On Friday, Cale Makar’s agency revealed that the defenseman has committed to an eight-year contract extension with the Colorado Avalanche valued at $163.2 million. This agreement carries an annual average value of $20.4 million.
According to hockey insider Frank Seravalli, Makar makes history as the inaugural NHL player to secure a contract with a yearly salary surpassing the $20 million threshold.
The blueliner is currently in the last season of his previous six-year, $54 million contract finalized back in July 2021. Without this new agreement, he would have hit unrestricted free agency next off-season.
By finalizing the agreement at this juncture, both Makar and Colorado were able to lock in an eight-year term. Under the league’s upcoming CBA scheduled to launch on Sept. 15, the upper limit for contract duration will be restricted to seven years.
Colorado validated the signing by sharing a video message from Makar, who expressed immense enthusiasm about committing his long-term future to the franchise.
Now 27, Makar is preparing for his eighth season in the NHL, spending his entire career thus far in Colorado. Since making his debut in the 2019 postseason, the former UMass standout has captured the Calder Trophy, earned four selections to the NHL First All-Star Team, secured a pair of Norris Trophies as the top defenseman in the league, and guided the franchise to a Stanley Cup championship in 2022, capturing the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in the process.
He joins Hall of Fame legend Bobby Orr as one of just two defensemen to be named a Norris Trophy finalist a minimum of six times over their opening seven campaigns. Additionally, Makar is part of an elite group of only 14 blueliners in league history to claim the award multiple times.
The Calgary-born defenseman has put together an impressive international resume as well. He represented Canada in securing gold medals at both the 2018 World Junior Championship and the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, while also earning a silver medal during the 2026 Winter Olympic Games.
Throughout his seven-year NHL tenure, Makar has hit the 20-goal milestone on four occasions and registered at least 90 points in two separate seasons. He has already established himself as the franchise’s highest-scoring defenseman in history, leading in goals (136), assists (371), and overall points (507).
