The contractThe Colorado Avalanche signed defenseman Cale Makar to an eight-year extension with a $20.4 million AAV.Sean Gentille: Maybe you saw this coming when Bowen Byram, a No. 3 defenseman with some degree of untapped potential, signed with the Chicago Blackhawks for six years and $75 million.Maybe it was when Leo Carlsson, a 21-year-old center talented enough to show up on Hart Trophy ballots in the very near future, guaranteed that he’d be paid $18 million a season by either the Philadelphia Flyers or Anaheim Ducks.Maybe it was when Makar, via the Avalanche’s official X account, looked into a camera and said the words “nine years.”At some point over the last few months, though, it should’ve become clear: Makar was destined to sign the largest contract in NHL history, and on Friday, that destiny was fulfilled.We’ll cut to the chase here: It would be impossible for any team, at any time, to sign Makar and not come out on top. At 27, he’s got a puncher’s chance of finishing his career as the best player of his generation and as one of the few best defensemen of all time. You do not negotiate with guys like that. You ask them how much money they’d like, and you thank them for the privilege of payment. Makar, for the record, was technically allowed to sign for $20.8 million a year. Hopefully the Avs can use that $400,000 on something nice.Think of it this way: We live in a world where a defenseman such as Byram — a flawed, unproven player whose value is mostly theoretical — is an OK bet at $12 million annually. Where does that put Makar? How much more could a team reasonably pay someone who, even after a down season, remains the consensus top defenseman in the league? Credit to Quinn Hughes for continuing to significantly close the gap, but the gap still exists, owing to Makar’s ability to tilt the ice in all three zones and influence play with or without the puck. Watch his highlights, crack into his advanced stats, ask an NHL person, and the answer won’t change. Makar isn’t just special — he’s the best. And now, he’s paid accordingly.