Joining the Colorado Avalanche fresh out of college during the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs, Cale Makar wasted no time making an impact. He's gone on to become the best defenseman in the league and the prototype for smaller, highly skilled puck-moving blueliners who are increasing the pace of today's game.
Following his rookie season in 2019-20, Makar would take home the Calder Memorial Trophy with 50 points in 57 games. As a sophomore during the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season, he was named to the First All-Star Team and was a finalist for the James Norris Memorial Trophy.
Following that season, the Avalanche wasted no time getting Makar re-signed, inking him to a six-year, $54 million contract. It has thus far proved to be a cost-effective deal.
Since signing that contract, Makar established himself as the league's top defenseman by winning the Norris Trophy in 2021-22 and was named to the First All-Star Team for the second time. He also took home the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP during the Avalanche's Stanley Cup championship run.
Despite missing 22 games to injury last season, Makar still finished with 66 points in 60 games, was a finalist for the Norris, and made the Second All-Star Team. He's currently jockeying with Vancouver's Quinn Hughes for the scoring lead among NHL defensemen.
Makar's $9 million AAV currently ranks ninth among all NHL defensemen. However, he is outperforming most of those ahead of him. Given what he's accomplished thus far, his contract should be considered the most team-friendly. It will be even more so as the 25-year-old enters his playing prime while the salary cap rises during that period.
