Tag: Cale Makar

Cale Makar Signs Eight-Year, $163.2M Deal with Avalanche

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | August 29, 2026

Story Summary

The Colorado Avalanche have agreed a record-setting eight-year contract extension with superstar defenceman Cale Makar. According to Elliotte Friedman, the deal is worth $163.2 million in total, with an average annual value of $20.4 million. Makar, 27, was due to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2026-27 season; the new contract will begin in 2027-28 and will make him the highest-paid player in the NHL at that time, surpassing Macklin Celebrini’s $18.8-million annual figure. Makar called himself ” excited” to remain in Colorado and referenced a long-term future with the club in a social media video. Avalanche president of hockey operations Joe Sakic had said four days earlier he was ” pretty confident” Makar would be signed before the upcoming season.

Key Facts

Cale Makar has agreed to an eight-year extension with the Colorado Avalanche.
The contract totals $163.2 million with an average annual value (AAV) of $20.4 million.
Per the source, the new deal will begin in the 2027-28 season.
Makar was due to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of 2026-27; he is entering the final season of a six-year, $54-million deal ($9 million AAV) signed on July 24, 2021.
When the new contract begins, Makar will be the highest-paid player in the NHL, surpassing Macklin Celebrini’s $18.8-million AAV from a five-year extension signed earlier this summer.
Avalanche president of hockey operations Joe Sakic said he was “pretty confident” Makar would be signed before the upcoming season four days before this report.
Makar said in a team social video that he was excited to continue his journey with the Avalanche and referenced another lengthy stretch in Colorado.
Makar is 27 years old and a native of Calgary.
His honours include the Calder Trophy, two Norris Trophies, and the Conn Smythe Trophy as part of the Avalanche’s 2022 Stanley Cup championship.
Since his first full NHL season in 2019-20, Makar leads all defencemen in regular-season goals (136) and points (507).
In the same 2019-20 to present span, Makar has the most playoff goals (25) and ranks second in playoff points (84).
He became the ninth defenceman in NHL history to score 30 goals in a season during 2024-25 and the fifth defenceman to post back-to-back 90-point seasons by the end of that campaign.

IHM Discussion

This extension confirms the Avalanche’s intent to keep their highest-impact defender at the centre of their core for the long term. The contract’s headline numbers – eight years, $163.2 million and a $20.4 million AAV – would place Makar at the top of the league’s individual pay scale when it takes effect in 2027-28, ahead of Macklin Celebrini’s $18.8-million average. The comparison underlines the scale of Colorado’s commitment to a player whose production, awards and age support his elite standing.

Makar’s statistical case is compelling. Since 2019-20, he leads all defencemen in regular-season goals (136) and points (507), underlining his threat as both a scorer and playmaker. He also leads in playoff goals (25) over that span and ranks second in playoff points (84). A Calder Trophy, two Norris Trophies and the Conn Smythe Trophy from Colorado’s 2022 Stanley Cup run further illustrate his value to the Avalanche.

The timing matters. Makar is entering the final year of a six-year, $54-million contract that runs through 2026-27, and the extension removes uncertainty over his future beyond that season. President of hockey operations Joe Sakic had said he was “pretty confident” a deal would be completed before the upcoming season. Makar, in a team social-media video, said he was excited to continue his journey with the Avalanche and referenced several more years in Colorado.

Colorado has prioritised continuity around its defensive cornerstone. The salary figure may also become a significant reference point in future long-term negotiations for elite players.

Why It Matters

For the Avalanche, keeping Makar under a long-term contract secures one of the league’s most influential defencemen beyond 2026-27. His scoring and playmaking from the back end have been central to Colorado’s recent success. The extension removes uncertainty around his future with the club heading into the 2026-27 campaign and beyond.

League-wide, the deal’s size and duration provide a notable benchmark in player-compensation discussions. Once it begins in 2027-28, the $20.4-million AAV is set to become the league’s highest individual annual figure.

