Cale Makar and the Colorado Avalanche have reached a significant milestone by agreeing to an eight-year contract extension valued at $163.2 million USD, setting a new record as the highest-paid player in NHL history. The deal was confirmed by Makar’s agency, Bartlett Hockey. This extension surpasses the previous record contract of $136 million signed by Minnesota’s Kirill Kaprizov in September. Makar’s contract will run through the 2034-35 season, marking it as the richest in NHL history.
With an annual average value (AAV) of $20.4 million starting in the 2027-28 season, Makar’s contract surpasses that of San Jose Sharks’ Macklin Celebrini, who signed a five-year, $94 million extension with an $18.8 million AAV. This groundbreaking deal for Makar could potentially set a new benchmark as other standout players like Connor McDavid from Edmonton and Auston Matthews from Toronto become eligible for extensions next year.
Expressing his excitement, Makar stated in a social media video shared by the team that he is thrilled to continue his journey with the Avalanche in Denver, hailing it as a historic day and looking forward to the next nine years.
In the previous season, the 27-year-old Makar showcased his prowess with 20 goals and 59 assists, finishing second in Norris Trophy voting behind Zach Werenski of Columbus for the league’s top defenseman award. Makar, a two-time Norris Trophy winner, had a cap hit of $9 million last season after signing a six-year, $54 million contract in 2021. This new deal for Makar sets a new standard for other top defensemen like Quinn Hughes and Werenski.
The Avalanche’s president of hockey operations/general manager, Joe Sakic, made securing Makar’s long-term services a top priority this off-season, affirming that Makar would remain with the team for his entire career. Makar, drafted fourth overall in 2017 from the University of Massachusetts, is expected to be fully ready for training camp according to Sakic.
In preparation for Makar’s new deal taking effect in the 2027-28 season, when the salary cap is projected to be $113.5 million, the team will allocate approximately 18% of the cap space to Makar, who plays a pivotal role in their Cup-ready roster. Sakic orchestrated various moves during the off-season, such as trading Valeri Nichushkin to the Blue Jackets for draft picks to facilitate Makar’s extension negotiations.
Sakic praised Makar as a generational defenseman and a remarkable competitor both on and off the ice, expressing the team’s elation in securing Makar for the next decade. Makar’s illustrious career includes four 20-goal seasons, making him one of only 12 defensemen in NHL history to achieve this feat. He reached his 500th NHL point in his 467th game, becoming the fourth-fastest defenseman to achieve this milestone after legends like Bobby Orr, Paul Coffey, and Denis Potvin.
Teaming up with Nathan MacKinnon and captain Gabriel Landeskog, Makar played a vital role in leading the Avalanche to a Stanley Cup victory in 2022. During the championship run, Makar contributed eight goals and 29 points, earning the prestigious Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoffs’ MVP. Furthermore, Makar’s younger brother, Taylor, also signed a two-year contract extension with the Avalanche until the 2027-28 season, marking a unique moment in NHL history as the siblings became the first to play in the same game for the Avalanche.
Emphasizing his gratitude for Colorado as a second home, Makar expressed his eagerness to hit the ice with his teammates and strive towards bringing the Stanley Cup back to Denver, known as the Mile High City.