Cale Makar and the Colorado Avalanche have reached an agreement on an eight-year contract extension valued at $163.2 million US, making him the highest-paid player in NHL history. The deal was confirmed by his agency, Bartlett Hockey. This extension, running through the 2034-35 season, surpasses the previous record set by Minnesota’s Kirill Kaprizov with an eight-year, $136 million deal signed last year.
Makar’s new contract, with an annual average value of $20.4 million starting in 2027-28, exceeds the previous top defenseman contract held by San Jose Sharks’ Macklin Celebrini, who signed a five-year, $94 million extension with an $18.8 million AAV. The record-setting deal for Makar could set a new benchmark as other top players like Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews become eligible for extensions next year.
Expressing his excitement, Makar stated in a social media post that he looks forward to continuing his journey with the Avalanche in Denver, calling it a historic day and hoping for another successful nine years ahead. The 27-year-old defenseman is coming off a stellar season with 20 goals and 59 assists, finishing second in Norris Trophy voting to Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Makar has won the Norris Trophy twice in his career.
President of hockey operations/general manager Joe Sakic emphasized the importance of securing Makar long-term, stating that the defenseman is set to finish his career in Colorado. Drafted fourth overall in 2017, Makar has been a key player for the Avalanche. The team is projected to have a salary cap of $113.5 million in 2027-28 when Makar’s new deal kicks in, with him taking up approximately 18% of the cap space for the Cup-ready roster.
Despite an injury in the Western Conference final last season, Makar is expected to be ready for the upcoming training camp. Sakic, who has been active in managing the team during the offseason, orchestrated deals to create space for Makar’s extension, including the trade of Valeri Nichushkin to the Blue Jackets for draft picks.
In a statement, Sakic praised Makar as a generational talent on and off the ice, expressing the team’s excitement to have him in an Avalanche jersey for the next decade. Makar’s impressive career includes multiple 20-goal seasons and reaching his 500th NHL point in his 467th game, ranking him among the fastest defensemen in history to achieve this milestone.
Together with Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog, Makar played a pivotal role in Colorado’s Stanley Cup victory in 2022, earning the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoffs’ MVP. His younger brother, Taylor Makar, also signed a contract with the Avalanche, marking a unique moment where siblings played in the same game for the team.
Looking ahead, Makar expressed gratitude for Colorado becoming a second home and his eagerness to hit the ice with his teammates to pursue their shared goal of bringing the Stanley Cup back to the Mile High City.