Cale Makar Eyes Record Deal as Avalanche Plot Extension

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.