The radio silence surrounding a potential Cale Makar extension is something that might be starting to fray Colorado Avalanche fans’ nerves.
While there’s still time to get something done before the start of the season, it’s getting increasingly unlikely that a deal could come down the pipeline.
So, if an extension doesn’t get done by the beginning of the season, could this open the door for an alternate path? Would the Avalanche wait until the end of the season to extend Makar?
That could be a very real possibility.
There’s no telling how much the Avalanche and/or Makar’s camp would like to negotiate during the season. In fact, some players prefer to avoid contract discussions altogether during the season. They would rather just focus on playing, leaving the business side of things until after the season ends.
If that’s the case, it will be tough to get through the entire season without clarity on Makar’s situation. There will be plenty of background speculation about the superstar defenseman’s future. The rumor mill will grind, even if there is nothing to grind at all.
But just how detrimental would it be to hold off contract talks until the end of next season? It’s something that could end up causing unwanted consequences.
Contract negotiations might actually be a distraction
For all the talk about the uncertain situation surrounding Cale Makar, in-season contract talks might actually become a distraction.
Some stars have stated that the back-and-forth nature of negotiations ends up causing more stress during the season. Even with GMs and agents doing all the legwork, it’s still something that ends up weighing on players’ minds.
That’s why Makar might be better off kicking the can down to the end of the season. If the two sides cannot agree on anything now, there’s no telling if anything will really change during the season.
But when the season ends, however it ends for the Avalanche, circumstances could be drastically different.
Would a Stanley Cup change things for Makar and the Avalanche?
Let’s assume for a minute that next season ends with Makar and the Avalanche hoisting another Stanley Cup. That situation could drastically change the outlook for both sides. Namely, it would give Makar the certainty that he can still win in Colorado for the foreseeable future.
But should the Avalanche fall short, would that change his mind? Would the lack of a championship signal that there might be greener pastures elsewhere?
It’s a troubling thought, to say the least. Yes, there is pressure on everyone to get over the hump and prove that 2022 was no fluke. But until the Avalanche win another Cup, there will always be doubts surrounding the team and its future.
That’s why, for everyone’s sake, let’s hope a deal gets done before the season begins. Then, Makar and company can get on with the business of winning another championship.
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