Avs' Cale Makar embracing pressure after inking record deal

Cale Makar said he welcomes the pressure that comes with becoming the highest-paid player in NHL history after signing a $163.2 million, eight-year extension with the Avalanche. The deal kicks in next season and keeps Makar with Colorado through the 2034-35 season.

"I'm a guy that just puts a lot of pressure on myself to do well year in, year out," Makar said Monday at a news conference.

Makar's new salary of $20.4 million in 2027-28 will take up roughly 18% of the projected salary cap that season, when MacKinnon is slated to have a cap hit of $12.6 million and Martin Necas $11.5 million. Avalanche executive Joe Sakic downplayed the notion the contract could make the team too top heavy, saying "you can't win without superstars" while also stressing the need for depth.

Sakic pointed to the Western Conference finals, when Makar missed the first two games because of an upper-body injury and returned for the final two not at full strength as the Avalanche were swept by the Golden Knights. "That definitely hurt. I mean, it's a big reason why we were 0-2, and a big reason why we lost the series," Sakic said.

Sakic called including a no-movement clause in the deal a no-brainer, saying Makar "has the right and should have the right to dictate where he wants to play for his entire career." Makar, who had 20 goals and 59 assists last season, said signing for eight years provided clarity on the team's direction.