Flyers Prospects End World Junior Summer Showcase with a Bang
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an hour ago
- Yahoo
Is Nathan MacKinnon Underpaid?
According to The Athletic's NHL's 10 best contracts, Colorado Avalanche superstar is underpaid by a large margin. That could be true. MacKinnon is currently the third-highest paid player in the NHL, earning $12.6 million per year. This past season, the 29-year-old posted 116 points (32 goals, 84 assists) in 79 games played. The year prior, which was his best to date, saw MacKinnon play all 82 regular season games with a career-high 140 points (51 goals, 89 assists). In other words, MacKinnon was playing out of his mind. The two other players who make more money than him are Auston Matthews ($13.2 million AAV), and Leon Draisaitl ($14 million AAV). Over the past two seasons, Matthews has a combined 185 points. MacKinnon, on the other hand, has 256 and has a Stanley Cup championship, as well as a Hart Memorial Trophy, awarded to league MVP, on his résumé. Draisaitl has posted 106 points the last two seasons and has scored at least 100 points per year in six of the last seven years. He has also won a Hart as well as a Maurice Rocket Richard Trophy, which is awarded to the player who scores the most goals in a single season. What emerges from this comparison is not so much evidence that MacKinnon is undercompensated, but rather a clearer indication that the Maple Leafs are allocating a disproportionate premium to Matthews—though, given the organizational turmoil in Toronto, such a decision is expected. As the salary cap continues to rise, MacKinnon's contract will certainly represent a bargain for the team. How Much Should MacKinnon Get Paid? The Athletic believes MacKinnon's contract should be worth $18.3 million AAV based on their valuation model. While that figure exceeds his existing contract by a significant margin, it gains credence when contextualized within the NHL's projected salary cap trajectory. The NHL circulated a memo to teams in January that the salary cap would jump to $95.5 million for the upcoming season from $88 million. This will follow with subsequent jumps in the cap to $104 million in 2026-27 and $113.5 million in 2027-28. Let's say the cap remains at $113.5 million when MacKinnon's contract expires at the end of the 2030-2031 season. That $18.3 million would account for roughly 16% of the cap. MacKinnon will be 35 years old at the time of his free agency eligibility in 2031. Historically, players at this stage of their careers—regardless of prior dominance—rarely receive contracts reflecting full-market value, particularly not over long durations. For reference, even Alex Ovechkin, the greatest goal scorer ever, accepted a relative discount in 2021, re-signing with the Washington Capitals on a five-year, $47.5 million contract rather than exploring more lucrative options in unrestricted free agency. Ultimately, the precise valuation of MacKinnon's next contract will hinge on several interdependent factors: his on-ice production, health, leadership impact, and the state of the Avalanche as a whole. Should he maintain or exceed his current output, a salary in the $18 million to $19.5 million range would be consistent with his cap-adjusted market value. Conversely, if his performance regresses to a level that is still impactful but no longer elite, a more modest contract in the range of $13.5 million to $15 million AAV may be warranted—particularly if Colorado seeks to preserve cap flexibility for a younger squad. We also have to think about the upcoming Cale Makar extension. His current six-year contract runs through the end of the 2026-27 season, with a $9 million AAV cap hit. The cap should settle at $104 million in 2026-27 and let's say Makar gets eight years at $16.5 million. So two players will make up for about 32% of the cap give or take. In summary, while it is premature to definitively project MacKinnon's future earnings, The Athletic's valuation is right on the money should he continue to perform as one of the league's premier forwards deep into his thirties.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Jack Hughes Ranked High on Best Forwards Under 25 List
ranked their top forwards under 25 entering this season, and it came as no surprise that Devils' Jack Hughes landed second on the list. Hughes is entering his seventh year with the Devils after being selected first overall in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. He's been a staple for New Jersey both on and off the ice. At just 24 years old, Hughes has scored at least 26 goals in each of the past four seasons, though injuries have kept him from showcasing his full potential. Hughes also happens to have one of the best, if not the best, contracts in the NHL. He's entering year four of an eight-year, $64 million deal, with an average annual value of $8 million. Jack Hughes Ranked No. 1 NHL Contract by The Athletic Dom Luszczyszyn, NHL analyst for The Athletic (a New York Times publication), r ecently ranked the best contracts across the NHL. From Leon Draisaitl's eight-year, $14 million AAV deal (ranked 6th) to Brandon Hagel's seven-year, $6.5 million AAV contract (ranked 2nd), some of the league's biggest stars made the list. Given his performance, skill, and the overall value he brings to the team, this deal is a steal for New Jersey. The only player ranked ahead of Hughes? Tim Stützle of the Ottawa Senators. Stützle is a year younger, but his impact in Ottawa mirrors what Hughes has done in New Jersey. Stützle helped lead the Senators to their first Stanley Cup Playoffs appearance since 2017 and paced the team with 79 points in 82 games last season. He's hit the 70-point mark in each of the last three seasons, which secured him the