The Avalanche had a chance to land a prospect that could have reshaped their roster trajectory, but the opportunity slipped through their fingers in 2020. Front offices live and die by draft decisions made years earlier, and this one still stings in Denver. Looking back at what could have been offers a window into how thin the margins are between building a contender and missing on generational talent.

Cale Makar's next deal is shaping up to be one of the offseason's most consequential negotiations, and the numbers being discussed could reset the market for elite defensemen across the league. DeBrincat continues to be undervalued in trade conversations despite his consistent production, while Bjorkstrand's upcoming season looms as a critical test of whether he can stay healthy and productive.

Cale Makar is entering negotiations that could fundamentally reshape how the NHL values elite defensemen and potentially reset the league's entire salary structure. The Avalanche superstar has the leverage and the resume to demand historic money, and every team watching knows the precedent he sets will ripple through the market. This isn't just about one player's paycheck - it's about what the next generation of franchise cornerstones will demand when their time comes.