Cale Makar has signed an eight-year, $163.2 million contract extension with the Colorado Avalanche. Announced on Friday, the record-breaking deal carries an average annual value of $20.4 million, making the defenseman the first player in NHL history to surpass the $20 million annual salary threshold.
The Colorado Avalanche locked down their franchise cornerstone on Friday, securing star defenseman Cale Makar to an eight-year, $163.2 million extension. The landmark agreement carries an average annual value (AAV) of $20.4 million, establishing Makar as the first player in NHL history to command an average annual salary of at least $20 million.
Makar was entering the final season of a six-year, $54 million contract he signed in July 2021 and was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. By finalizing the extension now, the Avalanche guarantee they retain the 27-year-old through his prime years.
Contract Records and the Changing NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement Landscape
The timing of the negotiation carried substantial strategic weight.
Makar’s $20.4 million AAV comfortably eclipses the previous benchmark set by San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini, who signed a five-year, $94 million contract featuring an $18.8 million AAV on July 29, as noted by NHL.com.
Financial projections indicate the salary cap will continue to climb. The upper limit for the 2027-28 season—when Makar’s new extension formally begins—is projected to rise to $113.5 million.
Franchise History and an Unprecedented Resume in Colorado
Selected fourth overall by Colorado in the 2017 NHL Draft, Makar has rapidly cemented his status among the greatest blue-liners to ever play the game. Over his seven NHL seasons, all played with the Avalanche and Quebec Nordiques franchise, he has accumulated 136 goals, 371 assists, and 507 points across 470 regular-season games.
Last season, Makar finished third among league defensemen with 79 points across 75 games, notching 20 goals and 59 assists. That performance marked his third season scoring at least 20 goals, making him the first defenseman to achieve that feat since Phil Housley and Al MacInnis accomplished it in 1992.
“I am so excited and humbled to continue to wear the Avalanche sweater and represent this incredible organization and community.”
Cale Makar, via NHL.com
Avalanche president of hockey operations and general manager Joe Sakic expressed immense satisfaction in securing the franchise pillar for the long term.
“Cale is a generational defenseman and his accomplishments speak for themselves. He is obviously a tremendous competitor and player but even more so a great person, teammate and ambassador for the Avalanche and the Rocky Mountain region. We are beyond thrilled to get this deal done and have Cale in an Avalanche sweater for the next decade.”
Joe Sakic, Avalanche president of hockey operations/general manager, via NHL.com
Looking Ahead to Training Camp and the Opener
The defensive star is returning from an upper-body injury sustained during the Western Conference Second Round against the Minnesota Wild last postseason. That injury forced him to miss the first two games of the West Final against the Vegas Golden Knights, where the Avalanche were ultimately swept.
Despite those postseason health hurdles, Sakic expressed complete confidence in the health of the club heading into the autumn schedule. Sakic told reporters that he expects a fully healthy lineup when training camp opens next month, noting, As of right now I have no concerns. Everyone should come into camp healthy.
The Avalanche are scheduled to officially open their regular season against the Los Angeles Kings at Ball Arena on Sept. 30.
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