BSN exclusive: Cale Makar's coach tells why one more year in college is the right move

ANAHEIM, Calif. – A lot of Avalanche fans might be disappointed in Cale Makar’s decision to return to the University of Massachusetts-Amherst for a sophomore season. But his coach there believes it will prove the right decision for all parties – his program, Makar himself and for the Avs.

“This time next year, he’ll definitely be in the NHL,” UMass-Amherst coach Greg Carvel told BSN Denver. “He’s going to be in the league at least 12-15 years. But I honestly think he made the right decision. And this was, in the end, his decision.”

Makar, the fourth overall selection in the NHL draft by the Avs in 2017, a regular skater on Canada’s World Junior championship team as well, could have signed with the Avs by now if he and Avs management had decided it that way. With Erik Johnson out for at least six weeks, a hotshot, right-shot defenseman for a possible Avs playoff run might have looked very nice on paper.

But, sources tell BSN Denver, the Avs never seriously considered signing him for this season, for one big reason: his contract status. By signing Makar, the Avs would have burned a year off his entry-level status and potential unrestricted free-agent status, all for just a short-term fix.

Besides, Carvel indicated that another year at the NCAA level would be best for his development.

“I think he’s really going to have a big spring and summer with his conditioning. He needs to get a little stronger,” Carvel said. “He can be a little stronger on the puck, and he knows that. By getting stronger, he’s going to be harder in the corners and win more of those puck battles.”

Makar, 19, had a good, but not spectacular, freshman season at UMass-Amherst. He had five goals and 21 points in 34 games for a team that went finished below .500 (15-17-2). That was good enough, however, for Makar to be named a co-rookie-of-the-year in Hockey East. Carvel, who will return for his third season as coach of the Minutemen, still hadn’t known as late as Saturday if Makar would commit for a sophomore season. There was plenty of apprehension with him and the Minuteman program over that, but he said Makar was never pressured by the school.

“Talking with Cale, he believes this is the right thing for him. But we know he’s going to almost certainly going to Colorado after next season,” Carvel said. “I think he will develop into a dominant player in our league next year. I want to say, too, that we think Colorado management agrees with this too. It’s a credit to Joe Sakic and Craig Billington and David Oliver for the way they have been with him and us.”

Here’s the thing for the Avs too: Makar could still play for them next season. Whenever the Minutemen’s season ends next spring, he would be free to sign a contract with Colorado for possibly play late in the regular season or playoffs. It could be a win-win for the Avs; they get another year of development with their top prospect and still get him for another playoff run.

“Obviously, we’re thrilled he’s coming back with us,” Carvel said. “But we know he’ll be playing at a higher level before too long.”