The Colorado Avalanche and Cale Makar have come to terms on an eight-year contract extension valued at $163.2 million US, establishing him as the highest-paid player in NHL history. Bartlett Hockey, Makar’s agency, confirmed the details of the agreement.
Makar’s new contract surpasses the previous record set by Kirill Kaprizov of the Minnesota Wild, who signed an eight-year, $136 million extension last year. This deal will keep Makar with the Avalanche until the 2034-35 season, with an annual average value of $20.4 million starting in the 2027-28 season.
The significant increase in Makar’s salary could potentially impact future contract negotiations for other top players like Connor McDavid from the Edmonton Oilers and Auston Matthews from the Toronto Maple Leafs. Makar expressed his excitement about the extension in a social media video, emphasizing his commitment to the team and the city of Denver.
During the previous season, the 27-year-old Makar delivered an impressive performance, scoring 20 goals and providing 59 assists. Despite finishing as the runner-up to Zach Werenski for the Norris Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s top defenseman, Makar has claimed the honor twice in his career.
President of hockey operations and general manager Joe Sakic prioritized securing Makar’s long-term services this off-season, affirming that Makar’s career would continue with the Avalanche. The team selected Makar as the fourth overall pick in the 2017 draft from the University of Massachusetts.
The Avalanche are preparing for Makar’s new contract to take effect when the salary cap is projected to be $113.5 million in 2027-28. Makar’s extension will consume roughly 18% of the cap space for a team aiming for a championship. Despite sustaining an upper-body injury during the Western Conference final, Makar is expected to be fully ready for the upcoming training camp.
Joe Sakic, who recently resumed the role of general manager, orchestrated several moves during the off-season, including trading Valeri Nichushkin to the Blue Jackets to create room for Makar’s extension. Makar’s exceptional performance and leadership qualities have solidified his position as a cornerstone player for the Avalanche.
With a remarkable track record of four 20-goal seasons, Makar stands out as one of the elite defensemen in NHL history. In addition, he reached his 500th NHL point in just 467 games, making him the fourth-fastest defenseman in history to achieve this milestone. Makar’s contributions alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog were instrumental in the Avalanche’s Stanley Cup victory in 2022, where he earned the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoffs’ MVP.
In a heartwarming development, Makar’s younger brother, Taylor, has also joined the Avalanche on a two-year contract. The brothers made history by playing together in a recent game, a rare occurrence in NHL sibling relationships. Makar expressed his gratitude for Colorado as a second home and his eagerness to pursue the goal of bringing the Stanley Cup back to the Mile High City with his teammates.