In late March or mid-April, Avalanche top-prospect Cale Makar is bound to sign his NHL entry-level contract to conclude his stellar two-year career at the University of Massachusetts. The question is, will Colorado’s 2017 first-round draft pick (fourth overall) make his NHL debut in the regular season or playoffs?
Assuming, that is, the Avs, who are clingling to the last wild-card spot, make the playoffs.
Makar is tied as college hockey’s second-highest-scoring defenseman (29 points, nine goals) and has helped second-ranked UMass (19-5) build one of the most successful seasons in program history. Makar serves as an alternate captain and is the Minutemen’s second-leading scorer on a team seemingly destined to make just its second NCAA Tournament appearance, and first since 2007.