Cale Makar and Jared Bednar enter a defining contract window as Colorado tries to secure its franchise defenseman beyond next season.
Elliotte Friedman says the Avalanche are confident they'll get an extension completed with Makar, but he identified term as one of the biggest questions surrounding the negotiations.
That detail matters because Makar can sign an 8-year extension with Colorado through September 15. Once the new contractual rules take effect, that maximum term drops.
Colorado is dealing with a player whose value needs little explanation. Makar recorded 20 goals and 79 points in 75 regular-season games in 2025-26.
His current deal carries a $9,000,000 cap hit and runs through the 2026-27 season. That gives the Avalanche time, but it doesn't remove the urgency surrounding his next contract.
The real issue may be how much control Makar wants over his future. An 8-year commitment would secure him through another major portion of his career, while a shorter deal would create flexibility sooner.
Colorado's position is equally clear. When a defenseman drives the blue line, power play and transition game at Makar's level, locking in the longest possible term protects the organization from another negotiation arriving too quickly.
" Elliotte Friedman: Re Cale Makar/Avalanche negotiations: The Avalanche said that we are gonna get this done; I think one of the big questions about him is going to be term - NHL Tonight (8/7)
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NHLRR: Teams can extend their players at 8 years until September 15th, after which "
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Colorado gets crucial update on Cale Makar's contract situation
That deadline gives these talks an unusual wrinkle. Colorado doesn't need a contract completed by then, but waiting would remove the possibility of using the current 8-year maximum.
For Makar, that can create leverage. If he prefers shorter term, there is little reason for his camp to rush simply because the Avalanche would benefit from securing an extra season.
The financial side will command attention too. Makar's next cap hit is expected to sit far above his current number, especially after another season as one of the NHL's most productive defensemen.
But Friedman's update points toward term rather than uncertainty about whether Colorado wants him. The Avalanche aren't approaching this like a player they're prepared to lose.
That makes the next several weeks about structure. Colorado has to find the combination of years and money that gives Makar enough flexibility while protecting its most important piece on the blue line.
There is no indication negotiations have collapsed or that Makar wants out. The tension comes from the calendar and from how much is riding on the decision.
Colorado believes the deal will get done. Now the question is whether it happens before September 15, while an 8-year commitment is still available.
Should Cale Makar sign the full 8-year extension with Colorado?
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