IHM Market Outlook

When the extension begins in 2027-28, its $20.4-million AAV is set to place Makar above Macklin Celebrini’s reported $18.8-million AAV. The deal provides a prominent reference point for future long-term negotiations involving elite players, particularly high-scoring defencemen, though each negotiation will carry its own circumstances.

Mini Q&A

How long is Cale Makar’s new contract?

Makar signed an eight-year contract extension with the Colorado Avalanche.

What is the total value and average annual value of the deal?

The extension is worth $163.2 million in total, with an average annual value of $20.4 million.

When does the new deal begin?

The reported new contract begins in the 2027-28 season.

Was Makar facing unrestricted free agency?

Yes. He was set to become an unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of the 2026-27 season, the final year of his current six-year, $54-million contract.

Will Makar be the highest-paid player in the NHL under this contract?

When the deal begins in 2027-28, Makar is set to become the NHL’s highest-paid player, ahead of Macklin Celebrini’s $18.8-million AAV.

What are Makar’s key career achievements cited in the report?

His honours include the Calder Trophy, two Norris Trophies and the Conn Smythe Trophy as part of Colorado’s 2022 Stanley Cup win; he has led defencemen in regular-season goals and points since 2019-20 and ranks highly in playoff scoring in the same span.

Coach Mark Comment

Securing a player of Makar’s calibre for an extended period is as much about stabilising team structure as it is about points and trophies. From a coach’s perspective, his offensive instincts from the defensive zone allow the Avalanche to run a more aggressive transition game and power play when he’s on the ice. That continuity lets the coaching staff build systems around his strengths – pinching in at the right moments, quarterbacking the power play, and initiating rushes – rather than engineering around a pending contract. It’s a strategic advantage to have an elite puck-mover signed long term.

What Comes Next

Makar will play the 2026-27 season as the final year of his existing six-year contract; the new eight-year extension is reported to begin with the 2027-28 season, at which point the $20.4-million AAV will take effect.

IHM Final View

This extension keeps the Avalanche’s defensive cornerstone in place beyond 2026-27 and puts Makar at the top of the league’s pay scale when it begins. Given his sustained production, honours and age profile, the commitment reflects his standing among the NHL’s elite. For Colorado, it is a clear statement of intent to keep its core together through the next phase of contention.

Cale Makar’s Next Contract: How High Will It Go?

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | August 25, 2026

Story Summary

Cale Makar enters the final season of his current contract with the Colorado Avalanche while negotiations continue over a new long-term agreement. General manager Joe Sakic described the discussions as positive and said the club hopes to complete a deal before training camp.

Makar has established himself as one of the NHL’s elite defencemen, winning two Norris Trophies, the Conn Smythe Trophy and the Stanley Cup. No agreement has been announced, but a reported projection places a possible eight-year extension in the $15-16 million average annual value range.

Key Facts

Cale Makar is entering the final season of his current contract with the Colorado Avalanche.
Makar’s current contract carries a $9 million annual cap hit.
He has won two Norris Trophies, the Conn Smythe Trophy and the Stanley Cup during the deal.
Joe Sakic said he is not worried about the negotiations and described the dialogue as positive.
Colorado hopes to reach an agreement before the start of training camp.
Under the current NHL collective bargaining agreement, the maximum permitted annual cap hit is 20 percent of the salary-cap ceiling, reportedly equivalent to approximately $20.9 million.
A reported projection places a more likely deal at eight years with an AAV of approximately $15-16 million.
Nathan MacKinnon’s and Bowen Byram’s $12.5 million cap hits were presented as internal comparison points.
No final agreement on term, value or signing date has been announced.

IHM Discussion

The central development is straightforward: negotiations are active and publicly described as positive, but the terms remain unresolved. Sakic’s comments signal confidence that Makar and the Avalanche remain aligned on the objective of completing a long-term agreement.

Makar’s next contract will carry significance beyond his own position. His production, individual awards and role in Colorado’s success give him considerable negotiating power, while the Avalanche must also protect enough salary-cap flexibility to maintain a competitive roster around him.

