{
  "id": 4727887,
  "title": "Cale Makar embraces the pressure of extension with Avs that makes him league's highest paid player",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/cale-makar-embraces-the-pressure-of-extension-with-avs-that-makes-him",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-31T22:16:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/cale-makar-embraces-pressure-extension-221625482.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Cale Makar, the Colorado Avalanche's standout defenseman, has signed an eight-year, $163.2 million extension, making him the highest-paid player in NHL history. The 27-year-old, who won the Norris Trophy twice, expressed that he welcomes the pressure that comes with being the league's top-earning player. Makar said, \"I’m a guy that just puts a lot of pressure on myself to do well year in, year out. It’s going to make me even push myself a little bit more.\" The Avalanche's front office, led by Hall of Fame forward Joe Sakic, downplayed concerns about the team becoming too star-heavy, emphasizing that success requires more than just superstars. Makar's new salary of $20.4 million in 2027-28 will account for approximately 18% of the projected salary cap.",
  "summary": "The title is still sinking in for Cale Makar — highest paid player in NHL history. With it, of course, comes great expectations for the Colorado Avalanche standout defenseman. “I’m a guy that just puts a lot of pressure on myself to do well year in, year out,” Makar said Monday at a news conference on the heels of a deal he signed late last week that will keep him with Colorado through the…",
  "key_points": [
    "Cale Makar signs 8-year, $163.2M extension with Avalanche",
    "Makes him highest-paid player in NHL history",
    "Welcomes pressure to push himself more"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Cale Makar embraces the pressure of extension with Avs that makes him league’s highest paid player",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/cale-makar-embraces-the-pressure-of-extension-with-avs-that-makes-him-4731435",
        "published": "2026-08-31T22:17:07.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}