The Colorado Avalanche find themselves in a tricky situation regarding their contracts. Despite trading away Mikko Rantanen during the season, they are projected to have only $8.7 million in cap space for the 2025-26 NHL season. Although cost-effective contracts are fairly common in the NHL, there are several factors the team needs to consider.
One major issue is determining which of their free agents to re-sign. Players like Jonathan Drouin, Brock Nelson, Jimmy Vesey, Joel Kiviranta, Erik Johnson, and Ryan Lindgren are all hitting the market. With limited cap space, retaining Nelson seems unlikely. The Avalanche may choose to bring back Lindgren and Johnson, but the player they’re most likely to prioritize is Kiviranta, who impressed with increased ice time this season.
Cale Makar remains under contract for the next two years with an average annual value (AAV) of $9 million. While it’s hard to picture him leaving the team once his contract expires, nothing is certain in the NHL. A modest raise in a potential extension seems likely, especially if it remains cap-friendly.
While adding top-tier talent could be beneficial, especially for a team in a Stanley Cup window like Colorado, the main problem is their financial constraints. With just $8.7 million available and seven players heading into unrestricted free agency, the team has little flexibility to take on a large contract—unless they move one of their high-salaried players. The highest-paid players currently include Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Devon Toews, and Gabriel Landeskog. Even with a rising salary cap, Colorado doesn’t have much spending power.
This brings us to why the Avalanche should avoid pursuing Mitch Marner.
Despite the inevitable trade rumors, especially at this time of year, Marner is a poor fit for Colorado’s current cap situation. The Maple Leafs winger is an appealing player—just 28 years old with the ability to contribute roughly 30 goals a season. However, he’s only hit that mark twice in his nine seasons.
Marner has been earning $10.9 million annually since 2020-21 and will likely seek a similar number in his next contract. That kind of cap hit is simply not manageable for Colorado at the moment. Unless Marner were to accept a short-term, budget-friendly deal—which seems highly unlikely—the Avalanche can’t afford him.
Beyond financials, Marner has yet to win a Stanley Cup or earn major individual awards like the Hart Trophy. While he was recently nominated for the King Clancy Trophy, it’s based on leadership and humanitarian contributions, not on-ice performance. His playoff record is also concerning: 13 goals in 70 games, despite 50 assists. For a player with a high price tag, that level of production isn’t enough.
Instead, the Avalanche should focus on acquiring under-the-radar talent with lower salary demands. While it doesn’t guarantee a championship, it’s a more sustainable approach than investing heavily in high-priced stars. That strategy hasn’t worked for the Maple Leafs—and it probably won’t work for Colorado either.