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Auston Matthews might have still been the highest-paid player in the NHL had he signed a long-term contract extension with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
That’s a question worth exploring in light of Leon Draisaitl’s massive eight-year contract extension announced on Tuesday. According to PuckPedia, Draisaitl’s new extension comes with a $14 million AAV.
Draisaitl’s new contract surpasses Auston Matthews’ $13.25 million AAV. While Matthews will still be the highest-paid NHLer this upcoming season, Draisaitl will take over the top spot in 2025-26 when his extension kicks in.
Whether Auston Matthews would have made more money had he signed a long-term deal is debatable. Let’s assume Matthews had signed an eight-year deal instead of four. Ostensibly, the Toronto Maple Leafs would have wanted a lower AAV by extending the contract’s term.
Nevertheless, the Matthews camp would have wanted a higher AAV considering that the Salary Cap ceiling is likely to go up in the coming seasons.
Of course, it’s entirely possible that Matthews would have gotten at least $14 million AAV. Nevertheless, the Leafs had to consider Mitch Marner’s looming contract extension in much the same way the Oilers had to consider Connor McDavid’s.
The fact is that Matthews forced the Leafs into a short-term deal, as a long-term extension would have likely been his last NHL deal. By signing a four-year deal, Matthews is set to become a UFA at age 30, while Draisaitl’s eight-year extension makes him a UFA at 37.
Ultimately, Matthews assured himself one last big payday if he can keep up the incredible pace he has played at since entering the league.
Auston Matthews would have eventually been bested by McDavid
Let’s assume that Matthews had signed an eight-year extension with an AAV of at least $14 million. That deal would have made Matthews the highest-paid NHLer until Connor McDavid’s new extension.
By giving Draisaitl $14 million AAV, the Oilers have put themselves in a position where McDavid could get $14.5, $15 or even $16 million AAV. As such, Matthews would have needed to sign for more than $15 million AAV to have a chance to surpass McDavid.
If Matthews wins a few more Rocket Richard Trophies, a couple of Art Ross Trophies and one or two Hart Trophies, his next contract could top McDavid’s. But that situation remains to be seen.
Overall, the likeliest reason why Matthews signed a short-term extension was because the Leafs wanted a lower AAV on a longer-term deal. Eventually, both sides met in the middle, giving Auston Matthews the payday he wanted and the Leafs enough term to feel secure enough.
The biggest concern on Toronto’s mind at this point should be Marner. Draisaitl’s contract could set the tone for what the Marner camp is looking for. Perhaps Marner’s representatives may push the Leafs for a deal that’s at least in the $13 million AAV range.
