No team is better at keeping a secret than the Avalanche, but they couldn’t keep this one forever.
A little over 24 hours after word got out that the Avalanche and Cale Makar had agreed on a contract extension, the organization made it official the defenseman had signed an eight-year extension worth $163.2 million, his agent said, the largest deal in NHL history. Makar will carry a cap hit of $20.4 million during the eight-year deal, becoming the NHL’s first $20 million player. This new extension will kick in on July 1, 2027.
Makar is under contract for this coming season with a cap hit of $9 million. By signing an eight-year extension, he will be a member of the Avalanche until the age of 35.
“Today is an exciting day for the Avalanche organization and our wonderful fans,” said Avalanche president of hockey operations and general manager Joe Sakic said. “Cale is a generational defenseman and his accomplishments speak for themselves. He is obviously a tremendous competitor and player but even more so a great person, teammate and ambassador for the Avalanche and the Rocky Mountain region. We are beyond thrilled to get this deal done and have Cale in an Avalanche sweater for the next decade.”
The 27-year-old is widely considered to be the best defenseman in the NHL. Considering his award closet, he would be a near-lock for the Hockey Hall of Fame if he retired today. Among the awards he’s won: Hobey Baker, Calder Trophy, Conn Smythe Trophy, two Norris Trophies and a Stanley Cup ring. Makar last season became just the second defenseman in NHL history to be nominated for the Norris Trophy in six of his first seven seasons. The only other player to accomplish that was Bobby Orr.
“I am so excited and humbled to continue to wear the Avalanche sweater and represent this incredible organization and community,” Makar said in a press release. “I would like to thank the Kroenke family, Joe Sakic and the entire Avalanche organization for their commitment, trust and belief in me. I would also like to thank my wife and family for their constant support, as well as Scott, Brian and Steve Bartlett for their guidance and assistance.
“To the Avalanche fans, thank you for your continued support and for welcoming us to Colorado years ago. Colorado has truly become a second home to us, and we are so grateful to be here. I look forward to getting back on the ice with my teammates and continuing to work toward our goal of bringing the Stanley Cup back to the Mile High City.”
As previously reported by The Denver Gazette, the Avalanche and Makar’s camp came to an agreement on Wednesday night, just a few days after Sakic reiterated that he was “not worried” about negotiations. Makar is expected to meet with the media on Monday afternoon to discuss his new extension.
Makar is coming off a season in which he produced 20 goals and 79 points, becoming the first defenseman in over 30 years to hit the 20 goal mark in three consecutive seasons. The Calgary native dealt with a few injuries in the postseason, missing the first two games of the Western Conference Final. Sakic has reiterated that everyone on the roster, including Makar, will be healthy when the Avalanche report for training camp on Sept. 16.