Extend Makar<\/p>\n
This one is pretty self-explanatory. Despite having Nathan MacKinnon<\/a> and Martin Necas<\/a> up front, there\u2019s little hope for Colorado\u2019s long-term outlook if Cale Makar<\/a> departs in free agency next summer. A Norris Trophy finalist for the past six seasons, Makar\u2019s six-year, $54MM contract will expire after the 2026-27 campaign.<\/p>\n As of now, the Avalanche have a projected $37.75MM available for the 2027-28 offseason, assuming the upper limit of the salary cap reaches $113.5MM. Still, that number is projected after Colorado has made any moves this offseason. Additionally, if Makar signs for $17MM, that leaves approximately $20MM to either retain or acquire 10 additional players.<\/p>\n Although that will leave the team in a bind, it\u2019s difficult to argue that it isn\u2019t worth it. Through the first seven years of his career, Makar has scored 136 goals and 507 points in 470 games, averaging nearly 25 minutes of ice time per game. If he were to keep that production up over a 20-year career, even if he were to maintain his 88% availability due to injuries, Makar would finish only a few points behind Ray Bourque<\/a> as the highest-scoring defenseman of all time.<\/p>\n Hire A New Powerplay Coach<\/p>\n If the Avalanche were bad at anything this season, it was the powerplay. After struggling last postseason, Colorado had hoped that Dave Hakstol<\/a> would be the answer, but that didn\u2019t turn out to be the case.<\/p>\n Despite being able to deploy the likes of MacKinnon, Necas, Makar, etc, the Avalanche finished 27th in the league with a man advantage, converting only 17.11% of opportunities. It increased slightly during the postseason, rising to 20.56%, but it didn\u2019t make much difference for them in the end. For what it\u2019s worth, Colorado did finish with a higher powerplay percentage in the playoffs than the Carolina Hurricanes or Vegas Golden Knights.<\/p>\n Obviously, Colorado already has all the talent you could want for two powerplay units, so their biggest change will likely come to the coaching staff to resolve the issue. Especially as they commit to a rebuild, the Avalanche could look to poach David Quinn<\/a> from the New York Rangers, who managed to have one of the worst teams in the NHL with the fifth-best powerplay.<\/p>\n Additionally, Colorado could target an old friend. Many of the rumblings coming out of Detroit have been about notable players being traded from the Red Wings this offseason. However, assistant coach Alex Tanguay<\/a> has consistently helped the Red Wings have one of the better power plays in the NHL throughout the last few years, and would be a huge asset to the Avalanche\u2019s coaching staff. Depending on how much the Red Wings tear it down this offseason, Tanguay may welcome an opportunity to win.<\/p>\n Target Defensive Depth<\/p>\n Heading into the offseason, the Avalanche have approximately $7MM in cap space to work with and only four defensemen signed through next season. Inarguably, their top three are set with Makar, Devon Toews<\/a>, and Sam Malinski<\/a>. Still, Colorado is set to lose Brent Burns<\/a>, Brett Kulak<\/a>, Jack Ahcan<\/a>, and Nick Blankenburg<\/a> to the open market next season.<\/p>\n Josh Manson<\/a>, who is also signed through next season, is a far trickier defenseman to evaluate. He had the second-best offensive season of his career with five goals and 31 points in 79 games. Still, 19 of his points came via secondary assists, meaning he only had a primary impact on 12 points throughout the entire campaign, on the league\u2019s best team. He remains very physical, but may be better-suited as a really good option for the bottom-pairing rather than a mainstay in the top four.<\/p>\n Regardless, given their deployment the past two years, the Avalanche have no qualms about playing either Malinski or Manson on their off-side, giving Colorado plenty of options to pick from. Given their cap situation, the Avalanche could target presumably cheap defensive talent such as Ian Cole<\/a> or Erik Gudbranson<\/a>. They can provide low-risk opportunities to former higher-end prospects like Adam Boqvist<\/a> and Ville Heinola<\/a>, both of whom are expected to enter the open market soon.<\/p>\n Trade Nichushkin Or Lehkonen<\/p>\n This may be a tougher pill to swallow for an Avalanche fan base that has grown accustomed to elite talent in the top six. Carrying on from the salary cap outlook, incorporating an expensive Makar extension, it\u2019s likely that somebody expensive will have to be moved as a consequence.<\/p>\n Yesterday, Sportsnet\u2019s Elliotte Friedman reported<\/a> that Colorado was including Valeri Nichushkin<\/a>, and his $6.125MM salary through the 2029-30 season, in trade talks, with additional flexibility in mind. Given that he\u2019s signed through the next four seasons, the Avalanche could conceivably move Nichushkin for defensive depth, hitting two birds with one stone. He has struggled with injuries over the past few years, but is a big winger who can be a force to play against in the playoffs.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/USATSI_28452368-200x300.jpg\")
<\/a>It wouldn\u2019t be surprising if he did, but the Avalanche shouldn\u2019t have any expectation that Makar will take a pay cut for his next deal. If he\u2019s seeking the biggest deal possible, his floor will inevitably be Kirill Kaprizov<\/a>\u2018s eight-year, $136MM extension signed with the Minnesota Wild. Colorado should plan to have between $17MM and $20MM in cap space next year to ensure it can secure Makar for the long term.<\/p>\n