Quinn Hughes and Cale Makar are both Norris Trophy-winning defensemen and are two of the most important parts for their respective teams. On one hand, Hughes has transformed the Minnesota Wild into a formidable force, while Makar has aided the Colorado Avalanche with his all-around performance.
The two of them are scheduled to have their contracts expire later this year, and rumors about their new contracts have already surfaced. The market value for their contract will be determined by whoever signs the contract first, as then the other one would ask for a better offer from their respective teams.
In a report, an anonymous NHL insider discussed their prospective contracts, which could range from $18-20 million every season. According to The Athletic, the insider claimed:
“It depends on the term, and it depends on if they go to marketplace. If Makar’s going to stay in Colorado, he’s going to make less than he would by not staying. If he put himself out to market, there would be a team that would give him $20 million. If Quinn Hughes goes to open market, he could get $18-20 million. But it really depends on where. Do you want to make $20 million on a losing team or do you want to make $15 million on Minnesota, who always makes the playoffs and has a shot?”
According to the same report by The Athletic, another insider indicated that the two of them may sign a $15 million per year contract for at least three to four years.
A recent report claims that Quinn Hughes is now speculated to be on the verge of signing one of the largest contracts in NHL history, potentially making him the highest-paid NHL defenseman ever. If this occurs, it is possible that Cale Makar will demand a larger contract, shattering the defenseman market.
How Have Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes Performed Thus Far in the 2025-26 Season?
This past year, Quinn Hughes had one of his best seasons yet. He had seven goals and 69 assists for a total of 76 points in 74 games. Hughes spends roughly 27 minutes or more on the ice every game, which has resulted in some of his +/- metrics (currently at -4) being lower than others.
His goal scoring has dropped significantly this season compared to his earlier season, but his playmaking has kept him among the league’s top.
Cale Makar, on the other hand, has not had as much playmaking success as Hughes, but he has scored some impressive goals. He has appeared in 73 games this season, scoring 20 goals and assisting 55 times for a total of 75 points.
Interestingly, he has a +/- of +29, which is far greater than Quinn Hughes. Makar has been fairly consistent since the first few games of the season, making him a more valuable player for his team.
While the two have quite distinct game styles, they have had an equal overall impact on their respective teams.
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