Elliotte Friedman reveals big hurdle in Cale Makar talks as a major deadline gives him leverage
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Elliotte Friedman dropped another hint on NHL Tonight about the Cale Makar extension: Colorado is confident a deal gets done.
The length of the contract, however, is the real sticking point.
The math floating around, $20.8 million, isn't set in stone, but it shows where the baseline is.
That $20.8 million number represents 20% of the $104 million cap for 2026-27 (the max allowed based on the year a contract is signed).
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."
- Elliotte Friedman
- Elliotte Friedman
But here's the thing: the cap is projected to jump to $113.5 million for 2027-28.
Wait until free agency next summer, and that annual ceiling jumps to $22.7 million.
Every month Makar waits, his leverage stays the exact same while the league's money pot gets bigger.
Three doors, three very different deals
The timeline basically gives everyone three options.
Before Sept. 15, Colorado can offer an eight-year max deal up to $20.8M per season.
After Sept. 16, the new CBA kicks in, capping team extensions at seven years while keeping that $20.8M ceiling.
Term drops to six years in July 2027 as a UFA, but the ceiling spikes to $22.7M.
Why the clock really belongs to Colorado
The eighth year isn't really a gift to Makar; it's a tool for the Avalanche.
It lets them stretch the money over an age-36 season to keep the cap hit down.
For Makar, who turns 28 this fall, signing eight years just means giving up long-term flexibility to save the front office some cap space.
Joe Sakic keeps saying Makar is an Avalanche for life, and there's no reason to doubt that.
But when you're a two-time Norris winner coming off a 79-point year, you don't need to do the team any favors.
If September 15 comes and goes without a signature, it'll tell you everything you need to know about who is holding the cards.
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