Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes are entering the final season of their six-year contracts during the 2026-27 NHL season [1, 2].
The upcoming negotiations for these two elite defensemen are expected to reset the market for salaries across the league. As two of the most impactful players at their position, their new deals will likely establish the ceiling for future defensive contracts.
Both players become eligible for contract extensions on July 1, 2027 [2]. While they have provided immense value to their respective teams, the current pay scale is far below their projected market value. For example, Quinn Hughes carries a salary of $7.85 million for the 2026-27 season [1].
The broader NHL financial landscape is shifting as cap hits continue to rise. Recent figures show Macklin Celebrini carries a cap hit of $18.8 million [3]. This upward trend suggests that the next generation of superstars will command figures previously unseen in professional hockey.
There is ongoing debate regarding who will be the first player to reach a $20 million annual cap hit [3]. Some analysts said that the market-resetting contracts for Makar and Hughes could be among the largest ever for defensemen [1]. However, other reports said that Connor McDavid is the more likely candidate to be the first player to reach the $20 million mark [3].
Regardless of who hits that specific milestone first, the extensions for Makar and Hughes will dictate how teams budget for top-tier defensive talent. The timing of these deals coincides with a period of significant growth in the league's salary cap, allowing teams more flexibility to pay premium prices for generational talent.
“Their potential contracts are expected to reset the market for NHL defensemen salaries.”
The convergence of these two high-profile extensions with a rising salary cap creates a 'perfect storm' for NHL payrolls. If Makar or Hughes secure deals nearing the $15 million to $20 million range, it will force teams to either overpay for secondary defensemen or pivot their roster construction to avoid being priced out of the market for elite blue-liners.
