3 questions facing Colorado Avalanche

NHL.com is providing in-depth roster, prospect and fantasy analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 1-Sept. 1. Today, three important questions facing the Colorado Avalanche.

1. When will Cale Makar sign?

Makar, a two-time winner of the Norris Trophy as the best defenseman in the NHL, can become an unrestricted free agent after the season. He's been eligible to sign a new contract since July 1, but president of hockey operations Joe Sakic isn't concerned.

"Cale's going to finish his career here," Sakic said in June. "I've already talked to his agent so we're confident it's going to get worked out at some point. He's got another year but this summer we expect to have him signed."

Sakic said Makar is expected to be healthy for the start of training camp in September. He's progressing in his rehabilitation from an upper-body injury sustained during the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The injury kept him out the first two games of the Western Conference Final against the Vegas Golden Knights and limited his effectiveness in the two games he did play.

2. Is the goaltending good enough? 

Scott Wedgewood and Mackenzie Blackwood won the William Jennings Trophy as the goalies that allowed the fewest goals during the regular season. Wedgewood especially was strong, with his 2.02 goals-against average and .921 save percentage that led the NHL (minimum 30 games).

Having the same defense core that allowed 26.1 shots on goal per game, tied for the fifth-fewest in the NHL last season, should help. As should a healthy Blackwood, who missed the first month of last season recovering from a lower-body injury.

"Goaltending was not an issue all year," Sakic said. "I liked the way they operated. They both played well and I expect them to be even better next year and a little stronger."

3. How does the power play get better?

The Avalanche were 27th on the power play during the regular season at 17.1 percent, a drop from 24.8 percent in 2024-25.

After that season, longtime assistant coach Ray Bennett, who had overseen the power play, was fired and replaced by Dave Hakstol. The power play was better during the playoffs at 20.6 percent, and Sakic believes a full season with Nazem Kadri will make it even better. It was 21.4 percent in 22 games after Kadri joined the Avalanche on March 6.

"Once we got 'Naz' and filled that role on the other side, it was much better after the trade deadline," Sakic said. "I thought the power play was pretty good in the first two rounds (of the playoffs), but like the rest of our entire game, it was quiet against Vegas. ... Obviously we have to be better in certain areas and that's an area we're going to be better."