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Avalanche Extends Cale Makar at $20.4M AAV

8/29/2026

20 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Makar Secures Record Deal

Colorado Avalanche signed defenseman Cale Makar to an eight-year, $163.2 million extension.
The $20.4 million average annual value makes Makar the NHL’s highest-paid player.
It is the first NHL contract to guarantee at least $20 million per season.
Makar’s new deal, starting 2027-28 through 2034-35, more than doubles his prior $9 million cap hit.
He posted 20 goals and 79 points in 75 games and finished second in Norris Trophy voting.

Summary

Hughes Extension

Quinn Hughes' pending extension will be benchmarked against Cale Makar’s $20.4 M average annual value.
The NHL salary cap is projected to rise to $113.5 M next season, raising teams’ AAV pressures.
Minnesota Wild’s trade for Hughes, costing four first-round picks, forces a deal before July 1.
Analysts say defensemen Lane Hutson, Thomas Harley and Jackson LaCombe will base contracts on Makar’s $20.4 M precedent.

History

Historical Context

The 2004-05 lockout forced the NHL, under Commissioner Gary Bettman, to adopt a hard $39 million team salary cap for the 2005-06 season. Since then the cap has risen to $81.5 million, allowing contracts such as defenseman Cale Makar’s 2024 extension with the Colorado Avalanche at a $20.4 million average annual value—more than double the original ceiling and prompting the Minnesota Wild to use it as a benchmark.

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Makar Secures Record Deal

Colorado Avalanche signed defenseman Cale Makar to an eight-year, $163.2 million extension.
The $20.4 million average annual value makes Makar the NHL’s highest-paid player.
It is the first NHL contract to guarantee at least $20 million per season.
Makar’s new deal, starting 2027-28 through 2034-35, more than doubles his prior $9 million cap hit.
He posted 20 goals and 79 points in 75 games and finished second in Norris Trophy voting.

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