Story perspectives

Cale Makar Signs $163.2M Extension, NHL’s Highest-Paid

8/29/2026

Summary

Story summary

Cale Makar signed an eight-year, $163.2 million extension, making him the NHL’s highest-paid player.
The deal carries a $20.4 million average annual value, the first NHL contract above $20 million per season.
It runs through the 2034-35 season, starting in 2027-28, with a $400,000 cap-hit below the $20.8 million CBA maximum.
The extension secures Makar before the post-Sept 16 2026 CBA change that limits future contracts to seven years.

History

Historical Context

The 2005 NHL lockout, resolved by the August 2005 collective bargaining agreement, introduced a hard salary cap limiting team payrolls. Under that CBA, the Colorado Avalanche’s 2006-07 $70 million contract for defenseman Rob Blake set a then-record average of $8.75 million per season. Makar’s eight-year, $163.2 million extension, averaging $20.4 million annually, mirrors the cap-era trend of escalating elite defenseman salaries and underscores the Avalanche’s commitment to retain top talent. The deal pressures the NHL and NHLPA to revisit revenue sharing before the 2026 CBA deadline, potentially reshaping future contract structures.

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Story summary

Cale Makar signed an eight-year, $163.2 million extension, making him the NHL’s highest-paid player.
The deal carries a $20.4 million average annual value, the first NHL contract above $20 million per season.
It runs through the 2034-35 season, starting in 2027-28, with a $400,000 cap-hit below the $20.8 million CBA maximum.
The extension secures Makar before the post-Sept 16 2026 CBA change that limits future contracts to seven years.

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