At this point, it seems like the topic of Cale Makar’s next contract with the Colorado Avalanche is starting to sound like a broken record.
There’s no significant update on the matter. Plus, the two sides don’t really seem in a rush to get a deal done.
But they should be.
That’s because September 15 is the last day Colorado will have a chance to make Cale Makar a lifelong Avalanche.
That’s not a hyperbolic statement. It’s a fact. After September 15, the Avalanche will not be able to sign Makar to an eight-year contract. Once the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) kicks in, the Avalanche will only be able to ink Makar to a max-term seven-year deal.
All right, so one year is not the end of the world. That’s true, but it’s the symbolism behind the eight-year deal that makes all the sense in the world.
You see, Makar signing an eight-year deal signals that he’s committed to being the team’s franchise player for the remainder of his career. It’s doubtful that Makar will retire around age 35. But you have to think that signing the world’s best defenseman through his age-35 season means he won’t be going anywhere for the bulk of his career.
Even if Makar departs Colorado after his next contract, his name will become synonymous with the franchise.
Is that something that Makar would take lightly? Would becoming an undisputed franchise legend be worth more than a few million bucks?
Well, to some of us, a few million bucks would be worth just about doing anything. But at the level professional athletes gravitate to, there’s a point where money isn’t the most important thing in the world.
What happens if Makar doesn’t sign before September 15?
So, what would happen if Cale Makar doesn’t sign before September 15? Really, nothing. The two sides will still remain in limbo as they wait to hammer out a deal. Since Makar would no longer be eligible for an eight-year deal, the best everyone can hope for is a seven-year deal.
However, talk of Makar going the short-term route is also plausible. In fact, it would probably be the best thing. If Makar signs a short-term deal at a lower cap hit, it buys the team more time to remain competitive as the NHL raises the salary cap ceiling.
Would Makar’s legacy suffer if he signs a short-term deal?
Since we’re talking about Makar’s legacy, would it suffer if he signed a short-term deal? No, as long as the parties involved explained the rationale behind the move.
If, let’s say, Makar pulled a Connor McDavid and signed a two-year deal for the same cap hit he currently has, Makar would be seen as a consummate team player. He would be willing to leave a few million bucks on the table for the sake of the team.
Of course, the Avalanche will have his back down the line when the cap continues to increase. That’s only fair. But by putting the team first, Makar could secure his legacy as one of the franchise’s most dedicated stars.
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