Colorado Avalanche: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Cale Makar Officially Ready to Be With Avalanche for Remainder of Career

On Aug. 28, it was announced that Cale Makar made history with the Colorado Avalanche, signing the richest contract in NHL. The defenseman signed an eight-year, $163.2 million contract at 27 years old — with the deal slated to begin next season with a $20.4 million Average Annual Value (AAV).

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Why Avalanche making Cale Makar the highest-paid player in NHL history was a no-brainer

The Colorado Avalanche made history recently with their new contract for Cale Makar. The Avalanche defenseman is set to earn $20.4 million per season, making him the highest-paid player in league history.

Colorado Avalanche News / NHL Trade Talk / August 30

Hockey’s Getting More Expensive to Watch, And Colorado Bet Big

Something bigger is happening in the NHL right now, and it’s worth stepping back to see the whole picture. Toronto Maple Leafs tickets for 2026-27 just

Cale Makar News / NHL Trade Talk / August 30

3 'Would You Rather' Questions Following Cale Makar’s New Deal

The minute Cale Makar signed an eight-year extension for $20.4 million per season, reactions were split on whether this was a great deal or a not-so-great one.

San Jose Sharks News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The ''EA NHL,'' covers since 2000' quiz

How many of the players to grace the cover of each EA NHL video game going back to 'NHL 2000?"

The 'First-overall NHL Draft picks' quiz

The 'Conn Smythe Trophy winners' quiz

The 'Most NHL goals all-time' quiz

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 Trade Talk / August 29

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 / Colorado Avalanche On SI / August 29

Inside Cale Makar's Record-Shattering Contract With the Avalanche

The Colorado Avalanche just made Cale Makar the highest-paid player in NHL history. At first glance, the numbers are almost impossible to comprehend, eight years, $163.2 million with a $20.4 million average annual value.

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 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 / 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.

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The 'FBS college football nicknames' quiz

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The 'Switch-hitter 35-HR seasons' quiz

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 / 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.

Six potential trade destinations for Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck

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

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

Ranking the Western Conference's biggest winners this summer

Ranking the Eastern Conference's biggest winners this summer

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

Top Vezina Trophy candidates for 2026

Ranking the Western Conference's biggest winners this summer

Ranking the Eastern Conference's biggest winners this summer

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.

Mackenzie Blackwood News / The Hockey Writers / August 18