The Colorado Avalanche have signed star forward Nathan MacKinnon to an eight-year extension worth $12.6 million annually, making him the highest-paid player in the NHL.

The contract, worth $100.8 million in its entirety, doesn't kick in until 2023-24.

MacKinnon is entering the final season of a six-year, $44.1-million ($6.3M AAV) contract signed in 2016.