The Colorado Avalanche and Cale Makar have reached a landmark agreement on an eight-year contract extension valued at $163.2 million US. This deal positions Makar as the highest-paid player in NHL history. Bartlett Hockey, his agency, has confirmed the contract details.
Makar’s new extension sets a new NHL record, surpassing the previous high of $136 million signed by Kirill Kaprizov of the Minnesota Wild. The contract will run through the 2034-35 season, boasting an annual average value of $20.4 million starting from the 2027-28 season. This surpasses the recent five-year, $94 million extension signed by Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks.
The significant deal for Makar could impact future contract negotiations for top players like Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers and Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs, who are eligible for extensions next year.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Makar stated in a social media video shared by the team that he is thrilled to continue his journey with the Avalanche in Denver. The 27-year-old defenseman had a remarkable season, scoring 20 goals and providing 59 assists. He narrowly missed out on the Norris Trophy, awarded to the league’s top defenseman, finishing second to Zach Werenski. Makar has previously won the Norris Trophy twice in his career.
Makar’s cap hit for the previous season was $9 million under a six-year, $54 million contract signed in 2021. This new deal now sets a benchmark for other standout defensemen like Quinn Hughes and Werenski. President of hockey operations/general manager Joe Sakic emphasized the importance of securing Makar’s long-term commitment to the Avalanche this offseason, reiterating that Makar is set to retire in Colorado. Makar was the fourth overall draft pick in 2017 from the University of Massachusetts.
The Avalanche are preparing for Makar’s new deal to begin in 2027-28, with the projected salary cap at $113.5 million. Makar’s contract will occupy approximately 18% of the team’s cap room, with several key players, including Artturi Lehkonen, Nicolas Roy, and Scott Wedgewood, becoming free agents after this season.
Despite being injured during the Western Conference final against the Vegas Golden Knights, Makar is expected to be ready for training camp, according to Sakic. The Avalanche’s offseason has been active, with Sakic orchestrating various deals, including freeing up space by trading Valeri Nichushkin to the Blue Jackets to facilitate Makar’s extension.
Sakic praised Makar as a generational defenseman and expressed his excitement about having Makar with the team for the next decade. Makar’s outstanding career includes four 20-goal seasons, making him one of only 12 defensemen in NHL history to achieve this milestone. He also reached his 500th NHL point in his 467th game, becoming the fourth-fastest defenseman to hit that mark.
The core trio of Makar, Nathan MacKinnon, and Gabriel Landeskog played a pivotal role in the Avalanche’s Stanley Cup victory in 2022. Makar’s exceptional performance during the championship run earned him the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoffs’ MVP.
Notably, Makar’s younger brother, Taylor Makar, has also signed a two-year contract with the Avalanche through the 2027-28 season. Both brothers made history by playing together for the Avalanche, a rare occurrence in NHL sibling relationships.
Expressing gratitude for Colorado as a second home, Cale Makar looks forward to reuniting with his teammates and striving towards the shared goal of bringing the Stanley Cup back to the Mile High City.