In a jaw-dropping move that no one saw coming, the New York Rangers are reportedly on the verge of signing superstar defenseman Cale Makar, sending shockwaves through the NHL world just days after the team’s stunning failure to make the playoffs.
Multiple high-level sources confirm that the Rangers have been engaged in advanced negotiations with Makar’s camp, and a deal could be finalized within the next 24-48 hours. The potential signing is being described as a “franchise-altering” decision by the Rangers’ front office, who are determined to fix what was arguably their biggest weakness this past season: blue-line depth and defensive consistency.
Makar, 26, is widely considered one of the top defensemen in the world — a former Norris Trophy winner, Stanley Cup champion, and generational two-way talent. His ability to control the tempo of the game, quarterback the power play, and shut down elite forwards makes him the exact kind of player the Rangers have desperately needed.
“This is a bombshell,” said NHL Network analyst Kevin Weekes. “If Cale Makar lands on Broadway, it immediately turns the Rangers back into a Stanley Cup contender.”
While the circumstances of Makar’s sudden availability remain closely guarded, insiders suggest that the Colorado Avalanche — facing long-term cap complications and an evolving roster — may have reluctantly allowed exploratory trade or sign-and-trade talks in recent weeks. The Rangers, with both cap space and urgency after a disappointing season, swooped in aggressively.
It’s unclear what the contract terms will look like, but expectations are for a multi-year deal north of $12 million annually, potentially setting a new benchmark for elite NHL defensemen.
For the Rangers, the move signals an all-in mindset. After a promising start to the 2024-25 season, New York unraveled down the stretch due to inconsistent defensive play, injuries, and lack of blue-line depth — all of which proved costly in a stacked Eastern Conference. Adding Makar would instantly stabilize their top pairing and provide an anchor for a team loaded with offensive weapons like Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, and Adam Fox.
“We’re committed to winning,” said a team executive under condition of anonymity. “We know we fell short. This move is about raising the bar — and Cale Makar does that the moment he puts on a Rangers jersey.”
As anticipation builds, Rangers fans and hockey pundits across the league are eagerly awaiting official confirmation. If the deal goes through, it would go down as one of the boldest post-season moves in recent franchise history.
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