Record NHL contract! Colorado Avalanche star becomes league's highest-paid player
The Colorado Avalanche have officially announced a contract extension for defenceman Cale Makar. The new eight-year deal will run through the end of the 2034/35 season.
Makar's average annual salary under the new agreement will be $20.4 million. That sets a new NHL record for average annual contract value, with the Canadian becoming the first player in league history to earn more than $20 million per year on average. The previous record was held by Macklin Celebrini, who earns $18.8 million per season.
The 27-year-old Canadian remains one of the club's biggest stars after being selected fourth overall in the 2017 NHL Draft. With the Avalanche, Makar won the Stanley Cup in 2022, claimed the Norris Trophy twice and received the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the championship-winning play-offs. He was also previously named the NHL's Rookie of the Year.
"We're thrilled that we were able to get this deal done and keep Cale in an Avalanche uniform for the next decade," general manager Joe Sakic said. Makar himself stressed that he is looking forward to continuing his career with the club and hopes to lead the team to another Stanley Cup.
Jan Novak
Dailysports's expert
