Who are the NHL's highest-paid players in 2026-27? See full breakdown

TRENDINGFantasy Football Draft KitNCAAF: Opening week's bestCollege Fantasy Football draft tipsUS Open could get wildLLWS scores, scheduleStory byStory byWho are the NHL's highest-paid players in 2026-27? See full breakdownMike Brehm, USA TODAYFri, August 28, 2026 at 11:07 PM UTC·6 min readAbout Our AdsRecommended StoriesCale Makar’s Record Contract Marks Fourth Landmark NHL Deal in 11 MonthsThe Colorado defenseman’s $20.4 million AAV smashes Celebrini’s record from July.Front Office SportsReport: Cale Makar Closing In On Lucrative Extension With AvalancheThe Colorado Avalanche are closing in on an extension with superstar defenseman Cale Makar, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. The […]Colorado Hockey NowCale Makar Signs Eight-Year, $163.2 Million Deal With Avalanche to Become NHL’s Highest-Paid PlayerCale Makar has already won a Calder Trophy, two Norris Trophies, a Conn Smythe Trophy and a Stanley Cup championship. […]Colorado Hockey NowAdvertisementAdvertisementAvalanche D Cale Makar becomes NHL's first $20M player in massive dealColorado Avalanche standout defenseman Cale Makar signed an eight-year extension with an average value topping $20 million. Here are the details:USA TODAY SportsCale Makar Signs the Richest Contract in NHL HistoryAll Hail Cale!HockeyFeedAvs defenseman Cale Makar signs richest deal in NHL history at $163.2 million over 8 yearsCale Makar and the Colorado Avalanche agreed to a $163.2 million, eight-year extension on Friday that will make him the highest paid player in league history. Makar’s extension is set to be the the richest in NHL history, surpassing the eight-year, $136 million extension signed by Minnesota forward Kirill Kaprizov last September. With an annual average value (AAV) of $20.4 million beginning in 2027-28, Makar’s deal eclipses that of San Jose Sharks superstar Macklin Celebrini, who signed a five-year, $94 million extension in late July and has an $18.8 million AAV.Associated PressWhat does Cale Makar's $163M contract mean for the Wild and Quinn Hughes?Hughes has previously stated he would be open to re-signing with the Wild.BringMeTheSportsReport: Cale Makar Extension Announcement Coming FridayIt appears the Colorado Avalanche are not yet ready to reveal the Cale Makar contract extension. The announcement will instead […]Colorado Hockey NowMajor update on Cale Makar from NHL insider Elliotte FriedmanThe Avalanche and their superstar defenseman appear to be on the verge of locking in a massive long-term deal.HockeyFeedBREAKING NEWS: Avalanche Sign Cale Makar To Record $163.2 Million ContractCale Makar is officially the highest-paid player in NHL history after the Colorado Avalanche signed their superstar defenseman to a record eight-year, $163.2 million extension.The Hockey News - Colorado AvalancheCale Makar, Avalanche agree to 8-year, $163.2 million contract extensionMakar is one of 14 NHL players ever to have won multiple Norris Trophies as the league's top defenseman.Yahoo SportsCelebrini on How New Contract, Record-Setting AAV Came TogetherNothing changes for Macklin Celebrini, even when his record-setting contract extension begins in 2027. Last month, the San Jose Sharks […] The post Celebrini on How New Contract, Record-Setting AAV Came Together appeared first on San Jose Hockey Now.San Jose Hockey NowAvalanche Sign Cale Makar To Historic Eight-Year, $163.2-Million ExtensionThe Colorado Avalanche have gotten their most important piece of work done for the entire NHL off-season, signing two-time Norris Trophy winner Cale Makar to an eight-year extension.The Hockey NewsSharks news: Macklin Celebrini gets real on team-friendly deal with San JoseA few weeks ago, the San Jose Sharks extended Macklin Celebrini , giving him a contract worth $94 million and $18.5 million AAV, starting in 2027-28. Now, Celebrini has dropped a truth bomb about taking the team-friendly deal , according to Max Miller of NHL.com. “That was at the front of my mind throughout the whole negotiation. I want to make […] The post Sharks news: Macklin Celebrini gets real on team-friendly deal with San Jose appeared first on ClutchPoints.ClutchPointsAvalanche news: Cale Makar signs record-breaking $163.2 million extensionThe Colorado Avalanche have finally completed their most important piece of offseason business, re-signing superstar defenseman Cale Makar to a record-breaking eight-year, $163.2 million extension that should keep the Canadian in Denver for most of the rest of his career. Makar will become the NHL’s first $20 million dollar player in terms of […] The post Avalanche news: Cale Makar signs record-breaking $163.2 million extension appeared first on ClutchPoints.ClutchPointsCale Makar Close to Monster Extension; How It Affects Schaefer & The IslandersOne year from now, Matthew Schaefer will be one year away from becoming a restricted free agent on July 1, 2028.The Hockey News - New York IslandersWhat Cale Makar's Record-Breaking $163.2 Million Extension Means For The Wild, Quinn HughesMakar’s massive payday sets a pricey new benchmark for elite defensemen, leaving Minnesota to calculate the staggering cost of locking down superstar Quinn Hughes for the long term.The Hockey News - Minnesota WildCale Makar, Avalanche Extension Reportedly Nearing End ResultNHL insider Elliotte Friedman has stated Cale Makar's extension with the Colorado Avalanche is expected to become official very shortly.Colorado Avalanche On SIHow Will the Cale Makar Deal Impact The Oilers And Evan Bouchard?As Cale Makar prepares to reset the market with a historic extension, Edmonton’s front office must brace for Evan Bouchard’s inevitable—and expensive—demands for a massive payday.The Hockey News - Edmonton Oilers