Avalanche sign MacKinnon to record $12.6M AAV on eight-year extension

The Colorado Avalanche have signed star forward Nathan MacKinnon to an eight-year contract extension which will make him the highest-paid player per year in NHL history.

MacKinnon will carry an average annual value of $12.6 million on the deal, which will begin in the 2023-24 NHL season. The total value of the contract is $100.8 million, which TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun reports includes $85.34 million in signing bonus money.

The 27-year-old will surpass Connor McDavid, who currently has the league's highest cap hit at $12.5 million.

Nathan MacKinnon contract structure: 23-24: $15.725M signing bonus, $775k salary 24-25: $15.725M SB, $775k salary 25-26: $15.25M SB, $800k salary 26-27: $3M SB, $9.15M salary 27-28 through 30-31: $8.91M SB, $990k salary each year AAV $12.6 M

“Nathan is obviously one of the premier players in the NHL so a long-term extension was something we wanted to get done before the season started,” Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland said.  “He has that rare combination of speed and power with a high compete level that makes him a generational player.  We are thrilled he will continue to be a member of this team and this community for many years to come.”

MacKinnon, who is entering the final season of a seven-year, $44.1 million contract with an average annual value of $6.3 million, said last week he was ready to move past the title of the NHL's most underpaid star.

“I think the deal I sign will be fair,” MacKinnon said at the NHL Player Media Tour. “It’s not going to be a single digit or anything, but it’ll be good for both sides and Denver is the only place I want to be. I’d like to be an Av for life.”

MacKinnon is fresh off leading the Avalanche to the Stanley Cup in June, tallying 13