Avalanche D Cale Makar Becomes Nhl's First $20m Player In Massive Deal

The Colorado Avalanche have locked defenseman Cale Makar in for the long term at a record-setting price.

The team announced on Friday, Aug. 28 that it signed the two-time Norris Trophy winner to an eight-year extension. His representative, Bartlett Hockey, posted that the deal is worth $163.2 million, with an annual cap hit of $20.4 million.

That will make Makar, 27, the highest-paid player in the NHL when the deal kicks in during the 2027-28 season. He's the league's first $20 million player and passes the $18.8 million average annual value in the extension signed by San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini.

The contract also blows away the $12.5 million average that former Avalanche teammate Bowen Byram, now with the Chicago Blackhawks, had received as the highest-paid defenseman.

Here's a look at the contract of Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar:

A historic day ???? pic.twitter.com/trOBwCd8EH

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) August 28, 2026

Cale Makar contract details

He'll make $163.2 million in the extension, which breaks the $136 million deal signed by Minnesota Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov. He also becomes the first NHL player to average $20 million.

Makar has one year left on his six-year, $54 million contract. The new contract will expire in 2034-35.

The #GoAvsGo Cale Makar 8 year $20.4M Cap Hit Extension

Yr 1-3 $4M Base & 16.8M Signing Bonus
Yr 4 $12.8M & $8M SB
Yr 5 $4M & $16.8M SB
Yr 6 $3M & $16.8M SB
Yr 7 $2.8M & $16.8M SB
Yr 8 $1M & $18.8M SB

No Move Clause

Rep'd by @BartlettHockey

The $20.4M Cap Hit is just short…

— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) August 28, 2026

Cale Makar stats

Makar won the Norris Trophy as outstanding defenseman in 2022 and 2025 and has been a finalist the past six seasons. He was rookie of the year in 2019-20, plus won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP during the Avalanche's 2022 Stanley Cup run.

He has hit the 20-goal mark four times, including 30 goals in 2024-25. Makar has 136 goals and 507 points in 470 regular-season games.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Avalanche D Cale Makar becomes NHL's first $20M player in massive deal