The theoretical ceiling of approximately $20.9 million per season represents the highest possible figure under the current rules. The reported $15-16 million projection would still produce one of the NHL’s richest contracts for a defenceman while leaving Colorado with more room to manage the rest of its roster.

Neither projection represents an agreed figure. Until the Avalanche announce a contract, the term and AAV remain matters for negotiation between the club and Makar’s representatives.

Why It Matters

Makar’s eventual contract will directly affect Colorado’s long-term roster construction and could establish a new salary benchmark for elite NHL defencemen. A deal near the reported $15-16 million range would reward Makar as a franchise cornerstone while preserving more flexibility than a contract approaching the maximum permitted cap hit.

IHM Market Outlook

The reported comparison points place Makar above the $12.5 million cap hits carried by Nathan MacKinnon and Bowen Byram. His awards, production and importance to Colorado support that premium.

An agreement in the $15-16 million range could become an important reference for future negotiations involving leading defencemen. A contract closer to the 20 percent ceiling would push the market considerably higher. For now, both possibilities remain projections rather than confirmed terms.

Mini Q&A

Is Cale Makar expected to receive the maximum permitted cap hit?

The maximum would reportedly be approximately $20.9 million per season, but the more realistic projection presented is an AAV of approximately $15-16 million.

What contract has been projected for Makar?

A possible eight-year extension with an average annual value in the $15-16 million range has been projected. No final terms have been announced.

What timeline did Joe Sakic give for an agreement?

Sakic said the dialogue has been positive and expressed hope that a deal would be completed before training camp.

How does the projected contract compare with Makar’s current deal?

Makar’s current contract carries a $9 million annual cap hit. A deal worth $15-16 million per season would represent a substantial increase.

Coach Mark Comment

From a coaching perspective, resolving the contract before training camp would remove an unnecessary distraction and give the Avalanche clarity around their most influential defenceman. Makar shapes Colorado’s transition game, offensive movement and overall tempo, so long-term certainty around his position would help the coaching staff plan around a stable core.

The financial balance also matters. If Colorado retains enough flexibility to support Makar with reliable depth, the club will be better positioned to maintain the structure required for a long playoff run.

What Comes Next

Colorado will continue negotiations with Makar’s representatives. Sakic has said the club hopes to announce an agreement before the start of training camp.

IHM Final View

The Avalanche and Makar appear confident that an agreement will be reached, but the decisive details remain unsettled. The final term and cap hit will determine not only Makar’s long-term future in Colorado but also how much flexibility the club retains around its championship core.

Hughes and Makar Poised to Reset Defence Market

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | August 9, 2026

Story Summary

Two of the NHL’s most dynamic, offence-driving defencemen – Quinn Hughes and Cale Makar – are eligible for new contracts, and league observers expect their deals to push the market upward. With other elite defenders such as Zach Werenski approaching similar negotiation windows and recent landmark contracts for young forwards and defenders resetting expectations, teams will face difficult choices about term, money and roster construction.

Key Facts

Rising salary-cap projections and recent high-value contracts have lifted player salaries across the NHL.
Young forwards including Macklin Celebrini and Leo Carlsson have reached the top of the AAV list among rookies, with Connor Bedard close behind.
Bowen Byram signed a landmark deal reported as $12.5 million over six years with the Chicago Blackhawks, a number observers point to as setting a new baseline for top defencemen.
Quinn Hughes and Cale Makar are both eligible for contract extensions in the near term, and their negotiations are expected to influence the market for elite defencemen.
Broad commentary on NHL Tonight suggested that Hughes, Makar and Zach Werenski represent a cohort of top-tier defencemen who could reshape defensive pay across the league.
On NHL Tonight, EJ Hradek noted that Colorado’s management group had recently changed, saying Chris MacFarland is out and Joe Sakic is back in managing that area; Hradek added he has no information that Makar wants to leave Colorado.
Commentators Travis Luftman, EJ Hradek and Cory Schneider discussed player reluctance to sign long eight-year deals, given rapid salary escalation and a Players’ Association perspective that a rising tide should lift all contracts.

