August 28, 2026 • 9:02 PM EDT
Updated 10 days ago
This is the moment Avalanche fans have been buzzing about: Cale Makar just landed the first $20 million per year deal in NHL history. The Avalanche defenseman’s eight-year, $163.2 million extension isn’t just a headline grabber. It locks in the league’s most electric blueliner and signals Colorado’s full commitment to building around a once-in-a-generation talent.
Makar’s new contract sets a record for average annual value, hitting $20.4 million per season. No one else in league history has breached the $20 million mark, so you’re watching NHL salary history unfold. Why the rush? After September 15, NHL rules cap contracts at 7 years for re-signings and 6 for new teams. The Avalanche got ahead of the curve, tying up their franchise cornerstone for the maximum before the window shut.
That means Colorado’s got nine more seasons with Makar under contract—he won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. Per Yahoo Sports, this deal is more than just a headline; it recalibrates the market for top-tier defensemen and keeps Colorado in the top contender bracket for the next decade.
So, is paying Makar $20 million a year good value in today’s NHL? Absolutely—and here’s why. Makar’s resume already puts him among the greats. He’s a two-time Norris Trophy winner, a six-year top-three finalist since his rookie year, and was the fourth-fastest defenseman ever to hit the 500-point mark. That’s rarefied air; the only blueliners ahead of him are all Hall of Famers.
Consider his production: over a point per game across the regular season, plus 90 points in 90 playoff tilts. That playoff dominance led Colorado to the Stanley Cup in 2022, where he picked up playoff MVP honors. The Avalanche’s collapse in the 2026 Western Conference finals, when Makar missed two games with injury, just underlined how critical he is to the roster.
Makar isn’t just a stat machine; he’s the anchor of a defense that’s elite across the board. He and Devon Toews form what’s arguably the NHL’s best defensive pairing, and both are signed well into the next decade—Makar through 2034-35, Toews through 2030-31.
On offense, Colorado’s locked up forwards Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas until 2031. That means the Avalanche have their leading talent set for their prime years, giving you plenty of reasons to believe in Colorado’s window staying open.
Here’s why the contract is actually a smart financial move too. While Makar’s cap hit is huge, it’s just under the max allowed: only 18 percent of the team’s soon-to-rise $113.5 million cap. As the cap moves up, his contract looks like less of a squeeze—leaving room to keep depth pieces or chase another star. He’s 27 now and has stayed healthy besides one season, so there’s every reason to think he’ll still be at the top of his game for most of this deal.
- Makar becomes the NHL’s first player with a $20 million-per-year contract.
- Colorado ties up its star defenseman for nine more seasons, maximizing the contract window before rules change.
- He remains under contract through 2034-35, with teammates Toews, MacKinnon, and Necas also locked in long-term.
- Makar’s per-year hit is under 20 percent of the salary cap and cap increases will make the deal more manageable.
- Makar’s health and playoff production justify the extension as a bet on both talent and durability.
Why Cale Makar’s Record Contract Matters to the Avalanche
This contract isn’t just a reward for past heroics. It’s a bet on Makar powering Colorado’s Cup hopes into the 2030s. His rare skill set gives the Avalanche a unique advantage most other contenders can’t replicate. For bettors, this move signals Colorado’s confidence in staying competitive year after year, with a nucleus most teams would envy.
How the Cap Helps Colorado Build Around Its Stars
Some deals strangle a team’s flexibility. This one, given the climbing salary cap, won’t. Makar’s cap hit stays below the max threshold, giving GM options to add pieces without getting boxed in. As other clubs adjust to the rising market, Colorado’s planning ahead so there’s less risk of needing to trade future picks or prospects just to stay under the cap.
Key Takeaways for Bettors
- Makar’s contract makes Avalanche futures more attractive; Colorado’s top core is locked up for years.
- Salary cap increase softens the blow of a massive contract, so Avalanche won’t need to gut the roster.
- Makar’s playoff and regular season consistency increases Colorado’s “floor” even if injuries hit elsewhere.
- Nine years of control means Avalanche remain long-term contenders in the Western Conference.
- The deal sets a new NHL salary ceiling; watch for ripple effects as other stars negotiate next summer.
- Locking up Makar now means Colorado avoids a bidding war under more restrictive contract limits.
- Bettors should track any developments in cap growth and injury trends for Avalanche star players.
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