The Colorado Avalanche are not hesitating with top prospect Cale Makar. The 20-year old defenseman will make his NHL debut tonight for the team, replacing the injured Samuel Girard. Makar will be paired with Patrik Nemeth, though he may be moved around a bit as he gets his footing at the NHL level.
Makar only just signed his entry-level contract with the Avalanche on Sunday, but will jump right into a series with the Calgary Flames that is tied at one game apiece. It just so happens that Makar is a Calgary native, though he’ll make his debut on home ice in Colorado.
Just by signing his deal for this season Makar had burned the first year of his three-year contract, but playing tonight has further consequences. As Bob McKenzie of TSN noted when the young defenseman signed yesterday, playing in just a single game for the Avalanche will make Makar eligible for the 2021 expansion draft. While that shouldn’t overshadow what is sure to be an incredible night for the top prospect, it certainly had to come into consideration for the Colorado front office who will have plenty of decisions to make ahead of that draft.
The Avalanche already have several defensemen that will deserve protection but also will be required to use one of their slots on veteran Erik Johnson given his no-movement clause. There are ways around a clause like that, but it could force the Avalanche to make a move prior to the draft instead. Either way, Makar making his debut tonight has complicated things and hopefully it will be worth it as the Avalanche try to fell a giant in the Western Conference bracket.
Absolute fools by playing him.
When there is another lockout,remember situations like this.
You almost wonder if Pierre is advising Joey on crap like this…
Just dumb all the way around IMO…
These NCAA kids have all the leverage. Maybe he was threatening to stay and go the possible FA route….we won’t know, but this year seems especially busy for signing NCAA players to immediate contracts. Not sure this part will be easy to figure out for the next negotiations….but IMO if you are drafted you should have to sign with the team that drafted you (even if it is for 1 year).
I dont think its a big deal as its made out to be. RFAs never leave. A mid level player leaving to expansion is a given at this point.
True but one player will be exposed that didn’t need to be and this player will have one less year of control over what could be 3 games. I’d rather he rests up and then get those 3 full seasons out of him.
You all look foolish he scored in his first game and it was the game winning goal. Colorado now leads the series !
Game winning goal in a blowout. He had a nice debut no doubt, but still not worth the repercussions on salary and roster issues.
Polish…a Gwg goal still is a Gwg no matter the score . Who cares it’s about winning a cup!