“Nepotism at its finest!”: Colorado Avalanche face nepotism accusations after signing Taylor Makar to entry-level contract

The Colorado Avalanche made headlines on Monday by signing Taylor Makar, the younger brother of star defenseman Cale Makar, to a one-year entry-level contract. While Taylor will begin his professional career in the AHL with the Colorado Eagles, the move has sparked debate among hockey fans, with many questioning whether his signing was driven by talent or family ties.Taylor Makar, 24, was a seventh-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. He recently wrapped up his senior season at the University of Maine, where he posted an impressive 30 points (18 goals, 12 assists) in 38 games. His college career ended with a 5–1 loss to Penn State in the NCAA tournament, eliminating Maine from the Frozen Four. Despite this setback, the Avalanche saw potential in him, offering him a chance to prove himself at the professional level.Meanwhile, his older brother, Cale Makar, remains one of the NHL’s elite defensemen, leading all blueliners with 85 points in 75 games this season. His presence in Colorado makes the signing even more scrutinized.As soon as the Avalanche announced the signing on social media, fans were quick to question whether Taylor Makar’s family connection played a role in his contract. Many users on X (formerly Twitter) posted sarcastic or skeptical comments.“Any relation?” asked @PooseUnpooses, while @gohabsgo69010 echoed, “Is that Cale’s brother?” These responses were soon followed by more direct accusations. “Nepotism at its finest!” wrote @fksambennett. Another fan, @Matapumo, simply stated, “Nepotism is craaaaazy.”Some even speculated that Cale Makar had a direct hand in his brother’s signing. “Nice of Cale to make this happen…” wrote @srasuchak, while @nzamora86 noted, “Should be helpful having his brother so close to him.”While skepticism is natural, Taylor Makar’s stats show he has potential. Although he was not a high draft pick, his college performance demonstrated strong offensive skills. Whether he can transition successfully to professional hockey remains to be seen.Also Read: Who Is Taylor Makar? Cale Makar’s younger brother gears up for his NHL debut with the Colorado Avalanche after stellar college careerFor now, the Avalanche are giving him the chance to prove himself at the AHL level, and only time will tell if Taylor Makar can carve out his own legacy—or if his critics were right all along.