Auston Matthews will enter the NHL 2019-20 NHL season as the league’s second highest paid player (as of right now), but his new contract is structured in a war that might surprise hockey fans. On Tuesday, TSN’s Bob McKenzie reported that the 21-year-old and the Maple Leafs agreed to a five-year extension with an $11.634 million total annual salary. However, the majority of the contract will be paid in signing bonuses.
In fact, roughly 93% of it will be.
Matthews will receive a staggering $30.4 million in hist first two season and will be eligible to become an unrestricted free agent at just 26. If he plays his cards right he could theoretically be able to sign to more deals with the same length if he chooses to. He’ll now become the highest paid player on the Leafs.
Speaking of Tavares… his contract includes a similar structure. The 28-year-old signed an 11-year deal worth $77 million this past summer, 92% (roughly $71 million) of which will come by way of signing bonuses. So why are players like Matthews and Tavares following this route? One of the key reasons has to do with the NHL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. The CBA expires prior to the 2020-21 season and in the case of a lockout, signing bonuses are still guaranteed. Annual salaries, however, are not, so Auston will still be sitting comfortably if worse comes to worse.
With Matthews off the to-do list, the Leafs will focus their attention towards teammate Mitch Marner.
Can they make it all work?
(H/T Bob McKenzie)
