2 Colorado Avalanche Players Who Should Be Extension Priorities

Starting July 1, free agency may dominate the headlines, but the Colorado Avalanche may keep their priorities on keeping core pieces.

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar / Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

NHL free agency officially opens on Wednesday, but that may not be what makes headlines surrounding the Colorado Avalanche. The priority in Denver will most likely be addressing key contract decisions to keep the core players of this Stanley Cup contender team together.

There are several important contracts that need to be addressed, but the Avalanche have already been taking care of business. They have re-signed Brett Kulak, Brent Burns, and Taylor Makar.

Now, there are still two important pieces that remain to be signed to keep moving forward toward the organization’s long-term plans.

1. Cale Makar

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar / Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Honestly, this really isn’t about whether a deal gets done here, it’s just about getting it done sooner rather than later.

Beginning on July 1, Makar will be eligible to sign a contract extension. There is little doubt that this situation is Colorado’s top priority.

Makar is one of the league’s best defensemen and he is the cornerstone of the Avalanche’s championship window. He has been a Norris Trophy finalist six of his first seven NHL seasons. The decorated blue-liner won the award in 2022 and 2025.

President of Hockey Operations Joe Sakic has already publicly stated that he intends for Makar to finish his entire NHL career with the Colorado Avalanche.

“Cale is going to finish his career here," Sakic said. "We're already talking to his agent, so we're confident that something's going to get worked out at some point. I mean, he's got another year, but this summer we expect to have him signed,” Sakic said via MLB.com.

The 27-year-old finished the 2025-26 season with 20 goals, 59 assists and 79 points in 75 games. He averaged 24:51 ice time per game. The numbers just reinforce what this team already knows about their star defenseman. Locking him up to a long-term extension is a big priority.

2. Artturi Lehkonen

Colorado Avalanche left wing Artturi Lehkonen / Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Lehkonen likely won’t receive the same attention that the Makar extension might, but he certainly deserves as much urgency.

The dependable winger also becomes eligible to receive an extension on July 1. He put together an outstanding season for Colorado, where he finished with 21 goals, 27 assists, and 48 points in 70 games. He posted a plus-32 rating while averaging 18:29 of ice time per game.

Looking beyond the scoresheet, though, his value exceeds his stats. Lehkonen is one of Jared Bednar’s most trusted forwards. He complements Nathan MacKinnon by killing penalties and matching up well against opponents’ top lines. He is one of the Avalanche’s most indispensable players.

Per Evan Rawal on X, the Colorado Avalanche beat writer for the Denver Gazette, Joe Sakic is hopeful a deal will be made sometime mid-July.

"We're definitely going to be looking to hopefully come to an agreement with Artturi. Such a big, important player for our team."

Free agency usually centers around who teams can add, but championship organizations like the Avalanche stay that way by taking care of the core that already defines them. While Colorado doesn’t have a lot of cap to use in the free market, it will be important to first focus on getting extensions signed for Makar and Lehkonen.