Colorado Avalanche gear up for key summer extensions
Colorado’s front office is already mapping out a busy summer, with two priority extensions on the horizon. General manager is focusing on keeping Cale Makar in the fold and securing a contract for a second emerging forward a year earlier than originally planned.
Makar’s breakout season has turned heads across the league. The 27‑year‑old defenseman logged a career‑high 71 points last year, earning a spot on the All‑Star roster and cementing his status as one of the league’s most dynamic blue‑liners. That performance has translated into a clear demand for a long‑term deal, and the Avalanche are eager to reward the player before the market shifts.
Beyond Makar, the club is eyeing another young forward who has shown flashes of brilliance in the AHL and is now ready for a regular‑season role. By moving up the timeline, the organization hopes to lock in the player’s rights before he becomes a restricted free agent next summer.
The prospect of offer sheets adds another layer of complexity. NHL teams have historically used the mechanism to pry away star talent, and the Avalanche’s rivals are known to be aggressive in their pursuit. While the league’s recent rule tweaks have made offer sheets less common, the threat remains a decisive factor in negotiation strategy.
Team officials have indicated that they will match any reasonable offer, but the front office is also preparing contingency plans that include potential trades or internal promotions. The timeline for these decisions will become clearer as the July filing deadline approaches.