There is no question that the biggest item on the Colorado Avalanche’s agenda is extending Cale Makar.
There is also no doubt that the organization will try to get something sorted out this summer. Makar has been eligible to sign an extension since July 1. But that hasn’t happened yet.
While we could get into the specifics of why the extension hasn’t happened yet, the fact is that it’s one of those megadeals that could change the NHL’s landscape.
Makar figures to become the NHL’s highest-paid defenseman, Leo Carlsson’s offer sheet notwithstanding.
That said, what happens if getting the deal across the finish line takes longer than anticipated?
What happens if the season begins and Makar remains unsigned beyond next season?
Would that situation become a distraction for the Colorado Avalanche?
When impending UFAs head into the season, trade talk almost invariably comes up. Teams gauge interest in the player, trying to get a sense of what offers might be out there.
But this is Cale Makar we’re talking about. There isn’t going to be a trade unless Makar locks himself in a closet and refuses to come out until a trade gets done.
Even barring the possibility of a trade, fans and the media will wonder why a deal hasn’t been done. Occam’s Razor would suggest that the two sides are far apart in financial terms. If so, how big would the difference be?
Moreover, if the difference is too much, would the Avalanche allow the situation to reach July 1, 2027? Would Joe Sakic allow things to get that far?
Those are all open-ended questions. They have many-sided answers that we can only conjecture about. Only those privy to the conversation between the two sides would offer a clear insight into the actual situation.
In the meantime, there will be some lingering doubts about the situation. Until there is clarity on the matter, the situation could get out of hand and really become a dark cloud over the team.
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