NHL stars Connor Bedard and Cale Makar spark historic salary‑cap surge

The NHL offseason has seen a dramatic rise in player salaries. Chicago’s Connor Bedard, a restricted free agent, is reportedly targeting a contract worth $17 million per season—the current highest salary paid to Minnesota Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov—while insiders suggest his agents could push the figure to as much as $20.8 million. At the same time, Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar enters the final year of a six‑year, $9 million‑per‑season deal and could become the league’s highest‑paid player if he commands a new contract near the $19 million mark.

Recent benchmark contracts include Bowen Byram’s $12.5 million‑per‑season deal with the Chicago Blackhawks and a hostile $18 million offer sheet to Ducks forward Leo Carlsson. These deals have reset expectations for top‑tier talent and are driving negotiations across the league as teams and agents navigate a rapidly expanding salary cap environment.