Nathan MacKinnon expected to be replaced as highest paid NHL player

As the days go, so does the highest-paid player in the National Hockey League. As of today, Nathan MacKinnon, who resigned with the Colorado Avalanche, earns an AAV of $12.6 million; this number is sure to be broken when current Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews puts pen to paper on his next contract, according to NHL Insider Elliot Friedman on the 32 thoughts podcast.

Matthews, the reigning Hart Trophy winner as the National Hockey League's Most Valuable Player, which the Professional Writers Hockey Association votes on, had a down year, with 85 points, current contract, which expires after the 2023-2024 season, pays him $11.6 million a season.


There has been quite a bit of division on whether or not Matthews deserves that kind of money, as the Maple Leafs haven't been near as successful during the playoffs since they drafted him first overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft; however, market value dictates that he should be paid close to if not at the top of the league.


Through all these things that the Toronto Maple Leafs' organization and their fanbase have faced during the ups and downs in the last seven years, one thing is for sure. Whether you believe it or not, Auston Matthews is one of the best players in the National Hockey League today, and his efforts deserve to be rewarded.