No. 1 spot in the rankings. Right behind him is New Jersey's very own. Hughes has dealt with two major injuries in his career, the first in 2021 and again last season, when a shoulder injury required season-ending surgery. Still, Hughes remains a centerpiece of the Devils' lineup. In 368 NHL games, he has tallied 141 goals and 210 assists. Before last season's injury, he posted 70 points in just 62 games. His impact on the Devils is immeasurable. He's grown into the face of the franchise. It's no surprise that the slick Devils forward is ranked second on the list of best forwards under 25. Injured or not, he's proven just how valuable he is. In 2022-23, when fully healthy, Hughes recorded 99 points in 78 games. He's one of only 11 NHL players to average at least 1.10 points per game over the last four seasons, despite the injuries. The Devils made the right choice with their 2019 first-overall pick. And if Hughes can stay healthy, don't be surprised if he claims the top spot soon. Photo Credit: © Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Oilers Should Give McDavid 4-Year Window, Even With Long-Term Contract
The Edmonton Oilers are waiting for Connor McDavid to decide what he wants to do in regards to a contract extension. The superstar has one year remaining on his current deal at $12.5 million, but speculation is everywhere about the kind of extension he'll sign. Even if the Oilers get what they want, which is an eight-year extension that locks McDavid in as the salary cap rises, the organization should give their captain an internal window to win. McDavid will dictate the terms of his extension and the Oilers will gladly oblige. If he wants two years, Edmonton will sign that extension. If he wants four, they'll do that too. If McDavid has no desire to leave his buddy Leon Draisaitl, and chooses to lock in long-term, the Oilers will say 'Thank you, how much would you like?' That doesn't mean Edmonton should give McDavid carte blanche to control the narrative in Edmonton when it comes to winning and losing, roster construction, or trade conversations. Would Trading McDavid Be The End of the Oilers? During a recent interview on the Empty Netters Podcast, former NHL defenseman James Wisniewski said, 'Do you think Edmonton's going to have a duplicate Wayne Gretzky? Let's talk about this. I think it's going to happen.' Co-host of the show, Dan Powers added, 'Edmonton would cease to exist.' Oilers Full 2025-26 Regular Season Schedule EDMONTON – Public service announcement time. That's some serious hyperbole there, even if a McDavid trade were to hit the city nearly as hard as the fan base was emotionally stung by the Gretzky trade. Still, at some point, one has to ask, 'When is enough, enough?' The Oilers Should Consider a McDavid Trade In Year Four If McDavid signs a long-term deal, the Oilers should be open to the idea that trading McDavid might be the correct play. As hard as it would be to watch another generational talent move on, McDavid's job isn't just to be the best player in the world. The Oilers need him to lead them to another Stanley Cup. If he can't do that in the next four seasons, it will be time to try something else. Oilers Eyeing Trade for Former Oil Kings Goaltender? Oilers Spunky Defender Has Earned New Deal Oilers' Kris Knoblauch On Biggest Area To Get Better Granted, McDavid may ultimately beat the Oilers to the punch if the organization doesn't win it all. But, if he decides to end his NHL career in Edmonton, the Oilers can't get complacent. Playing with Draisaitl is all well and good, but like the "Core Four" in Toronto, if it doesn't work, there has be change and the Oilers can't be afraid to make it. McDavid is the best player in the NHL. There is undeniable faith he and the Oilers will get over the hump and win the Stanley Cup while he's in his prime. However, his trade value won't remain outrageously high forever. If the Oilers need to move on and get a Gretzky-like return, that won't happen in the fifth or sixth year of McDavid's extension. There should be an understanding by both sides, regardless of the length of his contract extension, that winning is of the utmost importance. If it doesn't happen, a sit-down about his future should take place. The hope in Edmonton is that it never comes to that. At the same time, GM Stan Bowman and the organization need to be pragmatic about their expectations. The biggest contract in the NHL has to come with some responsibility. In other words, the Oilers should say, 'We'll give you want you want, for however long you want. But, you've got four years to lead us to a Cup. If that doesn't happen, let's both agree that we'll talk about your future and the direction of this team.' What Is The Risk In Having This Conversation With McDavid? Do the Oilers have the stones to tell McDavid that his new extension comes with strings attached? It seems risky to do so, given that he could wait if he doesn't like what's said and bolt as an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2025-26 season. At the same time, McDavid seems to be the kind of player who is already putting that pressure on his shoulders. He said at the end of the season, 'If I feel that there's a good window to win here over and over again, then signing is no problem.' What he didn't mention was that he's arguably the biggest factor in the Oilers' ability to win. Yes, the team around him needs to be championship material. However, regardless of who is on the roster, everyone follows his lead. The Oilers go as McDavid goes. If he can't lead this team to where it needs to go in a reasonable amount of time, both sides can't be afraid to have that difficult conversation. Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss the latest news, game-day coverage, and more.
