The NHL’s first $20 million man is a defenseman

Cale Makar became the NHL’s first $20 million man on Friday. The Colorado Avalanche defenseman signed an eight-year, $163.2 million extension that starts next season, with an average annual value of $20.4 million. NHL.com calls it the richest contract in league history, ahead of Kirill Kaprizov’s eight-year, $136 million deal and Macklin Celebrini’s $18.8 million AAV.

Makar, 27, had been eligible to sign since July 1. Avalanche president Joe Sakic had said he wanted a deal before training camp. Last season Makar had 79 points (20 goals, 59 assists) in 75 games and finished second in Norris Trophy voting. He is a two-time Norris winner (2022, 2025) and the Conn Smythe winner from Colorado’s 2022 Stanley Cup run. He is already the franchise leader among Avalanche and Nordiques defensemen in goals, assists, and points.

The contract resets the market for elite defensemen. Minnesota’s Quinn Hughes is in the last year of a $7.85 million AAV deal. The NHL salary cap is $104 million this season and is projected to keep climbing. Other blueliners will bargain against that new number.

“Colorado has truly become a second home,” Makar said. Sakic called him a generational defenseman. Training camp is next month. The Avalanche open Sept. 30 against the Kings.