Sakic Not Worried About Cale Makar’s Ticking Contract Clock

Colorado Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic spoke with the media in Denver this weekend about the status of Cale Makar‘s contract. The defenseman needs a new deal, one which many analysts could see becoming the biggest contract in NHL history. While there’s no agreement in place yet, Sakic said he’s not worried.

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Sakic said he’s “pretty confident” a new deal for Makar will be finalized before puck drop on the regular season. Notably, he downplayed any urgency tied to the September 16 deadline — the cutoff date for Makar to sign an eight-year maximum-term extension with Colorado.

“I’m not really worried about it,” Sakic said regarding the looming date. “Whenever a deal is agreed to, both sides will be comfortable with the term.”

Some will read into Sakic’s comments and suggest the full eight-year term isn’t on the table or necessarily a sticking point in negotiations. If the defenseman is looking at four or five years, then that would be true. The September deadline is not a factor. However, if both sides want to get the longest-term deal they can get signed done, it will have to be in the next three weeks.

Sakic said that talks with Makar’s camp have been productive, adding, “Dialogue’s been great, and when there’s an agreement, we’ll gladly announce it.”

What Other Business Does Sakic Have to Take Care Of?

Beyond Makar, Sakic confirmed there’s currently “no update” on extension talks for winger Artturi Lehkonen or head coach Jared Bednar, both of whom are also working through their own contract situations with the organization.

With only a few weeks remaining before the eight-year window closes, speculation around Makar’s next contract — expected to reset the market for defensemen — continues to build. Sakic is downplaying it all, but when asked if the new deals for NHL stars has become something that factors into talks, he sarcastically responded that he hadn’t noticed those monster contracts.

There’s no panic in Denver, but the clock is ticking.

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