Cale Makar has been one of the best defencemen since he entered the league in 2019. He’s won numerous accolades, including the prestigious Conn Smythe and Norris Trophies.
Naturally, the Avalanche made it a priority to lock him up early, which they did. In July 2021, he signed a 6-year, $54 million extension with an annual value of $9 million. At the time, it was a sizeable extension–and a much more expensive one could be coming soon.
The NHL salary cap was set at $81.5 million in 2021, but it has since risen to $95.5 million. It’s a new era for the NHL, as it’s not only superstars making double digits a year.
In September of this year, Kirill Kaprizov set the record for the most expensive contract by annual average value, when he signed an extension with the Minnesota Wild. The contract has an annual average value of $17 million.
But with Makar’s contract expiring next year, it wouldn’t be hard to see him become the first player make $20 million a year.
He is an elite contributor on both sides of the ice, and is also one of the best playoff performers in the league. There’s no doubt he’ll re-sign, and the Avalanche are prepared. After Rantanen’s departure, they’re projected to have $26.85 million in cap space in next offseason, most of which they’ll likely dedicate to their star defenceman.
Do you think Makar will make $20 million a year on his next contract?
