NHL contract grades: Cale Makar hits $20 million, and who can fault the Avalanche?

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar, a two-time Norris Trophy winner, signed an eight-year contract extension on Friday with an average annual value of $20.4 million, making him the highest-paid player in NHL history. The 27-year-old's deal surpasses recent high-profile signings across the league, including Bowen Byram's six-year, $75 million deal and Leo Carlsson's $18 million per season contract. The signing was widely anticipated and fulfills what many saw as an inevitable milestone in NHL contract history.