Cale Makar and the Colorado Avalanche have reached a landmark agreement on a new eight-year contract valued at $163.2 million US, making Makar the highest-paid player in NHL history. Bartlett Hockey, his agency, confirmed the contract details. This extension surpasses the previous record set by Minnesota’s Kirill Kaprizov last year, with Makar’s deal running through the 2034-35 season.
The annual average value of Makar’s contract is $20.4 million starting from the 2027-28 season, exceeding the deal of San Jose Sharks’ Macklin Celebrini, who signed a $94 million extension with a $18.8 million AAV. Makar’s historic contract could set a new benchmark for upcoming extensions for players like Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews.
Expressing his excitement, Makar stated in a social media video posted by the team that he is thrilled to continue his journey with the Avalanche in Denver, calling it a momentous day and looking forward to the next nine years. Makar, aged 27, had an impressive season with 20 goals and 59 assists, finishing second in the Norris Trophy voting to Zach Werenski. Makar, a two-time winner of the award, had a cap hit of $9 million last season under his previous $54 million contract signed in 2021.
President of hockey operations/general manager Joe Sakic prioritized securing Makar’s long-term services this off-season, emphasizing that Makar will remain with the Avalanche for his career. The team drafted Makar in 2017 as the fourth overall pick from the University of Massachusetts. When Makar’s new deal begins in 2027-28, the salary cap is projected to be $113.5 million.
Makar, who suffered an upper-body injury during the Western Conference final against the Vegas Golden Knights, is expected to be ready for the upcoming training camp. Sakic, who recently took over the role of general manager, orchestrated several deals during the off-season, including sending Valeri Nichushkin to the Blue Jackets to create space for Makar’s extension.
In a statement, Sakic praised Makar as a generational defenseman, highlighting his competitive spirit, skill, and positive impact on the Avalanche and the region. Makar’s remarkable achievements include four 20-goal seasons and reaching his 500th NHL point in his 467th career game, becoming the fourth-fastest defenseman to achieve this milestone.
Makar, along with Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog, played a crucial role in Colorado’s Stanley Cup victory in 2022. During the championship run, Makar scored eight goals and 29 points, earning the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoffs’ MVP. Notably, Makar’s younger brother, Taylor, also signed a two-year contract with the Avalanche, extending through the 2027-28 season, marking a unique moment as the first siblings to play for the same team in an NHL game.
Reflecting on his time in Colorado, Cale Makar expressed gratitude for the support and looked forward to hitting the ice with his teammates, aiming to bring the Stanley Cup back to Denver.
