Colorado Avalanche: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Cale Makar, Avalanche grades for record-breaking $163.2 million contract extension

Cale Makar has been bringing fans out of their seats since he made his debut with the Colorado Avalanche in the 2019-20 season. He looked like a boy scout stepping onto the ice, but that timid look quickly gave way to that of a game-changing superstar.

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Cale Makar Cashes In: Avalanche Lock Up a Superstar, Inherit a Cap Crisis

After weeks of staring down Quinn Hughes in a league‑wide game of contract chicken, the Colorado Avalanche superstar signed a monster eight‑year extension worth $20.4 million AAV — sliding just under the current max of $20.8M and resetting the market exactly as expected.

Cale Makar News / Athlon Sports / August 29

Is Cale Makar's New Avalanche Contract the Biggest In NHL History?

The Colorado Avalanche have spent the summer strengthening a roster built around their two stars, forward Nathan MacKinnon and defenseman Cale Makar, following a sweep at the hands of the Vegas Golden Knights in last postseason’s Western Conference Finals.

NHL News / Yardbarker

The best and worst NHL free agency deals since 2000

The NHL has had an interesting new millennium. It was a league sans a salary cap when the 2000s started… and then the owners locked the players out for an entire season.

Colorado Avalanche News / NHL on ClutchPoints / August 29

Avalanche’s Cale Makar sends first message to fans after historic $163 million contract

The Colorado Avalanche made hockey history on Friday when they re-signed defenseman Cale Makar. Makar signed a historic $163 million contract with Colorado, making him the highest-paid player in NHL history.

Colorado Avalanche News / NHL Rumors / August 28

NHL News: Cale Makar Signs Historic Extension with Colorado Avalanche

The Colorado Avalanche and Barlett Hockey announced they have signed defenseman Cale Makar to a historic eight-year, $163.2 million extension. When the new contract kicks in on July 1, 2027, Makar will have an AAV of $20.4 million.

Colorado Avalanche News / Field Level Media / August 28

Avs' Cale Makar becomes highest-paid player in NHL history

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar inked an eight-year, $163.2 million contract on Friday, becoming the first player in NHL history to earn more than $20 million per year.

NHL News / Yardbarker

The defining figure for every NHL franchise

People will talk about the “Mount Rushmore” for a franchise, which is to say the four people, usually four players, that most define the franchise. Not always the four-best players, but the four that evoke the essence of the franchise.

Colorado Avalanche News / Pro Hockey Rumors / August 28

Avalanche Sign Cale Makar To An Eight-Year Extension

The Colorado Avalanche announced they have signed superstar defenseman Cale Makar to an eight-year contract extension. More details to follow…

Cale Makar News / Daily Faceoff / August 28

Avalanche sign Cale Makar to largest contract in NHL history

One of the best players in the world has hit a record-setting payday. On Friday, the Colorado Avalanche announced that the team has signed defenseman Cale Makar to an eight-year contract extension.

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NHL News / Yardbarker / August 28

Cale Makar signs record-setting extension with Avalanche

There was never a question as to whether or not the Colorado Avalanche would sign defenseman Cale Makar to a long-term contract extension. The question was always a matter of when it would get done, how many years it would be worth, and how much money it would involve.

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Cale Makar News / NHL Trade Talk / August 28

Avalanche and Cale Makar Sign the Biggest Deal In NHL History

Cale Makar has signed the largest contract in NHL history. The deal is an eight-year extension with an AAV of 20.4 million. Although the deal was rumored to be close, there were questions about the term.

Colorado Avalanche News / Colorado Avalanche On SI / August 28

Avalanche Have Too Much Talent for This Problem to Continue

Nathan MacKinnon. Cale Makar. Martin Necas. Nazem Kadri. When you have this kind of talent all on the same roster, there really should not be any struggle to find a way to score goals.

Nick Blankenburg News / Pro Hockey Rumors / August 28

Free Agent Profile: Nick Blankenburg

This summer has featured a somewhat unusual free agency period. The sharp rise in the salary cap has pushed player price tags up in a general sense, but that windfall hasn’t extended to every point in the player market.

NHL News / Daily Faceoff / August 28

Four under-the-radar PTO candidates for NHL teams to consider

We’re almost into the month of September, and in the NHL, that usually means two things: training camps are around the corner, and PTO season is about to begin in earnest.

Six potential trade destinations for Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck

Will Auston Matthews find a second gear later in his career?

Chris Pronger believes NHLers should have more control over their careers

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Ranking the Western Conference's biggest winners this summer

Ranking the Eastern Conference's biggest winners this summer

Cale Makar News / NHL Trade Talk / August 27

Only Two Ways the Makar Deal Ends Up, and One Starts a Chain Reaction

As the Colorado Avalanche close in on a contract extension for Cale Makar, one insider is framing the negotiation in a way that makes this imminent deal a very black-and-white situation: the Makar extension is about changing the NHL landscape.

NHL News / Daily Faceoff / August 27

2026-27 NHL team preview: Colorado Avalanche

(Players marked with Xs on jerseys have not chosen their numbers for 2026-27 yet) For 99 percent of the season, things were going very well for the Colorado Avalanche.

Colorado Avalanche News / The Hockey Writers / August 27

What the Avalanche Can Expect From New Additions

Aside from trying to figure out Cale Makar’s contract extension, the Avalanche are looking forward to the coming season. After a disappointing sweep at the hands of the Vegas Golden Knights, the Avalanche and their Central Division brethren didn’t do a ton.

Colorado Avalanche News / NHL on ClutchPoints / August 24