​The Colorado Eagles are poised to look markedly different in the upcoming season. With 11 free agents choosing to depart, the organization and its affiliate, the Colorado Avalanche, are focusing on injecting youth into the roster. One clear signal of that commitment is the two-year contract extension given to Taylor Makar. This decision isn’t about surname affinity—though Taylor shares a name with his older brother Cale—it’s about recognizing Taylor’s proven potential and dedication.
Taylor Makar still has a lot to prove and could enjoy a breakout year. In his first full professional season, he exceeded expectations in every regard. Versatile and unafraid to take on any role, he contributed on the penalty kill, the power play, and every other situation the team faced. He finished with 14 goals and 10 assists, leading all Eagles rookies in scoring. Perhaps his most valuable asset was his adaptability; he could read the flow of a game on the fly and exploit defensive weaknesses along the edge to drive his team into the offensive zone. Those bursts often translated into scoring chances and sustained offensive pressure.
A recurring issue for Makar during that season was discipline. He tallied 56 penalty minutes over 52 AHL games, with many penalties coming at inopportune moments. That shortcoming was acknowledged by former head coach Mark Letestu, who stressed the need for Makar to curb penalties and refine his stick-work and physical approach. Despite that, his overall performance made a strong impression on the Avalanche’s organizational leadership.
Following a successful call-up, Makar appeared in 12 NHL games last season, leaving a favorable impression on head coach Jared Bednar. Bednar highlighted Makar as a player who would receive ample opportunities this coming year, and Makar’s time with the Avalanche already showed noticeable improvement. He demonstrated the capacity to generate scoring chances and came tantalizingly close to finding the back of the net during his NHL stint. The knowledge and experience gained from his time in both the AHL and the NHL should serve him well as he progresses this season. It’s reasonable to expect him to carry less hesitancy and play with a more natural rhythm, potentially stepping into top-six minutes at times while also contributing in Loveland and earning increased bottom-six opportunities in Denver. With the right development trajectory, Makar could notch his first Avalanche point and even threaten a 20-goal season in his career.
Taylor has carved out a distinct identity for himself, separating his playing style from Cale’s. It’s important for fans to adjust their expectations accordingly and recognize Taylor as a player who could become a durable bottom-six forward with two-way value—excellent on the penalty kill and capable of igniting offense off the puck. While his path may diverge from his brother’s, it’s entirely plausible that the two will share the same bench again this season, contributing to a cohesive team dynamic that benefits the organization as a whole. As the Eagles rebuild and the Avalanche lean on their young core, Taylor Makar’s development will be one of the key narratives to watch, both for his own career trajectory and for the broader effectiveness of Colorado’s prospect pipeline.