Joe Sakic is not sweating about Cale Makar's future.
Speaking to NHL.com in a report published Monday, the Colorado Avalanche's president of hockey operations expressed his confidence that the superstar defenceman will be inked to a new deal before the start of the 2026-27 season.
"We continue talking," said Sakic. "Pretty confident he'll be signed before the season starts. I'm not worried about it. I don't think Cale's worried about it. Dialogue has been great and when there's an agreement, we'll gladly announce it. Hopefully something will be done before the start of training camp."
Makar, 27, enters the upcoming season in the final year of a six-year, $54-million contract he signed in July 2021. He's been eligible to sign an extension since July 1.
Makar's new deal can only carry an eight-year term if he signs before Sept. 15, but after that, the NHL's new collective bargaining agreement limits the maximum length to seven years.
"Not really worried about it," Sakic said. "When there's a deal announced or signed and agreed to, both sides will be comfortable with whatever term it is."
Makar, a Calgary native, would become an unrestricted free agent after 2026-27 if left unsigned.
In 2025-26, Makar recorded 79 points in 75 regular-season games. In the previous two seasons, he recorded 90 (2023-24) and 92 points (2024-25).
A Stanley Cup champion in 2021-22, Makar is a two-time Norris Trophy winner and has also been a recipient of the Calder Trophy and Conn Smythe Trophy.
The blue-liner sustained an upper-body injury that saw him miss time during the Avalanche's run to the Western Conference Final this past post-season, but Sakic said he has "no concerns" about having a fully healthy roster at training camp next month.
Colorado is set to open its season against the Los Angeles Kings on Sept. 30.
