaltender Magnus Chrona.
This move creates additional flexibility while opening the door for further additions to support Cale Makar.
## How much will Cale Makar's extension cost?
Cale Makar's current contract carries a $9 million average annual value, but he is in line for a substantial raise, with a deal in the $15-16 million range feeling entirely realistic.
The salary cap is set to continue rising, and the market for superstar talent is exploding.
## What are the implications for the Avalanche?
No team has ever won the Stanley Cup with a player carrying a cap hit above $10 million, but the Avalanche may be the team to break this trend.
The trend has come close to ending, with the Vegas Golden Knights capturing the 2023 Stanley Cup with Jack Eichel earning exactly $10 million.
Cale Makar has become far more than the face of Colorado's blue line, driving one of the NHL's most explosive offenses.
He is a former Conn Smythe Trophy winner and dual Norris Trophy winner who has redefined what the position looks like.
The Avalanche have some work to do if they hope to reclaim their place among the league's elite, finding quality depth defenders will be just as important as completing Cale Makar's extension.
Cale Makar wants to be paid like one of hockey's elite players, but he also wants to give Colorado every opportunity to surround him with a championship-caliber roster.
This balancing act could become one of the most fascinating negotiations of the summer, as the Avalanche look to build a team around Cale Makar.