The Makar Market: Why the NHL's Newest $20 Million Man is Redefining the Franchise Blueprint
AI-generated image · US National Wire
Cale Makar isn't just dominating the blueline for the Colorado Avalanche; he's shifting the valuation of elite defensemen across the league and the collectibles market.
For decades, the NHL's financial and cultural hierarchy has been dominated by the goal-scorers. The league's premier offensive threats—names like Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, and the San Jose Sharks' Macklin Celebrini—have traditionally held the keys to the most lucrative contracts and the highest demand in the hobby. But as reported by Sports Illustrated, Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar has become the first $20 million player in NHL history, signaling a generational shift in how the league values its franchise cornerstones.
**Opinion:** Makar is no longer just a defensive powerhouse; he is the blueprint for the modern NHL superstar. By blending elite defensive reliability with offensive creation, he has forced the league and the collector market to price in a new kind of value: the two-way defenseman who dictates the game at both ends.
According to reporting from Sports Illustrated, Makar's resume justifies this valuation. The 27-year-old boasts 507 points over 470 career games and a trophy case featuring two Norris Trophies, a Conn Smythe, a Calder, and a Stanley Cup. While the hockey-card market has historically gravitated toward "lamp-lighting heroics," Makar has become a rare exception, ascending to a level of collectibility usually reserved for the league's top scorers.
This shift in perception is reflected in the hard data provided by Card Ladder, as cited by Sports Illustrated. The most prestigious assets in Makar's catalog have reached staggering heights. His 2019 Upper Deck Exquisite NHL Shield, featuring a jersey logo and signature, sold for $22,800 on April 30, 2022. Similarly, a 2019 Upper Deck Ultimate Collection Rookie Tandem Shields card, pairing Makar with teammate Nathan MacKinnon, fetched $16,800 in June 2022.
Beyond the high-end rarities, the broader market is trending upward. Sports Illustrated reports that a PSA 10 Cale Makar Young Guns card has climbed 46.27% over the past year. While these flagship rookie cards are more accessible than the one-of-one patches, they serve as the hobby's measuring stick for star power. A BGS 9.5 version of the card recently sold for $415 on August 30, marking its highest price in two years.
Other premium assets continue to command a significant markup. A PSA 10 Future Watch Auto from SP Authentic, numbered to 999, is estimated by Card Ladder to be worth $3,160. Even more exclusive is Makar's true RPA from The Cup, limited to 99 copies, which has seen public sales as high as $13.6K.
As the Colorado Avalanche remain a Stanley Cup favorite, the ceiling for Makar's value continues to rise. Whether it is the $20 million annual salary or the surge in rookie card prices, the industry is finally acknowledging that a defenseman capable of influencing the game without the puck is just as valuable as the players putting it in the net.