Makar signs eight-year, $163.2M deal, richest in NHL history

The $20.4M cap hit starts in 2027-28.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Aug 281 min read

What happened: The extension carries a $20.4 million annual average value. His current $9 million cap hit runs through the upcoming 2026-27 season.

Why it matters: The deal makes Makar the first NHL player with a cap hit above $20 million. It establishes a new benchmark for elite-player contracts as the salary cap rises.

By the numbers: The $20.4 million annual value represents 17.97% of the projected $113.5 million salary cap for 2027-28.

What to watch: Makar enters the final season of his current contract before the extension takes effect.

Sources

Yahoo Sports 2026-08-28T23:41:58.978642+00:00

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