Colorado Avalanche Roundtable: Discussing the Possibility of Cale Makar in the Playoffs

The Colorado Avalanche’s top prospect, Cale Makar, could theoretically debut in this year’s playoffs. But will he?

The Colorado Avalanche’s fourth-overall draft pick from 2017, Cale Makar, is ripping it up with the University of Massachusetts Minutemen. UMass is about to make its first-ever appearance in the Frozen Four.

The semifinal game — ironically, against the local Denver University Pioneers — takes place on April 11. The championship game is on April 13.

The Colorado Avalanche begin their postseason against the Calgary Flames on April 11. Their first home game is April 15. So, technically speaking, Makar could sign his entry-level contract and play in the Avs’ first home playoff game even if the Minutemen play in the championships.

This fact has many Avs fans and even sports writers giddy with the prospect of Makar joining Colorado during its playoff run. BSN Avalanche’s AJ Haefele posited Makar could “hop a flight to Calgary” and even play in the second away game if the MInutemen are eliminated.

Mile High Hockey was even more excited by the prospect:

In fact, it was this tweet and the ensuing discussion that led me to write this post. There’s a lot to unpack and discuss just in that tweet. We’ll look at some of the reactions to that tweet as well as one MHS contributor’s opinion. Finally, I’ll weigh in because, hey, I’m the one typing this post up.

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First of all, we need to understand that as soon as Cale Makar suits up and takes a shift with the Avalanche in the playoffs, he burns a year off his entry-level contract. In any other year, that might not be a big deal. However, the expansion draft for the Seattle Kracken (which is what I’m calling them), happens in 2021. It’s supposed to be the same as the expansion draft for Vegas.

All first- and second-year players are exempt. However, if Makar plays in even a single playoff game this season, he’ll be a third-year player in 2021. The Avalanche will have to protect him.

The Avs will be able to protect seven forwards, three defensemen and one goalie, or eight skaters (forwards/defensemen) and one goalie in the draft. In all likelihood, protecting Makar at that time will mean having to expose a player Colorado doesn’t want to lose.

Now, if you click on the above tweet and read the mentions, you’ll see that Avs fans are unconvinced Makar can make a difference in the playoffs for the team. Mile High Hockey counters with Charlie McAvoy, who made a difference for the Boston Bruins by debuting in the 2017 playoffs.

Well, he played six games and earned three assists. I guess that’s something of a difference.

Here’s where Hils chimes in:

“Realistically I don’t think the Avs are Cup contenders this year. Burning a year off Makar’s ELC would be a waste at this point. He’s not going to make the difference between them winning the Cup or not.”

That’s some sense if I ever read some. Why burn a year off his ELC when it will have grave consequences in the future? This for a player who is unlikely to help a green team win the Stanley Cup?

And now, for my two cents. If the Colorado Avalanche win even one of their games in Calgary, they’re going to be loathe to change up a lineup that’s succeeding for anything less than a Mikko Rantanen return. (He’s expected to return by Game 1) And, no, a prospect who’s unproven at the NHL level in even the regular season doesn’t rise to that level.

If the Avs lose both games, it’s a huge ask to expect a 20-year-old rookie with no NHL experience to come in and be a difference-maker in the pressurized environment that is the NHL playoffs. Joe Sakic has shown himself to be pretty savvy — I somehow don’t think he’d make that ask. Especially when, again, you consider the expansion draft implications.

Finally, as you may have read, I’m unconvinced Makar will turn pro right away. He’s the crown jewel at UMass, their star player who looks good to win the Hobey Baker Award. As I noted, he’s led the team to their first-ever Frozen Four appearance and may well lead them to their first NCAA championship.

Is it really surprising that the 20-year-old kid might want to bask in all of those experiences before he turns to the next phase of his life? After all, there’s no question that the Avalanche will offer him a contract. He doesn’t need to sign now to lose his chance. It will be there this summer.

UMass’ semifinals game against the DU Pioneers takes place at 6:30 pm on April 11. You can watch a 1 1/2 hours of that game on ESPN2 before tuning in to the Colorado Avalanche playoff game at 8 pm.