Cale Makar became the NHL’s first $20 million man on Friday.
The 27-year-old defenseman signed an eight-year, $163.2 million contract with the Colorado Avalanche. The deal, which begins next season, is worth $20.4 million annually and is the richest contract in NHL history. He’s also the first player to have an average annual value of at least $20 million.
“I feel like now it’s starting to sink in,” Makar said Friday in an interview with Lauren Gardner of Altitude Sports, which broadcasts Avalanche games. “I think when you’re going through the process, you don’t really know what’s going to happen. My intention was always to be an Av, hopefully for life, and I think this is a major step towards that.
“I feel like there was a lot of communication from both sides at all times, and these things take a lot of time. So for us … there was probably really no rush, I guess, on either side. I think it was important to probably get it done before the season started, and I’m happy to have it done, and excited to get back on the ice with all the guys.”
The AAV surpassed that of the five year, $94 million contract ($18.8 million AAV) center Macklin Celebrini signed with the San Jose Sharks on July 29.
“Today is an exciting day for the Avalanche organization and our wonderful fans,” said Sakic, the Avalanche president of hockey operations/general manager. “Cale is a generational defenseman and his accomplishments speak for themselves. He is obviously a tremendous competitor and player but even more so a great person, teammate and ambassador for the Avalanche and the Rocky Mountain region. We are beyond thrilled to get this deal done and have Cale in an Avalanche sweater for the next decade.”
