Overview
- Joe Sakic told reporters on Sunday that negotiations with Cale Makar are productive and he is "pretty confident" a contract will be signed before the 2026-27 season begins.
- Makar has been eligible to sign an extension since July 1 and enters the season in the final year of his current deal with a $9 million average annual value.
- A new collective bargaining agreement that takes effect on Sept. 16 will reduce the maximum extension term from eight years to seven, creating a tactical deadline that could shape the length and structure of any deal.
- Colorado has limited cap room but cleared roughly $6.125 million by trading Valeri Nichushkin, and the club reports no lingering injuries as it heads into training camp.
- Recent high‑AAV contracts around the league push market benchmarks higher and make a large raise likely for Makar, while Artturi Lehkonen and coach Jared Bednar remain in the final year of their deals with no public updates.