A Deal That Rewrites the Record Books
Cale Makar and the Colorado Avalanche announced an eight‑year, $163.2 million contract extension that positions the 27‑year‑old as the highest‑paid player in league history. The agreement surpasses the previous benchmark set by Kirill Kaprizov’s eight‑year, $136 million deal, and it includes an average annual value that climbs to $20.4 million beginning in the 2027‑28 season.
Makar’s new contract reflects a career built on consistent excellence. He has captured two Norris Trophies, posted four 20‑goal seasons — a feat achieved by only a dozen defensemen in NHL history — and reached the 500‑point milestone in just 467 games. The deal follows his previous six‑year, $54 million contract that carried a $9 million cap hit, and it guarantees him a $20.4 million AAV starting in 2027‑28.
General manager Joe Sakic made the extension a priority, framing it as a strategic move to preserve the Avalanche’s core. Alongside Makar, the roster features Nathan MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog and a cadre of young talent that captured the Stanley Cup in 2022. Makar contributed eight goals and 21 assists during that championship run, earning the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.
The agreement also carries personal significance. Makar, a native of Calgary, Alberta, returned from an upper‑body injury in the Western Conference Finals to help the team secure the Cup, and his younger brother Taylor recently signed a two‑year deal with the Avalanche, marking the first sibling partnership for the club since the Stastny brothers.
Beyond the immediate financial implications, the contract sets a new benchmark for future defensemen such as Quinn Hughes and Zach Werenski, who will now face heightened expectations for both performance and compensation. Makar’s deal underscores a shifting paradigm where elite defensive talent commands contracts previously reserved for top‑tier forwards.