Nathan MacKinnon Sees Avalanche Contracts Surge
Nathan MacKinnon's teammate Cale Makar is set to sign a new contract, with Joe Sakic stating Makar isn't going anywhere.
The negotiations will have a huge impact on the team's attempt to construct a Stanley Cup-contending roster.
Makar is one of the best players in the world, and his next contract will be a significant factor in the team's financial landscape.
Nathan MacKinnon started his eight-year, $100.8 million contract in 2023-24, with a cap ceiling of $83.5 million, which is $29.5 million less than the expected cap ceiling for 2027-28.
The salary cap surge will make it difficult to project new deals for Makar and Artturi Lehkonen.
Erik Karlsson and Drew Doughty signed contracts of $11 million or more, but no other defenseman has signed a contract as a pending UFA in a long time.
Makar and Quinn Hughes will reset the top of the defense market, with Makar's contract expected to have a significant impact on the team's roster construction.
The Avalanche will start talks on extensions in mid-July, with the goal of signing Makar and Lehkonen to new contracts before the start of the 2027-28 season.
On 30 Jun 2026, the Denver Post reported that the Avalanche's salary cap situation will be a major factor in the team's ability to sign Makar and Lehkonen to new contracts.
The team's management, led by Joe Sakic, will have to navigate the new financial landscape to construct a competitive roster.
And with the salary cap surging, the Avalanche will have to make tough decisions about which players to sign and how much to pay them.
But one thing is certain: Nathan MacKinnon's teammates will be watching closely as the contract negotiations unfold.
So what can we expect from the Avalanche's contract negotiations?
The team will likely prioritize signing Makar to a new contract, given his importance to the team's success.
The Avalanche will start talks on extensions in mid-July, with the goal of signing Makar and Lehkonen to new contracts before the start of the 2027-28 season.
The team's management will have to balance the need to sign key players with the need to manage the salary cap.
On 30 Jun 2026, the NHL announced that the salary cap ceiling for 2027-28 will be $113 million, a significant increase from the previous year.
This increase will give the Avalanche more flexibility to sign players, but it will also increase the pressure to make smart financial decisions.
The Avalanche's contract negotiations will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike, as the team tries to build a competitive roster for the 2027-28 season.