Cale Makar’s True Value: Why the Avalanche Won’t Trade the NHL’s Best Defenseman

**Cale Makar’s $18-20 million AAV contract is non-negotiable for the Colorado Avalanche**, according to NHL insider Aarif, who dismissed trade rumors as fantasy. The defenseman’s value isn’t just in his on-ice dominance but in the franchise’s playoff dependence on him-a reality the Avs proved when Makar’s absence derailed their depth despite a cap-era record roster.**

Aarif’s response to trade speculation was blunt: *“Nope. Never. Next.”* But the deeper argument hinges on economics. First-round picks-often demanded for Makar-are overrated. The NHL’s rising cap ($114M in 2027-28) makes superstar contracts like Makar’s ($18M = **15.8% of the cap**) far more manageable than fans assume. Compare that to Nathan MacKinnon’s **$12.6M in 2023-24 (15.1% of the $83.5M cap)**-a bargain that will only improve as his contract ages.

The Avs’ **2026 playoff run** showed what happens when Makar isn’t on the ice. Even with one of the deepest lineups in cap-era history, the team struggled without him. *“You can’t replace that,”* Aarif noted. His **two-way impact**-defensive shutdowns, primary scoring-is irreplaceable. The Vegas Golden Knights’ late-season coaching change proved teams *can* pivot midseason, but no GM will gamble on losing Makar to save cap space.

The answer: **nothing**. Aarif argued most first-round picks wouldn’t cover Makar’s value. *“There aren’t enough first-rounders in the world that I’d accept for him,”* he said. The Avs’ **2026 playoff depth**-a record 15 forwards under contract-proves the cap math works. Makar’s contract isn’t a burden; it’s an investment. *“If you don’t pay him, someone else will,”* Aarif warned. *“Then you’ll spend a decade trying to replace him-and you might never find what you’re looking for.”*

The NHL’s salary cap is climbing, but sticker shock remains. Makar’s **$18M AAV** in 2027-28 will feel like a steal compared to future stars. The Avs’ **2026 playoff struggles**-despite their roster-showed the cost of not retaining elite talent. *“It’s the cost of doing business with the best defenseman in the league,”* Aarif concluded. No trade deadline will change that.