The NHL is one of the most exciting and popular sports leagues in the world, attracting countless fans and generating billions of dollars in revenue each year. A major part of the league`s success is its talented and skilled players, who have dedicated their careers to the sport and become legends in their own right.
One of the most important factors in the success of these players is their contracts. NHL contracts are among the largest in professional sports, with players earning millions of dollars per year for their services. In this article, we`ll take a closer look at the biggest NHL contracts per year and what they represent for the league and its players.
Topping the list of the NHL`s biggest contracts per year is Connor McDavid, the young Edmonton Oilers star who signed an eight-year, $100 million deal in 2017. At an average annual value of $12.5 million, McDavid`s contract makes him the highest-paid player in the league and one of the highest-paid athletes in all of sports.
McDavid`s contract is a reflection of his incredible talent and potential, as well as the importance of having a franchise player who can lead a team to success. The Oilers are betting big on McDavid to become the face of their franchise and help lead them to a Stanley Cup championship in the years to come.
Another player with a massive contract is Auston Matthews, the Toronto Maple Leafs superstar who signed a five-year, $58.17 million extension in 2019. This deal came on the heels of a breakout season in which Matthews scored 37 goals and helped lead the Leafs to the playoffs.
Matthews` contract is a sign of Toronto`s commitment to building a championship team around him and his fellow young stars. The Leafs have invested heavily in their core group of players in recent years, and Matthews is at the center of that effort.
Other players with large contracts include Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov, who signed an eight-year, $76 million extension in 2018, and Washington Capitals forward Alexander Ovechkin, who inked a 13-year, $124 million deal in 2008.
These contracts represent not only the immense talent and value of these players, but also the intense competition among teams to build championship-caliber rosters. As the NHL continues to grow and thrive, we can expect to see even bigger contracts signed in the years to come, as players seek to maximize their earning potential and teams seek to secure the best talent available.
In conclusion, the NHL`s biggest contracts per year are a reflection of the incredible skill and dedication of its players, as well as the intense competition among teams to build championship-winning rosters. As fans, we can only sit back and watch in awe as these talented athletes continue to amaze us with their incredible performances on the ice.