On the day qualifying offers were due for Restricted Free Agents, the Colorado Avalanche bypassed the process by inking Taylor Makar to a two-year contract extension beginning the 2026-27 season with an $875k cap hit at the NHL level.
This is a nice deal for the younger Makar after only one year of pro hockey under his belt, with 24 points in 52 games and 12 NHL call-up games. No doubt holding arbitration rights gave the left wing some important leverage. The $300k guaranteed in year one of the deal is a significant raise on the $80k paid in the minors on his Entry Level Contract. The most significant portion of the extension is the bump up to $900k on a one-way deal for the 2027-28 season, a sizable investment by the Avalanche. Once this deal expires, Makar will be 27 years old and an Unrestricted Free Agent.
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In other Restricted Free Agent news, reports are that forward Daniil Gushchin did not receive a qualifying offer after his one-year stint with the organization. It’s safe to assume that after the Avalanche traded for another winger in Fabian Lysell, he was extended a qualifying offer. With no arbitration rights afforded to Lysell, there isn’t a firm deadline to get him under contract, but it likely won’t be a difficult negotiation.
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