Makar NHL's First $20 Million Man

Cale Makar (UMass) is the NHL's first $20 million man.

The 27-year-old defenseman from Calgary recently signed a new eight-year deal with the Colorado Avalanche that will pay him an average of $20.4 million per season, to the 2034-35 campaign, making him the NHL's highest-paid player.

Drafted fourth overall by Colorado in 2017 out of Brooks (AJHL) in junior hockey, Makar has spent his entire NHL career with the Avalanche, tallying 136 goals and 371 assists for 507 points in 470 regular-season games over his first seven full professional seasons. He has also recorded 26-64—90 points in 90 Stanley Cup Playoff outings, and led Colorado to the Cup in 2022 while also winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as the NHL's postseason MVP that spring.

Makar helped Canada to the title at the 2025 Four Nations Faceoff, and then a silver medal at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games. He played two seasons at UMass, totaling 21 goals and 70 points in 75 appearances, and won the Hobey Baker Memorial Award as the NCAA's top player as a sophomore just before turning pro for the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He claimed the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's top rookie in 2019-20, and is a two-time winner of the Norris Trophy as the NHL's top defenseman.