By signing a four-year deal worth more than $13 million a year, forward Auston Matthews will become the highest-paid player in the entire National Hockey League (NHL) from 2024-2025, dethroning millions-plus Nathan MacKinnon and Connor McDavid.
The lucrative deal for the No. 34 Maple Leafs won’t take effect until after next season is over, but it has set new salary standards in the NHL. Here’s a look at the highest-paid players in the Bettman scene following the announcement of Matthews’ contract extension.
• Also read: Monster contract for Auston Matthews, who becomes the highest-paid player in the NHL
• Also read: Signing Auston Matthews: That’s what the Leafs captain thinks
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1- Auston Matthews, $13.25 million
During his career with the Maple Leafs, the Toronto team’s star player recorded 299 goals and 542 points in 481 games played.
It wasn’t until 2022 that Matthews finished the season with 60 goals on the clock and the Hart Trophy in his pocket. The number 34 has hit the 30-goal mark in each of his NHL seasons. He also leads the league in goals scored since arriving in October 2016, with two more than a certain Alexander Ovechkin.
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2- Nathan MacKinnon, $12.6 million
Before Auston Matthews took the top spot for highest-paid skaters, MacKinnon was at the top.
The Colorado Avalanche forward signed a contract worth more than $100 million in September 2022. His influence on the success of the Avalanche is undeniable, lifting the big trophy a few months before the deal with the star player.
The impressive center player had the best season of his career in 2022-2023 with 111 points in 71 games.
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3- Connor McDavid, $12.5 million
While he continues to rack up records and trophies, MacKinnon and Matthews easily surpass McDavid in the seal of approval he receives annually.
The Edmonton Oilers captain signed his eight-year, $12.5 million per year contract in July 2017, when the NHL’s salary cap was estimated at $75 million, more than $7 million than the current salary cap of 83 $.5 million.
McDavid is entering his eighth season as a pro and could well reach 1,000 points in his career if he stays healthy. He currently has 850 in 569 games.
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4- Artemi Panarin, $11.642 million
Unlike the above names, Artemi Panarin signed his contract under very different circumstances when he himself was in full control of his destiny.
Panarin signed as a free agent with the New York Rangers in the summer of 2019. Since signing his eight-year contract worth more than $11 million, the former Chicago Blackhawks and Blues Columbus Jackets have been at the top of the blueshirts year after year. top scorer.
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5- Erik Karlsson, $11.640 million
Until recently, the attacking quarterback had failed to honor that luxurious 2019 contract.
Many injuries are likely to have caused him to miss more than fifty games in three years. In the first three years after his new contract, Erik Karlsson had accumulated 97 points in 58 games. The new Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman broke that record in a single season this year with 101 points on the clock.
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6- David Pastrnak, $11.25 million
The Boston Bruins’ top scorer is the youngest player to have his name included on this list.
Pastrnak agreed the terms of a new eight-year deal last March as he enjoyed the best season of his young career. The 27-year-old winger finished just behind McDavid, who scored the most goals, at 61.
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7- John Tavares and Drew Doughty, $11 million
A forward and a defender share the seventh highest paid player rank.
Tavares busted the bench when he signed with the Maple Leafs in July 2018. He has been the team’s captain ever since, but his contract remains under criticism to this day.
Same story on Drew Doughty’s side with the Los Angeles Kings. Both players are established veterans with solid careers, but they earn salaries that may seem high for their respective accomplishments.
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9 – Mitch Marner, $10.903 million
The third Maple Leafs player on this list is forward Mitch Marner. Marner, who was criticized for his contribution to the playoffs, silenced his critics with his offensive performance last spring.
Even though the Leafs have finally managed to put an end to their first-round demons, the result remains the same and the pressure on the team’s stars is at its highest. Marner is one of those players who needs to continually improve their game to allow Torontonians to dream a little.
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10- Jonathan Huberdeau, $10.5 million
Author of a dream 2021-2022 season with the Florida Panthers, it was quite the opposite in Jonathan Huberdeau’s freshman year in Calgary.
The Quebecer couldn’t find the scoring that had allowed him to reach the 115-point plateau the season before.
The main prospect himself wants to get back on his feet in 2023-2024. Under a new head coach, the entire team will benefit from the winds of change in Calgary and Huberdeau could be the first to benefit.