Canadian defenseman Cale Makar has signed a new contract with the Colorado Avalanche, according to the NHL club’s website.
The new eight-year agreement with the player will take effect next season.
As reported by journalist Elliotte Friedman on X, Makar will become the first NHL player with an annual salary exceeding $20 million. With an average annual value of $20.4 million, the total value of the Canadian’s new contract will be $163.2 million.
Makar, 27, was selected fourth overall by Colorado in the 2017 NHL Draft. He won the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie following the 2019–20 season. He is a Stanley Cup champion (2022) and has won the James Norris Memorial Trophy (best defenseman) and the Conn Smythe Trophy (playoff MVP). Representing Team Canada, Makar won the 2018 World Junior Championship and a silver medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
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