The Colorado Avalanche are keeping it in the family. Taylor Makar, the younger brother of superstar defenseman Cale Makar, signed a two-year contract extension Monday worth $1.75 million. It’s a two-way deal in year one that flips to a one-way contract in year two, with an average annual value of $875,000 through the 2027-28 season.
Taylor Makar just wrapped his first full pro season. He turned pro in March 2025 after four years of college hockey, split between UMass and Maine. The 25-year-old winger scored his first professional goal three weeks after signing and even got a cup of coffee in the NHL.
First NHL Action, Then a Playoff Run
Makar made his NHL debut on Nov. 1 against San Jose. He ended up playing 12 games for Colorado, averaging just over six minutes of ice time. No points. Even plus-minus. He was one of only two Avs players to appear in more than five games without scoring — the other was goalie Mackenzie Blackwood. Not the flashiest start, but the team clearly sees something worth investing in.
Most of his season was spent with the AHL’s Colorado Eagles. There, he put up 14 goals and 10 assists for 24 points in 52 games. That ranked sixth on the team in goals and tied for 10th in scoring. Among Colorado rookies in the AHL, he led in both goals and points. Then came the Calder Cup Playoffs, where the Eagles made a run to the Western Conference Final for the first time ever. Makar played all 17 postseason games, adding two goals and four assists.
The Brother Factor
Taylor skated alongside Cale in all 12 of his NHL appearances. That made them the first siblings to play together for the Avalanche since the franchise left Quebec. The only other brothers to do it in Colorado history? Anton, Peter and Marian Stastny. So it’s a small, exclusive club.
Before turning pro, Makar spent three seasons at UMass before transferring to Maine for his senior year. That’s where he really broke out. He tied for the team lead in goals with 18, finished second in scoring with 30 points, and led the Black Bears with six game-winning goals. He also scored twice in the Hockey East Championship game to help Maine win the title.
The Avs drafted Taylor in the seventh round, 220th overall, back in 2021. Now he’s got two more years to prove he can stick in the NHL full-time. The organization is betting on development here, not immediate impact. And yeah, having his Norris Trophy-winning brother around probably doesn’t hurt either.
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