Makar contract talks will carry out over summer — The Fourth Period

TORONTO, ON — As we gear up for the free agent market to open in two days, more attention is being placed on contract extensions, potential offer sheets and possible trades instead of the current UFA crop.

With the likes of Sergei Bobrovsky, Patrick Kane, Mason Marchment, Eeli Tolvanen, Mario Ferraro, Jaden Schwartz, Boone Jenner, Ilya Mikheyev and John Carlson leading this year’s UFA class, plenty of eyes are shifting to what else we may see starting July 1.

In terms of extensions, we expect Nico Hischier and the New Jersey Devils to finalize a deal in the neighborhood of five-years and $60 million, while Dan Vladar’s new five-year contract with Philadelphia Flyers should also be official on Wednesday.

Quinn Hughes and the Minnesota Wild are weighing their options. I expect an extension at some point – and owner Craig Leipold suggested a three- or five-year term when the dust settles – but we may not necessarily see it come in soon after the free agency doors swing open.

One extension we certainly will not see on Wednesday is Cale Makar’s next contract with the Colorado Avalanche.

According to two separate sources, Makar and the Avalanche have just started the dialogue on a new deal and serious negotiations have not even begun. A deal will get done, at some point, and could make Makar the highest paid player in the NHL once his extension begins, but Joe Sakic and Makar’s camp will get things rolling at some point this summer.

And no, there is zero concern from either side. It’ll get done.