Breaking: Cale Makar to Miss Tonight’s Game as Wife Tracy Nears Childbirth

Colorado Avalanche superstar Cale Makar has a pretty good reason to miss a hockey game.

As first reported by Evan Rawal of The Denver Gazette, Makar will miss Tuesday night's game against the Dallas Stars as his wife, Tracy, has gone into labor and is expected to give birth at any moment to their twins.

According to The Denver Post's Corey Masisak, the Avs will move forward with 11 forwards and seven defenseman for the game. 

Makar’s absence comes as the Avalanche defenseman continues another impressive start to the season, recording three goals and four assists for seven points through five games.

The 27-year-old is one of Colorado’s most important players, serving as the centerpiece of the team’s blue line and a major contributor offensively.

Makar married Tracy in 2024, and the couple is now preparing for a major milestone off the ice as they await the arrival of their child.

The news comes amid a major period for Makar, who recently agreed to an eight-year, $163.2 million contract extension with the Avalanche. The deal carries an average annual value of $20.4 million and is set to begin in the 2027-28 season, making Makar the NHL’s highest-paid player.

Makar has established himself as one of the league’s premier defensemen since making his NHL debut in the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He has won two Norris Trophies as the NHL’s best defenseman and captured the Conn Smythe Trophy during Colorado’s 2022 Stanley Cup championship run.

For now, the Avalanche will have to manage without their top defenseman while Makar focuses on his growing family. The team has not announced how long he could be unavailable or whether he will miss additional games.

With seven points already this season, Makar’s on-ice production will be difficult to replace, but Tuesday’s absence puts family first.

Given the Avalanche play the Stars again Wednesday evening at Ball Arena, there is a possibility he may not be available for that game, either.

Head Coach Jared Bednar informed reporters that they would take monitor Makar's status day-by-day. 

Congratulations to the Makar family. Puck drop from American Airlines Center is at 6:30 pm. local time.