It’s Oprah Winfrey season in the NHL, which means everyone gets a contract extension. After the Colorado Avalanche locked down Martin Necas long-term with an eight-year, $92 million deal, the only domino left is Cale Makar’s next contract extension.
Since being drafted fourth overall in 2017, Makar has been the heart and soul of Colorado’s defense, earning a reputation for his smart choices and strong skating, so you can bet the house on his next payday breaking the bank.
With his current deal expiring in 2027, speculation has already begun on what his next deal could look like and how it might shape Colorado’s future plans.
How High Could Cale Makar’s Next Contract Go?
Makar’s next contract has become a major talking point in the NHL, with several teams keeping a close eye on how the Avs maneuver with this one.
Two well-known insiders, Dan Rosen and Elliotte Friedman, have shared what they expect, and both think it could be one of the biggest contracts in hockey.
In his Over the Boards mailbag, Rosen predicted Makar could sign for eight years and $128 million, which would give him an annual salary of $16 million. Rosen said the numbers fit well, as Makar wears No. 8. He also pointed out that it would be slightly less than Kirill Kaprizov’s eight-year, $136 million deal with the Minnesota Wild.
Rosen explained that Makar becomes eligible to re-sign on July 1, 2026, but the timing is of paramount importance. “Makar can still squeeze an eight-year contract into the window between when he becomes eligible to re-sign and the new CBA begins,” Rosen wrote.
After September 15, 2026, the new Collective Bargaining Agreement will only allow a maximum of seven years for re-signing players.
Previously, in the last week of October, on a Friday episode of the 32 Thoughts podcast, Elliotte Friedman discussed Makar’s future, calling his next contract “the next big one.” He explained that nearly every decision the Avalanche make now connects to Makar, showing just how crucial he is to Colorado’s long-term plans.
He added that Colorado would consider it a success if the team could sign him slightly below Kaprizov’s contract. “If you’re the Avalanche right now, and you get him to come in a penny under Kaprizov, you are considering it a W, a massive W,” Friedman said.
He believes Makar deserves every bit of his next contract but expects both sides to handle things wisely.
“I think if you’re Colorado and you end up signing him under that number, you’re sitting here and you’re saying, ‘What a win for us,’” he added.
Makar, 27, continues to prove why he’s one of the NHL’s best. He has 4 goals and 14 assists in 14 games this season, with a +11 rating. He leads the Avalanche in ice time and continues to be a key part of their puck movement.
Whether he signs for $128 million or slightly less, Makar’s next deal is expected to set a new standard for defensemen in the league.
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