The dust has begun to settle on Cale Makar’s massive eight-year contract. And as it does, more and more thoughts begin to emerge about what the contract means for the Avalanche as a team and as an organization.
The bottom line is that Makar’s contract is a watershed moment for the Avalanche.
Signing Makar to the contract they did, and spending the money that it took to lock up the NHL’s best defenseman shows that Colorado is committed to winning. The organization has sent the right message to fans: It will not spare any expense to keep the team relevant.
That’s what paying Cale Makar $20 million a season means.
For folks looking from the outside, Makar’s cap hit is eye-watering. Some have even begun to nitpick about every Tom, Dick, and Harry having a better contract than Cale Makar.
But let’s face it: There is no other 27-year-old Norris Trophy winner out there making the league minimum. The Avalanche knew they had to pay, and so they did.
That’s what this means. It means that the team’s ownership isn’t going to go the el cheapo route. They are fully vested in making sure the Avalanche have the firepower to win this season and beyond.
Makar contract means a “before and after” for Avalanche
When the Avalanche signed Nathan MacKinnon to the deal they did, it was a crucial watershed moment. It eventually led to the loss of Mikko Rantanen, given the uncertain cap situation at the time.
Making MacKinnon the highest-paid player in the NHL at the time signaled that Colorado understood what its priorities were. And the organization wasn’t about to lose MacKinnon over dollars and cents.
That deal seems like ages ago now.
That same before-and-after moment happened on Friday. Locking Makar to the deal they did meant that Colorado had little choice but to make their superstar defenseman the highest-paid player in the league.
The difference between MacKinnon and Makar’s contracts is essentially time. Had Makar’s deal been due two years ago, the cap hit would have been much lower. But the rising cap and the sudden spike in player salaries led to this momentous contract value.
But bear this in mind: Salary inflation could continue to rise in the NHL. In a couple of seasons, even run-of-the-mill blueliners will be getting over $10 million per season. When that happens, Makar’s contract will actually look cheap.
Anyone who doesn’t believe that should look at MacKinnon's contract now. Would anyone say that his $12.6 million cap hit is onerous?
It’s amazing how much things can change in a couple of seasons.
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