Cale Makar is on the verge of signing what could be the richest contract in NHL history. According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, the Colorado Avalanche and their superstar defenseman are closing in on a long-term extension, with only the term — seven years under the new CBA rules versus the previous eight-year max — left to resolve. For hockey card collectors in Canada and beyond, this is a pivotal moment that could send Makar card prices surging.
What We Know About the Makar Extension
Makar, 27, is entering the final year of his six-year, $54 million contract ($9 million AAV) signed in July 2021. He is now eligible for an extension, and Avalanche President of Hockey Operations Joe Sakic has been unequivocal: "Cale is going to finish his career here." The Avalanche front office has made the extension their top offseason priority.
The new NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement, which takes effect September 16, 2026, changes the landscape significantly. Under the new CBA, teams can only extend their own players for a maximum of seven years (down from eight), while free agents can sign for a maximum of six years. The salary cap has risen to $104 million for the 2026-27 season, meaning the maximum AAV any player can earn is approximately $20.8 million — 20 percent of the cap.
Makar is coming off a season where he added to his already Hall of Fame-calibre resume. He became the first player in history to win the Hobey Baker Award, Norris Trophy, and Conn Smythe Trophy in their career. He served as alternate captain for the Avalanche and for Team Canada at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
Why This Matters for Hockey Card Values
When a superstar player signs a landmark contract, their card values typically respond in one of two ways: a short-term spike on the news, followed by a sustained floor if the deal provides long-term stability. Makar's extension checks both boxes.
Stability drives value. A seven-year deal means Makar will be in Colorado through his mid-30s, the prime of his career. Collectors and investors prefer certainty. When a player's team situation is settled, there is less downside risk on card values. Compare this to the uncertainty that surrounded players like Patrick Roy or Ray Bourque before their trades — their cards often softened until the situation resolved.
Records and milestones boost demand. If Makar's AAV approaches or reaches the $20 million range, he will hold the title of highest-paid defenseman in NHL history. That kind of headline drives casual fans to search for his cards, increasing demand from new entrants into the hobby.
Olympics and international exposure. Makar's visibility at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina introduced him to a global audience. Canadian collectors already know him well, but international exposure expands the market for his cards beyond North America.
Which Cale Makar Cards Should Canadian Collectors Buy?
Card Source Canada currently has several Cale Makar cards in stock, and they represent some of the best options for collectors looking to invest before the extension is announced:
- 2023-24 Upper Deck #295 Cale Makar — A modern base card from Upper Deck's flagship hockey product. Affordable and a great entry point for new collectors.
- 2022-23 Upper Deck #HC-25 Cale Makar 1999-00 Upper Deck Retro History Class — This card pays homage to the iconic 1999-00 Upper Deck design, making it popular with both vintage and modern collectors.
- 2022-23 Upper Deck #DM-13 Defense Mechanisms Cale Makar — A themed insert that highlights Makar's defensive prowess, appealing to collectors who value niche inserts.
- 2021-22 Upper Deck Tim Hortons #82 Cale Makar — A Canadian exclusive distributed through Tim Hortons restaurants, this card has special appeal for Canadian collectors and is harder to find outside of Canada.
Should You Grade Your Makar Cards Before the Extension?
If you are holding raw Makar cards, the period before a major contract announcement is an excellent time to consider grading. Here is why:
Timing the market. Grading submissions through PSA, BGS, or SGC typically take 4-8 weeks at value service levels. If you submit now, your cards will return around the time the extension is announced, positioning you to sell into the news-driven demand spike at peak prices.
Condition sensitivity. Modern Upper Deck cards from 2021-22 and 2022-23 are condition-sensitive, with centering and surface issues common. A PSA 10 or BGS 9.5 can command a significant premium over raw cards — often 2-3x or more for star players.
Canadian grading options. Card Source Canada provides guidance on submitting cards to all major grading companies from Canada. Check out our grading guide for detailed instructions on how to submit your Makar cards.
The Bigger Picture: NHL Defenseman Card Market
Makar's extension will reset the market for defenseman cards across the board. When Bobby Orr's rookie card set records at auction, it lifted the entire vintage defenseman card market. Similarly, when Erik Karlsson won his Norris Trophies, his card values carried the modern defenseman market.
Other Avalanche cards to watch include the broader Colorado Avalanche inventory, which includes 18 active cards on Card Source Canada. As the team continues to build around Makar, secondary stars like Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen also see card value appreciation.
How to Buy Makar Cards from Canada
Card Source Canada ships hockey cards nationwide from Moncton, New Brunswick, with Canada's most affordable card shipping rates: just $1.50 for the first card and $0.50 for each additional card, with free shipping on orders of 5 or more cards. This makes it easy and cost-effective for Canadian collectors to build their Cale Makar collection.
Browse our full selection of Cale Makar cards and Colorado Avalanche cards today. With the extension announcement expected imminently, now is the time to add Makar cards to your collection before prices potentially surge.
Key Takeaways for Collectors
- Makar's extension is expected to be the richest for a defenseman in NHL history, driving card demand
- Seven-year term under the new CBA provides long-term stability for card values
- Canadian-exclusive cards like the Tim Hortons issue have additional scarcity value
- Grading raw cards now positions you to sell into the news-driven price spike
- Card Source Canada offers affordable shipping on all hockey cards across Canada
Whether you are a long-time Makar collector or just starting to build your hockey card portfolio, this contract extension represents one of the most significant value catalysts of 2026. Don't wait for the headline to buy — by then, the market will have already moved.
