Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar of Calgary, Alberta has become the highest paid player in National Hockey League history. According to nhl.com on Friday. Makar has signed an eight year contract worth $163.2 million. This means that Makar is now making $20.4 million per year and is the first player ever to make more than $20 per year. The previously highest paid player in NHL history is also a Canadian. San Jose Sharks centre Macklin Celebrini of North Vancouver, British Columbia is making $18.8 million per season.
Makar has played the last eight seasons with the Avalanche. In 470 regular season games, he has 136 goals and 371 assists for 507 points. Makar is a +168 with 134 penalty minutes, 208 power-play points, seven shorthanded points, 28 game-winning goals, one hat trick, 1317 shots on goal, 664 blocked shots, 377 hits, 335 takeaways and 390 giveaways. The hat trick came in a 7-2 Avalanche win over the Detroit Red Wings on March 6, 2024.
This past season, Makar had 20 goals and 59 assists for 79 points in 75 games. He was a +32 with 24 penalty minutes, 29 power-play points, four game-winning goals, 199 shots on goal, 117 blocked shots, 35 hits, 40 takeaways and 86 giveaways.
Makar’s career accolades are remarkable too. He won the 2020 Calder Trophy, 2022 Stanley Cup, 2022 Conn Smythe Trophy, the 2022 and 2025 Norris Trophies and has been a three-time NHL All-Star.
