Cale Makar and the Colorado Avalanche have reached an agreement on an eight-year contract extension valued at $163.2 million US, establishing him as the highest-paid player in NHL history. Bartlett Hockey, Makar’s agency, confirmed the terms of the deal, which will be the most lucrative in NHL history, surpassing the eight-year, $136 million contract inked by Minnesota forward Kirill Kaprizov in September last year. The extension locks Makar in until the 2034-35 season, with an annual average value of $20.4 million starting in the 2027-28 season, eclipsing the contract of San Jose Sharks’ star Macklin Celebrini, who signed a five-year, $94 million extension in late July with an $18.8 million average annual value (AAV).
Makar, a 27-year-old Calgary native, expressed his enthusiasm for continuing his journey with the Avalanche in Denver in a social media post by the team, describing it as a historic day and looking forward to another fantastic nine years. Makar’s exceptional performance in the previous season included 20 goals and 59 assists, leading to his second-place finish in the Norris Trophy race behind Columbus’ Zach Werenski. The extension sets a new benchmark for fellow elite defensemen Quinn Hughes and Werenski.
The Avalanche’s management, led by president of hockey operations/general manager Joe Sakic, prioritized securing Makar’s services long-term this off-season, emphasizing his commitment to finishing his career in Colorado. Makar, drafted fourth overall in 2017 from the University of Massachusetts, is expected to be fully prepared for the upcoming training camp despite sustaining an upper-body injury that limited his participation in the Western Conference final against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Sakic’s active off-season also involved maneuvering deals, such as sending Valeri Nichushkin to the Blue Jackets for draft picks to facilitate Makar’s extension negotiations. Makar’s prolific career achievements, including four 20-goal seasons and reaching his 500th NHL point in his 467th game, highlight his status as a generational defenseman. Alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog, Makar was instrumental in the Avalanche’s 2022 Stanley Cup victory, where he claimed the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoffs’ MVP.
In a statement, Sakic praised Makar as a remarkable competitor, player, and person, expressing the organization’s delight in securing Makar for the next decade. Makar’s commitment to Colorado is further underscored by his brother, Taylor Makar, who recently signed a two-year deal with the Avalanche, solidifying their presence as the first siblings to play in the same NHL game for the team. Makar reiterated his gratitude for Colorado as a second home and his eagerness to resume pursuing the Stanley Cup with his teammates in the Mile High City.
