Cale Makar and the Colorado Avalanche have reached a significant agreement with an eight-year contract extension valued at $163.2 million US, establishing him as the highest-paid player in NHL history. The deal was confirmed by his agency, Bartlett Hockey. Makar’s extension marks the wealthiest in NHL history, surpassing the previous record set by Minnesota’s Kirill Kaprizov last September with an eight-year, $136 million deal. The contract extends through the 2034-35 season, with an annual average value of $20.4 million starting in 2027-28, surpassing San Jose Sharks’ Macklin Celebrini’s recent $18.8 million AAV contract.
This groundbreaking deal for Makar could set the stage for even higher limits with Edmonton’s Connor McDavid and Toronto’s Auston Matthews potentially eligible for extensions next summer. Makar expressed his excitement about continuing his journey with the Avalanche in Denver, calling it a historic day and looking forward to the next nine years.
The 27-year-old Makar had an impressive season, recording 20 goals and 59 assists. Despite finishing second in Norris Trophy voting to Zach Werenski, he has won the award twice in his career. His previous contract was a six-year, $54 million deal in 2021, with a $9 million cap hit last season.
Securing Makar’s long-term services was a top priority for Colorado’s president of hockey operations/general manager Joe Sakic, who emphasized that Makar was committed to finishing his career with the team. The salary cap is anticipated to be $113.5 million when Makar’s new deal starts in 2027-28, with him occupying around 18% of the cap space for a team with championship aspirations.
Makar, who was injured heading into the Western Conference final against the Vegas Golden Knights, is expected to be ready for training camp. The Avalanche’s busy off-season included Sakic orchestrating several deals, like sending Valeri Nichushkin to the Blue Jackets for draft picks to facilitate Makar’s extension.
Sakic praised Makar as a generational defenseman and expressed the team’s excitement to have him for the next decade. Makar’s remarkable career achievements include 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, ranking as the fourth-fastest defenseman to achieve this feat.
The core trio of Makar, Nathan MacKinnon, and Gabriel Landeskog played a pivotal role in Colorado winning the Stanley Cup in 2022. Makar’s younger brother, Taylor, also signed a contract with the Avalanche, making them the first siblings to play in the same game for the team. Makar expressed gratitude for Colorado becoming a second home and his eagerness to strive for another Stanley Cup victory with his teammates.