‘Cale is going to finish his career here’: Avalanche GM Sakic on Makar’s next contract

It has already been a tumultuous offseason for the Colorado Avalanche, who saw their phenomenal season come to an end with a swept the hands of the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference Final.

General manager Chris MacFarland departed the organization to join the Nashville Predators in a role with an elevated title, and team president Joe Sakic took over the reins as general manager once again, a position he held until he promoted MacFarland from his assistant GM post in 2022.

Speaking with reporters for the first time since the Avs’ season came to an end and MacFarland’s exit, Sakic laid out his vision for the team’s future as well as his priorities for the offseason.

At the top of the list is the contractual status of super star defenseman Cale Makar, who will become eligible to sign a new contract extension on July 1.

“Listen, Cale’s going to finish his career here,” Sakic said. “We’ve kind of already talked to his agent, so we’re confident that something is going to get worked out at some point. He’s got another year, but this summer, we expect to have him signed.”

As Sakic alluded to, Makar is set to enter the final season of a six-year contract that carries a salary cap hit of $9 million. Makar’s contract status was often cited as a possible motiving factor when the Colorado braintrust opted to trade Mikko Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes last season rather than give him an extension at the very top of the winger market.

Now, the time is near for the Avalanche and Makar to re-set the market for defensemen.

The Calgary, Alberta native wrapped up another excellent season with 20 goals and 59 assists for 79 points in 75 regular season games. Makar was clearly banged up throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and he ultimately missed the opening two contests of the Western Conference Final before returning at less than 100% as the Avs were eliminated with two more defeats.