Cale Makar's $163M Contract Creates Winners and Losers Across NHL

Cale Makar's historic $163.2 million deal reshapes salary cap dynamics for Colorado, Minnesota, and other NHL teams.

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from the fact record

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Cale Makar signed an eight-year contract extension with the Colorado Avalanche worth $163.2 million with an average annual value of $20.8 million against the salary cap. ^[1] Former Montreal Canadiens defenseman Andrei Markov stated that the team is positioned to end its Stanley Cup drought. ^[2] Colorado Avalanche General Manager Joe Sakic stated that the team cannot win without superstars and that they have the best players in the world at center and defense locked up through 2031. ^[3] Minnesota Wild General Manager Bill Guerin stated that Quinn Hughes has already made significant money in his career and can afford to make different types of decisions on his next contract. ^[4] Quinn Hughes has one more season left on his current $7.85 million per year deal before becoming an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2027. ^[5] Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson recorded his second consecutive season on the NHL's top 15 assists list. ^[6] Montreal Canadiens defenseman Noah Dobson recorded 47 points in the 2025-26 season while averaging 22:29 of ice time. ^[7] The Montreal Canadiens traded Brendan Gallagher to the Vancouver Canucks in the summer of 2026 after 14 years with the organization. ^[8]

What this stands on

Cale Makar signed an eight-year contract extension with the Colorado Avalanche worth $163.2 million with an average annual value of $20.8 million against the salary cap. · ESPN

Former Montreal Canadiens defenseman Andrei Markov stated that the team is positioned to end its Stanley Cup drought. · Yahoo! Sports

Colorado Avalanche General Manager Joe Sakic stated that the team cannot win without superstars and that they have the best players in the world at center and defense locked up through 2031. · ESPN

Minnesota Wild General Manager Bill Guerin stated that Quinn Hughes has already made significant money in his career and can afford to make different types of decisions on his next contract. · ESPN

Quinn Hughes has one more season left on his current $7.85 million per year deal before becoming an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2027. · ESPN

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson recorded his second consecutive season on the NHL's top 15 assists list. · Yahoo! Sports

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Noah Dobson recorded 47 points in the 2025-26 season while averaging 22:29 of ice time. · Yahoo! Sports

The Montreal Canadiens traded Brendan Gallagher to the Vancouver Canucks in the summer of 2026 after 14 years with the organization. · Yahoo! Sports

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