The Colorado Avalanche have inked star defenceman Cale Makar to a six-year deal, the club announced Saturday.
Per Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, Makar's new deal carries an average annual value of $9 million, putting the total six-year contract at $54 million.
The 22-year-old has been a force from Colorado's blue line since debuting during the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs — a debut that saw the smooth-skating rearguard score on his first shot in the big leagues.
In the two full seasons he's logged for the Avalanche, Makar's amassed 94 points through 101 career games, averaged more than 22 minutes of ice per night (his average rising from 21:01 in Year 1 to 24:19 this past season), claimed the 2020 Calder Trophy as the game's best rookie, and earned a Norris Trophy nomination in 2021.
“I couldn’t be more excited knowing I’ll be calling Denver home for at least the next six years,” Makar said via an Instagram post after inking the new deal. “I will do everything in my power to bring a Stanley Cup to the best fans in the NHL. My Avalanche teammates are an amazing group of guys, and I can’t thank them enough as they played such a huge part in enabling me to perform at my best."
“In just over two seasons, Cale has already established himself as one of the premier defensemen in the National Hockey League,” Avalanche GM Joe Sakic said of Makar, via a release. “His ability to play in all situations and at both ends of the ice makes him truly unique and we are excited to have him anchor our blue line for years to come.”
Per Makar's agent, Brian Bartlett, the year-by-year breakdown of the 22-year-old's salary over the course of the deal is as follows:
Year 1: $8 million
Year 2: $9 million
Year 3: $11 million
Year 4: $10.6 million
Year 5: $8.7 million
Year 6: $6.7 million
