Morning Chirps: Makar hits the jackpot, a look around the Central Division

Friday was another day chalked full of Chicago Blackhawks content. Plus, the richest contract in National Hockey League history was signed by a Central Division rival. Start off your weekend by catching up on all of it with today’s Morning Chirps!

Blackhawks Chirps

• Let’s start by looking ahead to the upcoming season, as Brooke LoFurno looks into what needs to happen for Frank Nazar to bust out in 2026-27.

• Our newest contributor, Rhys Jones, says Patrick Kane could help Nick Lardis reach the next level in his game.

• Taking a look around the Central Division, Ryan Gagne ranked which teams are under the most pressure heading into the 2026-27 season. He also tackled how Connor Hellebuyck possibly leaving the Central Division could benefit the Blackhawks for years to come.

• Our Blackhawks Number History series continued with Nos. 61-70.

• With opening night being one month away, we looked at what still needs to be addressed on yesterday’s CHGO Blackhawks Podcast.

• Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, Aug. 29: Max Quackenbush and Antti Niemi.

NHL Chirps

• We got rumblings on Thursday that Cale Makar and the Colorado Avalanche were nearing a contract extension. On Friday, they agreed to a monstrous deal, and the superstar defenseman signed an eight-year, $163.2 million contract. His $20.4 million AAV is the highest in NHL history, breaking the old mark of $18.8 million set by Macklin Celebrini just a few weeks ago. He is the first $20 million player, and it’s hard to argue that he doesn’t deserve it. Makar has been the highest-scoring defenseman since entering the NHL.

• Now that Makar has set the market, we’ll see what happens with Quinn Hughes and the Minnesota Wild. Can they still afford him after this, or will he take less money to remain in the Twin Cities? By the time Bowen Byram's new $12.5 million salary kicks in after this season, his AAV will look downright reasonable.

• Former Blackhawks forward Reese Johnson re-signed with the Toronto Marlies, inking a two-year AHL contract. He was a part of the Marlies’ Calder Cup championship last season after coming over from the Wild at the 2025 trade deadline.

• NHL Birthday Roll Call, Aug. 29: Aurele Jolait, Brian Glennie, Doug Sulliman, Shaun Van Allen, Jonas Hoglund, and Martin Erat.

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