Cale Makar just signed a massive $163.2 million, eight-year extension through the 2034-35 season, and yeah, it’s officially kicking in next season. This deal makes him the highest-paid player in NHL history, hands down. That’s a lot of cheddar, and it screams high expectations for the two-time Norris Trophy winner. We’re talking more insane stats, more highlight reel plays, and most importantly, deep Stanley Cup runs.
Highest Paid Player Ever: No Big Deal, Right?
Makar, at just 27 years old, is now the league’s first player to sign for more than $20 million a season, specifically $20.4 million in 2027-28. Think he’s shaking in his skates about it? Nah. He’s already calling his shot, predicting that figure won’t stand for long. He’s looking at guys like Edmonton’s Connor McDavid or Toronto’s Auston Matthews, who are up for extensions next summer. And his own teammate, Nathan MacKinnon? Makar cracked, “I fully expect Nate to even double what this is right now.” Talk about throwing down a gauntlet! This guy clearly isn’t fazed, saying, “I’m a guy that just puts a lot of pressure on myself to do well year in, year out. It’s going to make me even push myself a little bit more.” The dude’s already stacked up four 20-goal seasons, and last season he dropped 20 goals and 59 assists. He’s got that dog in him.
Superstars Or Bust: Sakic’s High-Stakes Wager
So, what does that kind of cash mean for the Avalanche? Makar’s new salary is going to eat up roughly 18% of the projected salary cap in 2027-28. And that’s before you even factor in MacKinnon’s $12.6 million cap hit and Martin Necas’ $11.5 million in the same season. That’s a lot of money tied up in a few guys. Is it too top-heavy? Hall of Famer and now front-office exec Joe Sakic isn’t worried. He straight-up said, “You can’t win without superstars. Yeah, you need depth. You need your team playing really well at the right time. … Unless you have guys like Cale and Nate on your team, it makes it a lot harder.” He’s not wrong. We all saw what happened in the Western Conference Final when Makar missed the first two games with an upper-body injury. The Avs got swept by the Vegas Golden Knights, even with Makar clearly not at full strength for the final two games. Sakic was blunt, saying, “You need your stars to be on the ice for you, and you need them to play well. … That definitely hurt. I mean, it’s a big reason why we were 0-2, and a big reason why we lost the series.” This deal is the Avs doubling down on their championship window.
Makar’s new contract is a massive statement, not just for him but for the entire league. The Avs clearly believe he’s worth every penny, and they’re ready to chase that Cup with their core. Sakic mentioned how Makar and MacKinnon “created such a great culture” in the dressing room. Makar himself feels “a sense of excitement brewing around the team,” and a “chance at redemption.” You know the Avalanche are fired up for what’s ahead, and with their biggest star locked up, every game from here on out is about proving this bet pays off big time.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply