Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews receives a four-year extension, making him the NHL’s highest-paid player.
The NHL has a new top-paid player.
That title belongs to Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews, who signed a four-year, $53 million contract extension on Wednesday. When the deal goes into effect in 2024-25, its average annual value of $13.25 million will be the highest in the league.
The current record is held by Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, who has earned $12.6 million. He signed an eight-year contract in September 2022, which starts this season. Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid, a three-time Hart Trophy winner for league MVP, is third with $12.5 million.
All three are former No. 1 overall draft picks.
Matthews, who was drafted in 2016, has the most goals in the league since his debut in 2016-17, with 299, two more than Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin. He scored four goals in his first NHL game and finished with 40 goals, earning the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year.
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Matthews, who earns more than $11.6 million per year in his current contract, has also led the league in goals twice, reaching a high of 60 in 2021-22, when he won the Hart Trophy.
“I consider myself fortunate to continue this journey as a Maple Leaf in front of hockey’s best fans! “I will do everything I can to help us get to the top of the mountain,” Matthews wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Last season, the Maple Leafs advanced to the second round for the first time since 2004, but were eliminated by the Florida Panthers.
Matthews’ extension rounds out a busy offseason for the Maple Leafs, who signed Tyler Bertuzzi, Max Domi, and Ryan Reaves to bolster their grit.
William Nylander is in the last year of his contract and is eligible for an extension.
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