The Avalanche Are Going ALL IN On Cale Makar, And His Norris Snub Changes Nothing

Alright, Avalanche fans, you hear that? That's the sound of a contract waiting to drop, and it's gonna be a big one. Joe Sakic, the man running hockey operations and general manager for the Colorado Avalanche, just put it out there: star defenseman Cale Makar is finishing his career in Denver. Period. Sakic said it plain and simple: "Cale is going to finish his career here." Talk about a vote of confidence, especially after how their season ended.

Makar's Monster Deal and a Norris Heartbreak

This is huge because Makar, who's still only 27, can sign an extension on July 1. His current deal, a six-year, $54 million contract, runs through the 2026-27 season, but Sakic is not messing around. They are already talking to his agent, and Sakic fully expects to have him signed this summer. Why the urgency? Look at the guy's resume. Makar is a two-time Norris Trophy winner, the NHL's top defenseman, and a three-time All-Star. He won the Conn Smythe as playoff MVP back in 2021-22 and the Calder Memorial Trophy as Rookie of the Year in 2019-20. Even this season, he put up 79 points, with 20 goals and 59 assists, plus a fantastic plus-32 rating in 75 games. He was a Norris finalist for the sixth year in a row, but get this, he fell short on Tuesday to first-time winner Zach Werenski from the Columbus Blue Jackets. Ouch. Makar still added five points, four goals and one assist, with a plus-5 rating in 11 playoff games, even battling an upper-body injury. This dude is a game-changer with 507 career points, 136 goals, and 371 assists, plus a ridiculous plus-168 rating in 470 regular-season games. In the playoffs, he has 26 goals and 90 points in 90 games. The numbers speak for themselves.

What's Next After a Presidents' Trophy Sweep

This move comes after a wild season for the Avalanche. They won the Presidents' Trophy with the league's best record, a dominant 55-16-11 for 121 points. They looked unstoppable, eliminating the Los Angeles Kings in four games and then the Minnesota Wild in five. But then, boom, they got swept by the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference finals. Talk about a gut punch after such a strong regular season. Sakic, who recently took over as GM this month when Chris MacFarland moved to Nashville, is making his mark. He also confirmed that the coaching staff is staying put, including head coach Jared Bednar. Bednar is going into the final season of his contract, and Sakic made it clear: "He's got the confidence from the players. It's clear from everybody, from players, the staff, that he's the right guy. They respect him, they love playing for him, and that's a big thing. He's the best coach for the group, and we're confident in that decision." Bednar, 54, has coached the team for 10 regular seasons, 445 wins, 262 losses, and 75 ties, with nine playoff runs, including that 2022 Stanley Cup win. Sakic says Bednar isn't just the coach, he's the voice of the organization, and the players really believe in him. So, Makar is getting paid, and the coaching staff is locked in. The Avalanche clearly believe they have the right pieces in place despite that tough exit from the playoffs. Now, the question is, can they bounce back next season and turn that Presidents' Trophy into another Stanley Cup? Keep your eyes peeled for that massive Makar extension, because it's coming.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.