Cale Makar has inked a groundbreaking eight-year contract extension with the Colorado Avalanche, securing a record-setting deal worth $163.2 million US. This agreement, confirmed by his agency Bartlett Hockey, positions Makar as the highest-paid player in NHL history. The extension surpasses the previous NHL record set by Kirill Kaprizov of the Minnesota Wild with an eight-year, $136 million contract. Makar’s new deal spans until the 2034-35 season, boasting an annual average value of $20.4 million starting from the 2027-28 season, eclipsing the contract of San Jose Sharks’ Macklin Celebrini, who signed a five-year, $94 million extension with an $18.8 million AAV. Makar’s historic contract is expected to influence future extensions for top players like Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers and Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Makar stated in a social media video released by the team, “I couldn’t be more excited to continue my journey here with the Avalanche in this amazing city of Denver,” marking the day as historic and looking forward to another successful nine years ahead. The 27-year-old defenseman’s exceptional performance last season, including 20 goals and 59 assists, positioned him as a runner-up to Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets for the Norris Trophy, an honor bestowed upon the league’s top defenseman. Makar has clinched the Norris Trophy twice in his career.
President of hockey operations and general manager Joe Sakic highlighted the importance of securing Makar’s long-term commitment to the team during this off-season, emphasizing that Makar’s career will be with the Colorado Avalanche. Selected fourth overall in the 2017 draft from the University of Massachusetts, Makar’s new contract sets the bar for fellow standout defensemen such as Quinn Hughes and Werenski. The salary cap is anticipated to be $113.5 million in the 2027-28 season when Makar’s contract takes effect, with his share estimated to be around 18% of the team’s cap space.
Despite facing an upper-body injury in the Western Conference final against the Vegas Golden Knights, Makar is expected to be fully prepared for the upcoming training camp. Sakic, who has recently resumed the role of general manager, orchestrated various deals, including sending Valeri Nichushkin to the Blue Jackets to create room for negotiating Makar’s extension. Makar’s exceptional career milestones include four 20-goal seasons and reaching his 500th NHL point in his 467th game, making him the fourth-fastest defenseman in league history to achieve this feat, following legends like Bobby Orr, Paul Coffey, and Denis Potvin.
The core trio of Makar, Nathan MacKinnon, and captain Gabriel Landeskog played a pivotal role in the Avalanche’s Stanley Cup victory in 2022, where Makar’s outstanding performance earned him the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoffs’ MVP. In a significant family moment, Makar’s younger brother, Taylor, signed a two-year contract with the Avalanche, aligning their NHL careers. Makar expressed gratitude for Colorado becoming their second home and shared his eagerness to hit the ice with his teammates to pursue the common goal of bringing the Stanley Cup back to the Mile High City.