NHL contract grades: Cale Makar hits $20 million, and who can fault the Avalanche?

The two-time Norris Trophy winner is now the highest-paid player in NHL history.

There’s a new biggest contract in NHL history — again. Avalanche superstar Cale Makar agreed to an eight-year, $163.2 million contract extension on Friday, the team announced. The deal carries a $20.4 million average annual value and will make the two-time Norris Trophy winner the highest-paid player in league history

Cale Makar and the Colorado Avalanche agreed to a $163.2 million, eight-year extension on Friday that will make him the highest paid player in league history

Makar just became the NHL's first $20 million player Aug 28, 2026 at 6:10 pm ET • 2 min read This has been the summer of spending in the NHL, and the Colorado Avalanche just broke the bank for star defenseman Cale Makar. On Friday, the team announced that Makar signed an eight-year extension worth $163.2 million.The co

The Colorado Avalanche signed Cale Makar to a $163.2 million extension, making him the highest-paid player in NHL history, his agency said Friday.

Cale Makar and the Colorado Avalanche agreed to a US$163.2 million, eight-year extension on Friday that will make him the highest paid player in league history.

Avalanche D Cale Makar becomes NHL's first $20M player in massive deal  USA Today

Avs defenseman Makar signs $163.2M, 8-year extension, making him highest paid player in NHL history  Toronto Star

Avalanche's Makar agrees to record deal worth $20.4 annually  ESPN

Makar is one of 14 NHL players ever to have won multiple Norris Trophies as the league's top defenseman.