CALGARY, Alberta — The Avalanche will attempt to signal University of Massachusetts sophomore defenseman Cale Makar immediately after Saturday’s NCAA championship game in Buffalo, the group said, but it’s unknown if the 2019 Hobey Baker Award winner will make his NHL debut in Game 3 against the Calgary Flames at the Pepsi Center.

Makar, 20, will burn the first year of his three-year, entry-level contract by playing one game with the Avs, and given Colorado’s depth at defense, it might opt to signal the player but not play him to preserve the initial year of his contract. The Avs probably would use an seven-defensemen lineup if Makar joins the fold.

“Right now I’m concerned about the guys in the room and the game tonight,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said after Saturday’s Game two morning skate at the Scotiabank Saddledome. “Yeah, I’m sure it’s a possibility (Makar joins the group Sunday). I don’t understand. But that’s a better question for (general manager) Joe (Sakic). ”

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In accordance with Sakic’s spokesman, “the staff will attempt to come to an agreement with (Makar) as soon as possible after tonight’s game. ”

UMass faces defending NCAA champion Minnesota-Duluth in Saturday’s national championship game (6 p.m. MT, ESPN). Makar helped the Minutemen conquer the University of Denver 4-3 in overtime Thursday in the Frozen Four semifinals.

Makar won the Hobey Baker Award on Friday in Buffalo. He ranks second nationally in NCAA scoring with 49 points (16 goals) and first among defensemen.

Bednar was asked about Makar — the Avs’ 2017 first-round draft pick (fourth overall) — for the second time in his mid-day media conference.

“It’s reassuring — it s reassuring for us, knowing that it s a possibility that he can come join us,” Bednar said. “It’s great to see him have success because I think success breeds success. He had and I think he made the Hobey Baker and obviously, everyone else felt the exact same way. ”

Footnotes. The Avs on Saturday night will use the exact same lineup from Game 1’s 4-0 loss to Calgary, and goalie Philipp Grubauer will start in net. The nutritious scratches will be forward Sven Andrighetto, defensemen Mark Barberio and Ryan Graves and goalie Joe Cannata. … Calgary also isn’t changing its lineup, with Mike Smith again beginning in goal.

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