Business & Finance
Colorado Avalanche sign Cale Makar to record 8-year, $163.2 million extension
The deal makes Makar the highest-paid player in NHL history by annual contract value beginning in 2027.
The short version
- Defenseman Cale Makar agreed to an eight-year, $163.2 million contract extension with the Colorado Avalanche.
- The contract features an average annual value of $20.4 million, making it the richest deal in NHL history.
- The extension takes effect in the 2027-28 season and runs through the 2034-35 season.
- Makar is expected to be fully ready for training camp following an upper-body injury that sidelined him late last season.
Key facts
- Cale Makar signed an eight-year, $163.2 million extension with the Colorado Avalanche through the 2034-35 season.[Associated Press]
- The extension carries an annual average value of $20.4 million starting in the 2027-28 season, setting a record for the highest-paid player in NHL history.[Associated Press]
- Makar's contract surpasses Kirill Kaprizov's $136 million total value contract and Macklin Celebrini's $18.8 million annual average value extension.[Associated Press]
- Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic traded Valeri Nichushkin to the Columbus Blue Jackets to clear salary cap space for Makar's extension.[Associated Press]
- Makar recorded 20 goals and 59 assists last season and finished second in voting for the Norris Trophy.[Associated Press]