The Colorado Eagles are going to look very different this upcoming season. With 11 free agents choosing to move on from the club, it was important that the Colorado Avalanche start investing in its youth. The Avs extending Taylor Makar’s contract for two additional years is one way that they can show it. His extension was not because he shares the same last name as his older brother Cale; it is because he earned it. Taylor still has more to achieve and he might have a breakout season this upcoming year.
Last season
Last season, in Makar’s first full season in the pros, he did a lot better than expected. He was used in every role from the penalty kill to the power play. His 14 goals and 10 assists led all rookies on the Eagles. His ability to adapt during games became his greatest asset. Makar would find the weakness on the edge of the defense and go on the rush for an opportunity. It usually led to the Eagles getting a scoring chance or starting pressure in the zone. The biggest problem that the Maine Black Bear had was taking penalties. Makar had 56 penalty minutes in 52 games in the AHL. Most of them were at the worst time of the game for the Eagles. Now former head coach Mark Letestu mentioned it was Makar’s one weakness. That he needed to learn to control his stick and his massive size.
This coming season
Makar impressed the Avalanche with a call-up last season and played in 12 NHL games. So much so that he is one player named by Jared Bednar who will get ample chances this upcoming season. Makar showed drastic improvement during his opportunity with the Avalanche, coming very close to a goal frequently. Makar’s learning experience in the AHL and the NHL will come in handy this coming season. He will be less hesitant, allowing his play to be more of a second nature. Chances are very high that the power forward could see top-six minutes while playing in Loveland and hopefully increased minutes on the bottom-six in Denver. If we put these factors together, Makar could see his first point in an Avalanche sweater and his first 20-goal season in his career.
Taylor has done a lot to distance himself in the way he plays his game from the way Cale does. Fans should not hold him to the same expectations as they do his older brother. I think Taylor could morph into a long-lasting bottom-six forward that can kill penalties and hit the offense off the puck. He may not take the same path as Cale did, but they will end up on the same bench once again this season.
