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Cale Makar Signs New Contract Amid NHL Salary Cap Surge

2026-07-01 · Cale Makar · Player Focus

Cale Makar Signs New Contract Amid NHL Salary Cap Surge

Cale Makar is one of the best players in the world, and his next contract will be a huge factor in the Colorado Avalanche's attempt to construct a Stanley Cup-contending roster. On June 30, 2026, the NHL salary cap is expected to surge to $113 million for 2027-28.

What's at stake for Cale Makar?

The negotiations for Makar's new deal will be entirely different from those of his teammate Artturi Lehkonen. Makar is in the prime of his career, and his contract will set the tone for the Avalanche's roster construction.

Makar's current deal has one year left, and the Avalanche's general manager, Joe Sakic, has stated that Makar isn't going anywhere. However, the exact terms of his new contract are still unknown.

How will the rising salary cap affect Makar's contract?

The salary cap ceiling is surging to previously unforeseen levels, making it more difficult to project new deals. The cap ceiling is expected to be $113 million for 2027-28, which is $29.5 million more than it was when Nathan MacKinnon started his eight-year, $100.8 million contract in 2023-24.

This surge in the salary cap will likely impact the negotiations for Makar's new deal. MacKinnon has stated that Makar should get $20 million per season, which would be a significant increase from his current deal.

What are the comparable deals for Makar?

There are no direct comparables for Makar, as he is one of the two best defensemen in the world. However, the contracts of other top defensemen, such as Erik Karlsson and Drew Doughty, may provide some insight into what Makar's new deal could look like.

Karlsson's contract, which began in the 2019-20 season, is worth $11.5 million per year. Doughty's contract, which also began in the 2019-20 season, is worth $11 million per year.

What's next for Makar and the Avalanche?

The negotiations for Makar's new deal are expected to start in mid-July, according to Sakic. The outcome of these negotiations will have a significant impact on the Avalanche's roster construction and their chances of winning the Stanley Cup in the coming years.

The Avalanche will need to balance their desire to retain Makar with the need to manage their salary cap. The team has several other key players who will be eligible for new contracts in the near future, including Lehkonen.

On June 30, 2026, the NHL world will be watching as Makar and the Avalanche negotiate his new contract. The outcome of these negotiations will have far-reaching implications for the team and the league as a whole.

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