Cale Makar just became the NHL's highest-paid player. The Avalanche defenseman signed an eight-year extension worth $20.4 million per year, breaking the league's previous record for average annual value.
This deal puts Makar ahead of Connor McDavid and other elite talent. He's 26 years old and locked in through his prime years with Colorado. The Avalanche made their choice clear: build around this guy.
Makar won the Norris Trophy in 2022 as the league's best defenseman. He's a generational talent on the blue line, someone who impacts every aspect of play. The team couldn't afford to lose him in free agency or watch another franchise benefit from his skillset.
The contract structure matters too. Eight years keeps him in an Avalanche uniform well into his thirties, assuming he doesn't decline. This is a franchise cornerstone investment, not a stopgap move.
Denver's front office is betting Makar's elite play justifies the money. For a team that won the Cup in 2022, keeping your best young player makes sense. The contract will test the salary cap, but that's a problem elite franchises accept.