IHM Discussion

The short version for general managers is this: elite, offence-producing defencemen now live in the same valuation universe as top forwards. That is not a stylistic judgement, it is a market reality driven by production, usage and the growing cap ceiling. When a player on the back end functions as a primary playmaker, powerplay driver and top-minute matchup defender, his bargaining position approaches that of a No 1 centre.

Observers pointed to Bowen Byram as a first move on the market, but both Hughes and Makar are a step beyond in terms of consistent offensive output and impact. The timing compounds the effect. When several top players at the same position hit free negotiation windows simultaneously, teams cannot contain the price by waiting. Players and agents will compare contemporaneous deals. That comparability is the engine behind market resets.

There are countervailing forces. The very scale of these projected contracts forces clubs into hard choices: pay more today and sacrifice depth, or attempt to spread the cap burden with term and creative structuring. The league’s rising revenues reduce the sting of big numbers, but they do not erase the tradeoffs. Coaches and roster architects must decide whether they will prioritise a transcendent top-pairing defenceman at the expense of middle-six scoring or defensive depth.

Finally, the length question matters as much as the headline AAV. Several commentators noted players are wary of locking in eight-year deals when a salary landscape can shift dramatically in two or three seasons. Shorter, higher-AAV contracts give players flexibility to capture rising market value; long-term pacts give teams stability but risk becoming obsolete for the player and strained on the club when younger stars emerge at premium salaries.

IHM Market Outlook

Expect negotiations to test conventional templates. Agents will push for high AAVs and manageable no-trade protection, while managements will seek term and cap predictability. Given the sources in circulation, the most likely path is a hybrid: shorter lengths than the old eight- or 10-year standards, combined with front-loaded or performance-tilted mechanisms that are compatible with collective bargaining rules.

Teams with a genuine championship window will be most willing to absorb top-dollar defence contracts; those in a rebuild will be more cautious, preferring to allocate resources across forwards and defence. The ripple effects are significant. As one group of defenders establishes a new AAV benchmark, entry-level extensions and upcoming restricted free agent negotiations will be measured against it, driving a second wave of salary escalation for younger players who exceed expectations.

From a market structure perspective, the Players’ Association incentive to ensure top players do not voluntarily undercut future cohorts is real. A contemporaneous cluster of elite defenders increases the PA’s leverage to argue for higher compensation norms, and players understand that waiting for the next wave can be lucrative – which dampens the appetite for long-term bargains unless clubs can justify them by immediate championship odds.

Why It Matters

Salary inflation among elite defencemen changes how teams build. General managers will have to choose between concentrating cap on a few elite pieces and preserving a balanced roster. A club that crowns an elite defender with a top-dollar deal gains a clear on-ice advantage in transition and powerplay creation, but it also assumes opportunity cost elsewhere: fewer mid-level forwards, less bottom-pair reliability or limited deadline flexibility.

On-ice consequences follow. Coaches will alter minutes and matchup strategies to get the most value out of an expensive top defender, often leaning more heavily on that player in late-game situations and key special teams roles. That usage inflates short-term performance but accelerates wear and exposes teams to injury risk. From a development standpoint, younger defenders may find their path to top minutes blocked by a franchise investment, influencing trades, loans or even the speed of promotion from junior and Europe.

For fans the immediate effect is headline-grabbing numbers; for cap planners the story is a testing ground for innovation. If Hughes and Makar command deals that reset the market, the salary landscape two years from now will look markedly different. Clubs will adopt different strategies: some will chase elite talent and accept thinner depth charts, others will prioritise a balanced roster and look for high-value bargains in mid-market signings.

Fan Pulse

Would you rather see your team invest heavily in one elite defender or spread that money across several roster areas? How much patience should fans expect from management if a top defenceman’s contract reduces short-term depth?

Mini Q& A

Will Quinn Hughes or Cale Makar definitely reset the market? They are among the likeliest catalysts. Their combined status as top-pair, offence-first defence options and coinciding negotiation windows give them the leverage to push AAVs higher, though exact outcomes will depend on timing and team willingness to spend.

