Cale Makar’s new contract sent shockwaves across the entire NHL. On Friday, the Colorado Avalanche announced they locked up their star defenseman with a record-breaking eight-year deal that pays a staggering $20.4 million AAV, making him the highest-paid player in league history. Yeah, you read that right. And if you think that’s wild, imagine what it means for Quinn Hughes and his contract talks with Minnesota.
Makar Sets the Bar High
This isn’t just big money, this is *historic* money. Makar’s monstrous $20.4 million average annual value over eight years is now the gold standard for elite defensemen. It is the benchmark. Every single negotiation for top-tier blueliners from here on out will be looking at this deal as the new floor. For Quinn Hughes, who is widely considered one of the absolute best defensemen in the league alongside Makar, this contract is a game-changer. His agent has to be all over this, knowing the price just went way, way up.
Hughes’ Standoff Gets Real
Let’s be real, Hughes’ situation with the Wild was already complicated. He is heading into the final year of a six-year deal he signed with Vancouver back in 2021, worth $7.8 million AAV. Negotiations have been grinding all summer with seemingly little movement, even after Hughes told Twin Cities media in May he would “definitely be open to re-signing” after their playoff exit. League insider Elliotte Friedman hit it right on the head earlier this week, wondering if both Hughes and Makar were “looking to see who will go first.” Well, Makar went first, and he set a new universe of expectations.
Now, it’s not just about the money, but the term too. Wild owner Craig Leipold said the organization would “like to go as long as we could” with Hughes. But the word on the street, and something Leipold himself noted, is that Hughes “probably want it to be a little shorter,” around three years. That would apparently line up with his brother Jack’s contract in New Jersey, with the idea of them both hitting free agency together in 2030. Talk about a power play!
The Clock Is Absolutely Screaming Now
So, what is left for Hughes and Wild GM Bill Guerin? Agreeing on the term. But the clock is ticking louder than ever. We’re staring down a September 15 deadline for an eight-year extension. After that, a new CBA kicks in, limiting future deals to seven years. Makar’s deal just dropped a bomb on the market, forcing the issue. All eyes are on Minnesota now. Can Guerin and Hughes get this done before the deadline? Every single day without a new deal for Hughes feels like a win for Hughes, and a loss for the Wild’s flexibility. This is going to be one wild finish for the summer, mark my words.
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.
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