The biggest NHL News today starts in Colorado, where the Avalanche appear to be getting very close to completing one of the most important contracts in franchise history.
Sportsnet reported Thursday morning that the Avalanche are closing in on a contract extension with Cale Makar, potentially removing one of the biggest questions hanging over the 2026-27 season before training camp even begins. Nothing has been officially signed or announced yet, so the distinction matters, but the direction of the negotiations is becoming much clearer. Makar is entering the final season of his six-year, $54-million contract after producing 20 goals and 79 points in 75 games last season.
Meanwhile, Edmonton suddenly has an early-season problem. Frederik Andersen, Matt Savoie, Mattias Janmark and Alec Regula are all expected to miss Oilers training camp, creating questions about Edmonton’s goaltending depth, penalty kill and opening-night roster.
And the rumor mill is moving again in Vancouver, where Jake DeBrusk’s potential trade value is becoming an intriguing storyline to follow as the Canucks prepare for another season.
Latest NHL News and Rumors for August 27, 2026
Cale Makar Contract Could Reshape the NHL Defenseman Market
Makar is the clear headline.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that Colorado and its superstar defenseman are closing in on an extension. Makar is only 27, has already won two Norris Trophies and has now been a Norris finalist six consecutive seasons. His next contract isn’t simply important for Colorado – it could establish a new benchmark for elite NHL defensemen.
Makar currently carries a $9 million cap hit and is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2026-27 season. PuckPedia lists him with 136 goals and 507 points through 470 career NHL games, an incredible 1.08 points per game for a defenseman.
My read: Colorado cannot afford to get cute here. Whatever the final AAV looks like, replacing a player who controls games the way Makar does would be virtually impossible. The Avalanche aren’t negotiating for another top-pair defenseman; they’re negotiating with one of the handful of players around whom an entire championship window can be built.
There is also an important update to an earlier report. NHL.com listed Colorado as confident Makar would sign a new contract earlier this week, and Friedman’s Thursday update substantially strengthens that outlook, although an official extension still needs to be announced before it can be considered complete.
What the Oilers Injuries Mean for the Salary Cap
Edmonton officially announced that Andersen, Savoie, Janmark and Regula will not participate when training camp opens. Andersen and Savoie were hurt during offseason training, while Janmark and Regula continue recovering from medical procedures.
Andersen is obviously the name that jumps off the page. Edmonton signed the 36-year-old after he went 13-2 with a 1.89 goals-against average during Carolina’s Stanley Cup run. The idea was to bring championship-calibre stability to a position that has repeatedly created questions in Edmonton.
A report by TSN’s Ryan Rishaug as indicating Andersen and Savoie are expected back sometime in October. That’s encouraging compared with a long-term absence, but it still leaves Edmonton potentially starting the season without two players who were supposed to hold meaningful roles.
Here is the current cap picture I would be watching:
PuckPedia’s current Edmonton projection lists a $104 million cap ceiling, approximately $102.07 million projected cap hit, $1.93 million in current space and a 22-player projected roster. Those figures can change quickly as injury designations and roster moves are processed.
My preference would be patience. Unless Andersen’s prognosis changes, burning significant cap space on a temporary replacement could solve a September problem while creating a February one.
Jake DeBrusk Trade Rumors Deserve Another Look
Another fascinating piece of today’s NHL rumor cycle surrounds Jake DeBrusk.
DeBrusk scored 23 goals and 42 points in 81 games last season, but his even-strength finishing collapsed. The Athletic analysis summarized by Spector’s Hockey noted that DeBrusk scored only three five-on-five goals on 121 shots, a 2.48 percent shooting percentage.
That is exactly why I would be careful about selling low.
DeBrusk has a $5.5 million cap hit through 2030-31, although his contract currently includes a no-movement clause. Any trade this season would therefore require his cooperation.
I built the following NHLTradeRumor.com Trade Value Index using production (30%), contract/control (25%), age and upside (15%), market fit (20%) and trade flexibility (10%). It is an editorial model, not a reported NHL asking price.
The Canucks may get considerably more leverage by letting DeBrusk play. If the five-on-five numbers rebound while he continues producing around the net, the conversation changes from Vancouver trying to unload a contract to contenders asking what it will take to acquire a proven playoff-style winger.
Gavin McKenna Could Step Right Into the Maple Leafs Lineup
Toronto also generated fresh NHL News Thursday.
NHL.com’s latest Maple Leafs prospect breakdown believes 2026 first-overall pick Gavin McKenna could immediately challenge for a major NHL role, potentially becoming a playmaker alongside Auston Matthews. McKenna recorded 15 goals and 51 points in 35 NCAA games with Penn State last season after producing 129 points with Medicine Hat the year before.
Toronto finished last in the Atlantic Division last season and dramatically reshaped its hockey operations department and roster. The arrival of McKenna makes this one of the most interesting Maple Leafs camps in years.
My observation is that Toronto shouldn’t protect McKenna simply because he’s 18. If he proves in September that he can process NHL pressure and create offense next to elite players, put him in the lineup. Talent this dynamic can change the trajectory of a team much faster than expected.
One additional NHL News item worth tracking: the league has announced 172 nationally televised U.S. games for 2026-27 across TNT Sports and ESPN platforms, beginning with the Sept. 29 opening-night tripleheader.
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