Makar lands record $163.2M deal with Colorado
Cale Makar has agreed to an eight-year, $163.2 million contract extension with the Colorado Avalanche, setting new NHL records for total value and average annual value. The 27-year-old defenseman, a two-time Norris Trophy winner and Stanley Cup champion, recorded 20 goals and 79 points in 75 games last season. The extension begins after the final year of his current six-year, $9 million AAV deal.
Makar's extension resets the NHL's financial ceiling for defensemen, surpassing the previous benchmarks set by elite forwards. His current six-year deal at $9 million annually was already considered team-friendly, making this new pact a reward for production that includes a 30-goal season in 2024-25 — a feat no blueliner had achieved in over 15 years. Colorado's commitment locks in their franchise cornerstone through his age-35 season.
The defenseman's playoff history adds context to the deal's timing. After missing the first two games of the Western Conference final due to injury, Colorado was swept by Vegas, ending a season where they claimed the Presidents' Trophy. Makar's 2021-22 postseason — 29 points in 20 games en route to the Stanley Cup — remains the standard the organization expects him to approach annually.
This contract may reshape how NHL teams value elite defensemen, potentially driving up salary expectations for comparable players in future negotiations. For Colorado fans, the deal signals sustained contention, though the cap hit could constrain roster depth around Makar. Younger players entering extension talks may reference this benchmark, while smaller-market teams could face increased pressure to retain star talent. The record-setting figure also underscores hockey's growing revenue base, reflecting broader league financial health that ultimately benefits players across the salary spectrum.