Cale Makar and the Colorado Avalanche have reached an agreement on an eight-year contract extension valued at $163.2 million US, setting a new record as the highest-paid player in NHL history. The terms of the deal were confirmed by Makar’s agency, Bartlett Hockey. This extension surpasses the previous high of $136 million held by Minnesota’s Kirill Kaprizov and will run through the 2034-35 season.
Makar’s contract, with an annual average value of $20.4 million starting in the 2027-28 season, exceeds the recent deal signed by San Jose Sharks’ Macklin Celebrini, who agreed to a five-year, $94 million extension with an $18.8 million AAV. The record-setting deal for Makar could potentially impact upcoming extensions for top players like Edmonton’s Connor McDavid and Toronto’s Auston Matthews.
Expressing his excitement, Makar stated in a social media video released by the team that he is thrilled to continue his journey with the Avalanche in Denver, calling it a historic day and looking forward to the next nine years of success.
The 27-year-old Makar, following a remarkable season with 20 goals and 59 assists, finished second in the Norris Trophy voting behind Zach Werenski of Columbus, who claimed the title of the league’s top defenseman. Makar, a two-time Norris Trophy winner, had a cap hit of $9 million for the previous season under a six-year, $54 million contract signed in 2021. His new deal now sets a benchmark for fellow standout defensemen Quinn Hughes and Werenski.
President of hockey operations/general manager Joe Sakic prioritized securing Makar’s long-term services this offseason, affirming that Makar would conclude his career in Colorado. The team, having drafted Makar fourth overall in 2017 from the University of Massachusetts, is keen on his continued contribution to their Cup-ready roster.
Makar, despite nursing an upper-body injury ahead of the Western Conference final where the Avalanche were eliminated by the Vegas Golden Knights, is expected to be ready for the upcoming training camp. Sakic, who resumed his role as the general manager, orchestrated various deals during the offseason, including sending Valeri Nichushkin to the Blue Jackets to facilitate Makar’s extension negotiations.
Sakic praised Makar as a generational talent, highlighting his exceptional skills on and off the ice, expressing enthusiasm for having Makar with the Avalanche for the next decade. Makar’s impressive career achievements, including multiple 20-goal seasons and reaching his 500th NHL point in record time, underscore his status among the league’s elite defensemen.
The core trio of Makar, Nathan MacKinnon, and captain Gabriel Landeskog played a pivotal role in Colorado’s Stanley Cup victory in 2022, where Makar’s performance earned him the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoffs’ MVP. Additionally, Makar’s younger brother, Taylor, signed a two-year contract with the Avalanche, marking a unique moment as the first siblings to play in the same NHL game for the team.
Reflecting on their time in Colorado, Cale Makar expressed gratitude for the opportunity and the camaraderie within the team, eagerly anticipating the upcoming season and striving towards their collective goal of bringing the Stanley Cup back to Denver.