Cale Makar and Jared Bednar now have a new reality in Colorado: the Avalanche star has signed the richest deal in NHL history.
The agreement is massive: 8 years, $163.2 million total and a $20.4 million average annual value. That puts Makar at the top of the NHL's salary structure.
For Colorado, this is much bigger than simply keeping an elite defenceman. The Avalanche have locked their blue line around the player who drives their transition game and quarterbacks their attack.
Makar had been carrying a $9 million cap hit, meaning the new number represents an enormous jump. His next contract resets the financial ceiling for defencemen across the league.
It also pushes Makar beyond the NHL's current salary leaders. Leon Draisaitl sits at $14 million, while Auston Matthews carries a $13.25 million cap hit.
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Colorado clearly had no interest in letting negotiations become a long-term distraction. The organization moved aggressively and gave Makar a contract built for a franchise centerpiece.
Cale Makar resets the NHL salary market
The timing carries weight because Colorado remains built to contend. The Avalanche finished the regular season 55-16-11, producing 121 points and a league-best +99 goal differential.
That roster already revolves around elite talent, but Makar's deal creates a new financial benchmark. Future negotiations involving the NHL's top stars now have a $20.4 million figure sitting on the table.
For defencemen, the comparison is even more dramatic. Erik Karlsson had the highest cap hit among NHL blue-liners at $11.5 million, well below Makar's new annual number.
And this isn't Colorado paying for projection. Makar has already become the engine of the Avalanche blue line, trusted with heavy minutes, offensive-zone creation and first-unit power-play responsibility.
The contract also removes one major question hanging over Colorado's future. Bednar knows exactly who will remain at the center of his defence as the Avalanche keep chasing championships.
There will be cap consequences around him. A commitment this large forces harder decisions elsewhere on the roster, especially when depth players and supporting pieces reach contract years.
But Colorado made its priority unmistakable.
Cale Makar didn't just get paid. He changed the NHL salary standard.
Is Cale Makar worth a record $20.4 million per year?
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