Why are players reluctant to sign eight-year deals? Rapid salary escalation makes long deals risky for players. If the cap and market rise quickly, a long-term contract can become under-market for the player within a few seasons, so many prefer shorter deals to preserve future upside.

Can teams protect themselves from inflated defensive salaries? Yes, through contract structure: shorter terms, performance bonuses where allowed, and front-loaded payments. Teams can also redistribute minutes and defensive responsibilities to reduce dependency on a single high-paid player.

Does this trend make defending more valuable than before? In practice, yes. Defencemen who contribute offence, manage transition and quarterback the powerplay are generating value previously reserved for top forwards, which is reflected in contract expectations.

Coach Mark Comment

From a coaching viewpoint, the market conversation is never purely financial. When a team commits significant cap to a top defence man, their usage assumptions change instantly. Coaches will lean on those players in all key moments: late-game protection, penalty kill matchups, and extended powerplay time. That concentrates responsibility and can make the team better in high-leverage situations, but it also forces coaches to manage fatigue and guard against overexposure.

There is a practical development angle as well. Young defencemen who might otherwise graduate to top-pair minutes can see their path delayed, which impacts ice time for skill acquisition. Coaches must balance giving heavy minutes to a veteran elite player while still creating meaningful development minutes for prospects. That often means staggered minutes, using veteran players in situational roles to free up sheltered minutes for younger partners so they can learn without facing every opponent’s best line.

There is also a behavioural effect inside the dressing room. Big contracts change expectations and leadership dynamics. Coaching becomes partly about communication: clarifying roles so other players understand why the team invested in one position and what their responsibilities are. Good coaches keep performance standards consistent, but they also adjust practice load, video focus and powerplay reps to maximise the return on a significant investment without burning the player out.

Finally, on a practical skill level, an elite offensive defenceman requires partner choices and system tweaks. If you want that player to drive play out of danger and create chances, you pair him with a steadier, stay-at-home partner and adjust gap control across the pairing. That is not theoretical; it is how you protect the team when you run heavy minutes for a high-AAV defender. Coaches who succeed in this environment keep the team competitive while also preserving the elite player’s effectiveness over an 82-game season and through playoffs.

IHM Final View

The coming negotiations will not be an abstract payroll exercise. They will determine how clubs allocate minutes, construct lines and prioritise depth. If Quinn Hughes and Cale Makar command deals that match their on-ice influence, the market for defence will look more like the forward market we have already seen – big money for creators and shorter, strategic terms for everyone else.

Memorable final point: when a defenceman is regularly producing offensively at the level of a second-line centre, contracts will follow the scoring chart. Teams that plan for that reality now – by managing minutes, protecting partners and building depth intelligently – will be best placed to turn high salaries into championships rather than liabilities.

Colorado humiliates Oilers 1-9 on home ice; McDavid’s lone goal can’t stop rout | IHM News

Date: November 9, 2025 | Author: IHM News

EDMONTON – The Colorado Avalanche didn’t just win; they embarrassed the Oilers on their own ice in a 1-9 demolition that turned into a statement of superiority. Edmonton’s superstar Connor McDavid had the only home goal on a power play, but everything else belonged to Colorado as wave after wave turned the night into a public collapse for the hosts.

Colorado seized control early through Cale Makar, who struck twice in a 66-second span of the first period (13:29 and 14:35) after an initial Oilers push devolved into penalties and turnovers. A would-be third Avalanche goal was washed out on coach’s challenge at 16:05, but the tone was already set: the visitors were faster, cleaner, and ruthless.

The second period became a humiliation reel. Rookie burner Gavin Brindley made it 0-3 at 2:38, and Jack Drury pushed the avalanche to 0-4 at 4:45. Parker Kelly added a fifth at 9:34. McDavid finally broke the shutout on a power play at 11:30 (from Leon Draisaitl), but Colorado answered instantly with a short-handed dagger by Kelly at 14:38 for 1-6. Edmonton pulled starter Stuart Skinner for Calvin Pickard at 7:28, yet the bleeding didn’t stop.

