Last August, Matthews signed a four-year extension that saw him become the highest paid player in NHL history on a per-season basis. Matthews' new deal kicks in this season, his first as the captain of the Maple Leafs. His four-year extension comes with an AAV of $13.25M, surpassing Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon by a mile for highest salary per season.
It appears that Matthews won't be holding that title much longer, however, as the '2 Mutts' podcast has reported that Draisaitl is expected to sign a mammoth, 8-year extension with the Oilers that will come in around $14M per season. Draisaitl is entering the final year of the 8-year deal he signed in 2017 that carried an $8.5M cap hit, that he vastly outperformed.
**UPDATE -- Done deal between Draisatil and the Oilers. 8 years, $112M in total. $14M per season.**
Coming off of a Stanley Cup Finals appearance and his third consecutive 100+ point, 40+ goal season and fifth of each in the past six seasons, it is no surprise that Draisaitl is going to become the league's highest paid player for at least the next two seasons.
Source: PuckPedia Auston Matthews Contract, Leon Draisaitl Contract
POLL | ||
3 SEPTEMBRE | 242 ANSWERS Leon Draisaitl to replace Auston Matthews as highest paid NHLer of all-time with lofty new deal Do you think Auston Matthews took a discount when he signed his contract? | ||
Yes | 103 | 42.6 % |
No | 139 | 57.4 % |
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