New NHL Rumors Reveal Cale Makar 'Closing In' on Contract Extension with Avalanche

The Colorado Avalanche reportedly aren't risking heading into the 2026-27 season with Cale Makar on an expiring contract.

The Avalanche are "closing in" on an extension for Makar, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

The most lucrative contract for an NHL defenseman is currently held by the Chicago Blackhawks' Bowen Byram, who signed his own record six-year, $75 million extension in July.

Makar, a two-time Norris Trophy winner who helped lead the Avs to the 2022 Stanley Cup, could potentially surpass that $12.5 million AAV after his sixth straight point-per-game season.

The news comes days after Avalanche president of hockey operations Joe Sakic told reporters he was "pretty confident [Makar]'ll be signed before the season starts."

"I'm not worried about it. I don't think Cale's worried about it," Sakic said, per NHL.com .

"Dialogue has been great and when there's an agreement, we'll gladly announce it. Hopefully something will be done before the start of training camp."

The Avalanche are expected to open training camp Sept. 17, per Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette. The NHL regular season kicks off Sept. 29, followed by the Avs' season opener Sept. 30.

Makar, who will turn 28 in October, was originally selected by the Avs with the No. 4 pick of the 2017 draft.

He has developed into one of the NHL's top defensemen during his seven seasons in Colorado, most recently ranking third among blueliners with 79 points (20 goals, 59 assists) in 75 games last season.

Makar also plays a key special teams role for the Avalanche, including on a penalty kill that ranked top in the league last season with an 84.6 percent success rate.

The Avalanche already have star center Nathan MacKinnon signed to a long-term contract alongside forwards Martin Necas and Logan O'Connor as well as defensemen Devon Toews and Brett Kulak.

With goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood also under contract until 2030, the Avs will hope locking in Makar to this core can help the team compete for another Stanley Cup after last season's conference finals elimination.