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NHL Notebook: Cale Makar signs largest contract in NHL history

Photo credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

By Ryley Delaney

Aug 29, 2026, 08:00 EDTUpdated: Aug 29, 2026, 01:09 EDT

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Cale Makar will be set for life.

On Friday afternoon, the Colorado Avalanche announced that the defenceman has signed an eight-year deal. He’ll also become the highest-paid player beginning in 2027-28, as he’s set to make $163.2 million over those eight years, or $20.4 million annually.

Elliotte Friedman

@FriedgeHNIC

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NHL’s first $20M player, just shy of the max — which is $20.8M Total is $163.2M

Elliotte Friedman

@FriedgeHNIC

$20.4M AAV

9:29 PM · Aug 28, 2026

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This is by far the richest contract in National Hockey League history, surpassing Kirill Kaprizov’s eight-year deal worth $136 million that was signed last off-season. Makar’s contract is the fifth to reach the nine-figure mark, as Leon Draisaitl ($112 million), Jack Eichel ($108 million), and Makar’s teammate Nathan MacKinnon ($100.8 million) have also reached it.

Makar will also become the first player to earn $20 million or more in a season, eclipsing Macklin Celebrini and Leo Carlsson’s $18 million AAV. For now, Carlsson will be the highest-paid player by AAV in 2026-27.

It’s hard to say that Makar doesn’t deserve it either, as he’s this generation’s best defenceman. Last season, he scored 20 goals and 79 points in 75 games, a down-year for the Calgary native. He found the back of the net 30 times in 2024-25, en route to his second Norris Trophy. He’s also won the Calder Trophy, a Stanley Cup, and the Conn Smythe.

Connor Hellebuyck publicly requests a trade

Earlier this off-season, it was reported that Connor Hellbuyck had requested a trade. Nothing came of the trade request, as of yet, but Hellebuyck released a statement through his agent Ray Petkau which confirms the request.

Ray Petkau

@RayPetkau

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Statement from Connor Hellebuyck:

6:50 PM · Aug 27, 2026

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The netminder is entering the third year of his seven-season contract signed in the autumn of 2023. He earns an annual cap hit of $8.5 million and has a no-move clause for the 2026-27 season. After this season, his protection drops to a 10-team trade list.

Hellebuyck and the Winnipeg Jets are reeling off a tough season. In 2024-25, the 33-year-old netminder posted a .925 save percentage and 2 goals against average in 63 games, winning not just his third career Vezina Trophy, but also the Hart Trophy.

As good as his regular season performances have been, Hellebuyck has struggled in the playoffs. In five post-season games in 2022-23, he finished with a .886 save percentage. It got even worse in 2023-24, an .870 save percentage, before dipping to .866 in 2024-25.

After winning the Presidents’ Trophy in 2024-25, the Jets finished with just 82 points in 2025-26, seventh-fewest in the NHL. Hellebuyck becoming a league-average goaltender is a big reason as to why they struggled.

Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for DFO Calgary, DFO Edmonton, and Blue Jays Nation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

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