Cale Makar just became the highest-paid player in NHL history, but according to Ryan Whitney, even that price tag undersells him — and his comments will surely spark reactions from fans.
Makar signed an eight-year, $163.2 million extension with the Colorado Avalanche this offseason, making him the richest player in league history by average annual value. On the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast, Whitney made it clear he doesn’t think the number goes far enough.
“163 million dollars. At this point, who cares if it’s 160 or 164… The guy, I said it straight away, underpaid. I don’t know what else to say,” Whitney said.
Ryan Whitney on Cale Makar
Whitney didn’t stop there, making the case that Cale Makar belongs in the conversation for best player in the league, not just best defenseman.
“I had analytical people say: ‘What are you talking about?’, but I’m going eye test on this guy, boys. He is, I think, the second best player in the league, if we’re giving McDavid number one. MacKinnon is right there. But either way, he’s the greatest defenseman, and one of the greatest defensemen to ever play. The things he does on the ice; his skating, his vision, he competes like a beep. He’s just a dream player. He was built in a lab. I love watching the Avs mainly because of him, and it’s incredible what he does,” Whitney said.
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Co-host Keith Yandle backed him up, framing Cale Makar’s value in terms of a hypothetical franchise draft.
“If you ask 32 GMs who they’re going to start their team with, it’s either gonna be McDavid or him, right? He’s done everything, he’s won trophies, he’s won individual awards, there’s just nothing that he doesn’t do in this game,” Yandle said.
Between the record-setting deal and the praise from two former NHL players, it’s clear Makar’s game is operating on a level very few players in the league can match.
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