Any hope of pride in the third evaporated in 24 seconds: Nathan MacKinnon made it 1-7 off a Lehkonen/Toews feed at 00:24, then buried another at 5:01 for 1-8. Drury’s second of the night at 14:28 closed the scoring at 1-9. From puck management to defensive structure, Edmonton were second best in every battle, diced apart in transition and on broken plays. On a night demanding a response, the Oilers delivered a no-show-and their crowd let them hear it.

Key facts

Score: Oilers 1, Avalanche 9 (Final)
Colorado multi-goal scorers: Cale Makar (2), Nathan MacKinnon (2), Jack Drury (2); Parker Kelly (2 incl. SHG), Gavin Brindley (1)
Edmonton goal: Connor McDavid (PPG)
Goaltending note (EDM): Skinner started; Pickard entered at 7:28 of 2nd.
Coach’s challenge: Colorado goal disallowed at 16:05 of 1st; momentum unaffected.

Scoring summary

1st Period – 13:29 COL Makar (Toews, MacKinnon) 0-1; 14:35 COL Makar (Toews, MacKinnon) 0-2; 16:05 COL goal disallowed (coach’s challenge).

2nd Period – 02:38 COL Brindley (Malinski, Bardakov) 0-3; 04:45 COL Drury (Burns, Olofsson) 0-4; 09:34 COL Kelly (Brindley, Bardakov) 0-5; 11:30 EDM McDavid (PPG, Draisaitl) 1-5; 14:38 COL Kelly (SHG) 1-6.

3rd Period – 00:24 COL MacKinnon (Lehkonen, Toews) 1-7; 05:01 COL MacKinnon (Colton) 1-8; 14:28 COL Drury (Colton, Kelly) 1-9.

Coach Mark comment

Colorado punished every soft puck. They stacked layers through the neutral zone, then killed Edmonton on second pucks and slot seams. The Oilers’ regroup spacing collapsed; their weak-side coverage was late all night. That’s how routs happen: details, not just star power.

Questions & Answers | Avalanche 1-9 Oilers – IHM Performance Metrics

What was the final score of Oilers vs Avalanche?

Colorado Avalanche defeated the Edmonton Oilers 1-9.

Where was the game played?

The game was played on the Oilers’ home ice in Edmonton.

Who scored the Oilers’ only goal?

Connor McDavid scored a power-play goal in the second period.

Who scored for the Avalanche?

Goals for Colorado came from Cale Makar (2), Gavin Brindley (2), Jack Drury (2), Nathan MacKinnon (2), and Patrick Kelly (shorthanded).

What were the period-by-period scores?

Avalanche led 0-2 after the first, 1-6 after the second, and won 1-9 after the third.

Did Edmonton change goalies?

Yes. Stuart Skinner started and was replaced by Calvin Pickard at 7:28 of the second period.

What was the turning point?

Colorado’s three-goal burst early in the second period (2:38 and 4:45 at 5-on-5, then 9:34) blew the game open and seized all momentum.

Did Colorado score on special teams?

Yes. The Avalanche scored a shorthanded goal (Kelly at 14:38 of the second). Edmonton’s lone goal was on the power play.

How did star players impact the result?

MacKinnon struck twice in the third, while Makar set the tone with two first-period goals. McDavid had the lone Oilers tally as Edmonton was overwhelmed in transition and off the rush.

Why is this result significant?

It’s a statement road win and a home-ice humiliation for Edmonton – a 1-9 rout that highlights Colorado’s speed, forecheck pressure and finishing, while exposing Oilers’ defensive structure and goaltending depth.

What’s the IHM verdict?

Colorado: ruthless, playoff-caliber pace and execution. Edmonton: not a bad night – a collapse. Urgent structural fixes required.

IHM Performance Metrics Report: Why the Ducks and Utah Mammoth Suddenly Look Like Analytics Superpowers