Makkar became the most expensive hockey player in the NHL
Kanadski hokejist Cale Makar je podpisal osemletno pogodbo z ekipo Colorado Avalanche, vredno več kot 163 milijonov dolarjev, s čimer je postal najdražji igralec v zgodovini NHL. Pogodba mu zagotavlja letno plačo v višini 20,4 milijona dolarjev, kar ga uvrsta med največjo plačo v ligi. Makar je leta 2022 osvojil Stanleyjev pokal in v zadnjih šestih letih vsakih let petkrat bil kandidat za nagrado Norris. Njegova obstoječa pogodba je bila vredna 9 milijonov dolarjev na leto, kar pomeni, da bo brez podaljšanja po sezoni 2026/27 postal prosti igralec. V istem času so druge igralce, kot sta Leo Carlsson in Macklin Celebrini, tudi podpisali velike pogodbe z drugimi klubmi. Najvišje plače v NHL so nižje kot v NBA, MLB ali NFL, pri čemer ima NFL najmanjše povprečne plače zaradi velikega števila igralcev, ki prejema minimalno plačo.
Cale Makar, 27-year-old Canadian defenseman, has become the highest-paid player in NHL history after signing an eight-year contract extension with the Colorado Avalanche worth over $163 million (€140.9 million), according to sports news outlet ESPN. The deal sets a new benchmark in the league, surpassing previous records and marking a significant shift in salary structures within professional hockey. The agreement, which will see Makar earn an annual average of $20.4 million, makes him the first player in NHL history to secure a base salary exceeding $20 million per year. This figure is just slightly below the cap hit determined by the league’s salary ceiling. Makar's new contract comes after he helped the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in 2022 and has been a consistent candidate for the Norris Trophy, awarded annually to the league’s best defensemen, for six consecutive seasons. He has already won the award twice, most recently in 2025. Without this extension, Makar would have become a free agent following the 2026–27 season, when his current contract, valued at $9 million annually, would expire. His new deal ensures his continued presence with the Avalanche through the 2033–34 season, solidifying his role as one of the team’s key contributors. This latest contract follows a trend of substantial financial commitments in the NHL, particularly in the summer of 2026. Other notable deals include those signed by center Leo Carlsson with the Anaheim Ducks and forward Macklin Celebrini with the San Jose Sharks. Carlsson’s five-year contract is worth $90 million, while Celebrini’s deal with the Sharks is projected to pay out $94 million over the same period. Despite these high figures, the top salaries in the NHL remain lower than those in other major American leagues such as the NBA, MLB, and NFL. In the NBA, the average salary for players exceeded $10 million per year as early as 2023, according to data from sports media outlet WSN. Meanwhile, in baseball’s MLB, the average salary hovers around $4.5 million annually, and in the NFL, the average salary is significantly lower due to the large number of players earning minimum wages. In terms of overall compensation, the NHL still ranks higher than the NFL among major American sports leagues. While the NFL employs fewer players, typically around 53 active roster members per team, and many of them receive minimum wages, the NHL maintains a more balanced distribution of earnings. The minimum salary in the NFL ranges from $850,000 to $1.3 million, depending on experience, whereas the NHL does not enforce a strict minimum wage structure. Makar’s record-breaking contract reflects both his individual success and the broader economic trends shaping professional sports. As teams continue to invest heavily in star players, the gap between elite athletes and the rest of the league continues to widen, raising questions about long-term sustainability and competitive balance. However, for now, Makar’s deal stands as a landmark moment in NHL history, underscoring the growing financial stakes in modern professional hockey.
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Na 29. avgust 2026 je kanadski hokejist Cale Makar podaljal pogodbo s Coloradom, ki je trajala osem let in imela vrednost več kot 163 milijonov dolarjev. To ga je uveljavilo kot najdražjega igralca v Ligi NHL. Makar je bil del kanadske olimpijske reprezentance, ki je osvojila srebrno medaljo, in je bil kandidat za nagrado Norris v zadnjih šestih letih. Njegova obstoječa pogodba je bila vredna devet milijonov dolarjev na leto, kar je pomenilo, da bi bil brez podaljškanja postal prosti igralec po sezoni 2026/27. Pogodba je del serije velikih pogodb v letu, ko se je plačna kapica v ligi dvignila, kar je vključevalo tudi podpisanje pogodb centrom Leo Carlssonom in Macklin Celebrini. Najvišje plače v NHL so še vedno nižje od najvišjih v NBA, MLB in NFL.
Bias read (Center): Čeprav je artikel opisoval zelo visoko vrednost pogodbe in primerjal z drugimi ligami, ni uporabljal političnih izrazov ali stališč. Vsebina je bila strogo informativna in ne vključevala politične polemike ali vpliva na javno mnenje. Pogovor je bil enakomeren glede na vsebino in ne vključeval nobenе
Why factuality (85): This article confirms the key facts from the first article, including the contract value, Makar’s role in Canada’s Olympic team, and his achievements with the Avalanche. It provides additional context about his Olympic participation and the outcome of the final game, which is consistent with known i
Why objectivity (85): The article maintains a neutral tone, focusing on reporting the facts without introducing subjective commentary or emotional language. It presents the information objectively, aligning with the standard journalistic approach.
Kanadski hokejist Cale Makar je podpisal osemletno pogodbo z ekipo Colorado Avalanche, vredno več kot 163 milijonov dolarjev, s čimer je postal najdražji igralec v zgodovini NHL. Pogodba mu zagotavlja letno plačo v višini 20,4 milijona dolarjev, kar ga uvrsta med največjo plačo v ligi. Makar je leta 2022 osvojil Stanleyjev pokal in v zadnjih šestih letih vsakih let petkrat bil kandidat za nagrado Norris. Njegova obstoječa pogodba je bila vredna 9 milijonov dolarjev na leto, kar pomeni, da bo brez podaljšanja po sezoni 2026/27 postal prosti igralec. V istem času so druge igralce, kot sta Leo Carlsson in Macklin Celebrini, tudi podpisali velike pogodbe z drugimi klubmi. Najvišje plače v NHL so nižje kot v NBA, MLB ali NFL, pri čemer ima NFL najmanjše povprečne plače zaradi velikega števila igralcev, ki prejema minimalno plačo.
Bias read (Center): Tematika je sportska in ne vključuje političnih ali društvenih sporenj. Člank je objektiven in predstavlja faktske podatke o pogodbah igralcev v NHL, brez nobene stranske oblike ali političnega stališča.
Why factuality (85): The article reports accurately on Cale Makar signing an eight-year contract worth over $163 million with the Colorado Avalanche, making him the highest-paid player in NHL history. It aligns with the cross-source consensus from other articles, including details about his average annual salary, Stanle
Why objectivity (80): The tone remains neutral and informative, presenting facts without overt bias. However, there is some promotional language regarding the significance of the deal and the impact on the league, which slightly reduces objectivity.
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