Colorado Avalanche GM Joe Sakic Reveals the Latest on Cale Makar Contract Talks

Cale Makar is yet to sign a long-term extension with the Colorado Avalanche, but according to GM Joe Sakic, we may have a resolution very soon.

Joe Sakic, GM of the Colorado Avalanche / USA TODAY Sports

The Colorado Avalanche's 2025/26 season was one of the best of any team in recent memory. But in the postseason, the team came up short when they reached the Western Conference Finals against the Vegas Golden Knights.

This off-season, the team worked hard to offload some contracts, and with a solid draft that saw them add two players with immense potential, this is a team that's once again looking very positive heading into the new season. One piece of business they still must conduct, however, revolves around superstar defenseman Cale Makar, who is heading toward unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2027. With all the speculation around his future, General Manager Joe Sakic has now opened up about the situation.

Joe Sakic Reveals Confidence in Long-Term Deal With Cale Makar

Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

While other fanbases would love the opportunity for their team to land Makar in free agency next summer, the Avalanche have remained insistent that a deal will get done, and given what No. 8 has meant to the franchise over the past decade, it's clear that they want him to retire as a member of the Avalanche.

However, a long-term deal has yet to be worked out, for the reasons for that right now being unknown, but during his latest interview, GM and President of Hockey Operations Joe Sakic has now reiterated his confidence in a long-term deal being done before the 2026/27 season begins.

I’m pretty confident Makar will be signed before the season starts.

- Joe Sakic

🗣️ Joe Sakic

“I’m pretty confident [Makar] will be signed before the season starts”#GoAvsGo | @RefiJet pic.twitter.com/iX3cmdk0Fc

— Guerilla Sports (@guerillasports) August 23, 2026

This isn't the first time Sakic has expressed confidence in a long-term deal with Makar, but with the maximum term on a deal going down to seven years as of September 16th, if they want to give him an eight-year deal, it needs to get done in the next few weeks.

Will Cale Makar get a Full Eight-Year Deal Done for Cale Makar?

Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Back in the 2017 NHL Draft, the Avalanche took a risk on Makar at No. 4 overall, but from the moment he arrived in the NHL, he proved to the entire organization that the gamble was more than worth it. Across the following seven years, Makar led the team to the 2022 Stanley Cup while winning two Norris Trophies and being named an All-Star six times, posting an incredible 507 points across 471 games.

As a result, he's earned the right to ask for the biggest contract in NHL history from a defenseman, and with the maximum allowable AAV now going beyond $20 million, there's been some speculation that he could become the highest-paid player in the league.

Whether that happens, only time will tell. But clearly, there's mutual interest between the two parties in getting a deal done, and given how confident Sakic is in the situation, expect a resolution one way or another ahead of the 2026/27 regular season.