Colorado Avalanche Cale Makar contract saga

In mid‑July 2026 the Colorado Avalanche announced a new AHL head coach while simultaneously confirming that talks were under way to extend star defenseman Cale Makar’s contract, which was entering the final year of a six‑year, $54 million deal. The team highlighted the 2026‑27 salary‑cap ceiling of $104 million, suggesting a potential extension was financially feasible.

By early August, no extension had been reached and reports emerged that the Avalanche were considering a trade if Makar signaled he would not re‑sign. Toronto’s Maple Leafs were named as a possible destination, with a proposed return package that could include forward Matthew Knies, defenseman Morgan Rielly and several first‑round draft picks.

By August 9, negotiations appeared to be nearing completion. While Avalanche President of Hockey Operations Joe Sakic expressed confidence in reaching a deal, the primary remaining point of discussion involves the length of the contract. The timing is critical due to an upcoming Collective Bargaining Agreement set to take effect on September 16; under current rules, the team can offer an eight-year extension until September 15, after which the new CBA would limit extensions to seven years.

Amid these talks, NHL Network ranked Makar as the number one defenseman in the league for the second consecutive year, following a season in which he recorded 79 points and was a Norris Trophy finalist. Some reports suggest the pending deal could be historic, potentially making Makar the first player to reach a $20 million average annual value.