Cale Makar and the Colorado Avalanche have reached a landmark agreement on a new eight-year contract extension valued at $163.2 million US. This deal positions Makar as the highest-paid player in NHL history, surpassing the previous record set by Minnesota’s Kirill Kaprizov last year. The extension, running until the 2034-35 season, boasts an annual average value (AAV) of $20.4 million starting in 2027-28, eclipsing the recent contract of San Jose Sharks’ Macklin Celebrini.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Makar shared his excitement about continuing with the Avalanche in Denver, labeling the occasion as historic. The 27-year-old defenseman’s outstanding performance in the previous season, where he tallied 20 goals and 59 assists, earned him high praise despite finishing as runner-up to Zach Werenski for the Norris Trophy.
Joe Sakic, the team’s president of hockey operations and general manager, emphasized the importance of securing Makar’s long-term commitment, affirming that Makar is destined to remain with the Avalanche. Makar, drafted fourth overall in 2017 from the University of Massachusetts, is expected to be fully fit for training camp after recovering from an upper-body injury during the Western Conference final against the Vegas Golden Knights.
In a strategic move, Sakic orchestrated several deals, including sending Valeri Nichushkin to the Blue Jackets, to facilitate Makar’s extension. Makar, a pivotal member of the Avalanche’s core alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog, played a crucial role in the team’s 2022 Stanley Cup triumph, earning the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoffs’ MVP. Additionally, Makar’s younger brother, Taylor, also secured a contract extension with the Avalanche through the 2027-28 season.
Makar’s remarkable career achievements include four 20-goal seasons and reaching his 500th NHL point in just 467 games, making him one of the fastest defensemen to achieve such a milestone in league history, following legends like Bobby Orr, Paul Coffey, and Denis Potvin.
