10 Highest-paid centres in the NHL ahead of Draisaitl's next deal
As the Oilers continue to discuss a contract extension with Leon Draisaitl, we look at where he currently ranks compared to the 10 best-paid centres in the NHL.
Along with pretty much every other sports media outlet around North America, we've been writing ad nauseam of late about the Leon Draisaitl contract situation. Whether it be deadline 'threats' by one of his agents, other teams he could potentially play for, how much he will be paid, etc, there's been plenty of material to source.
On that last subject, current predictions have the German superstar in line to earn from $13.5 million to north of $14 million per season on his next deal. If he remains in Edmonton it will be for the maximum available of eight years; on the off chance he signs somewhere else after the 2024-25 campaign, he will get up to seven years.
Whatever Draisaitl does end up signing for, the only guarantee is that it will make him the highest paid centre in the NHL in respect of Average Annual Value (AAV). In fact, it will make him the highest paid player in the NHL full stop.
Top 10 paid centres right now
In this respect, who is currently the highest paid centre in the NHL based on AAV? Here is a look at the top 10, along with where Draisaitl currently ranks:
Rank | Player | Team | AAV (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Auston Matthews | Leafs | $13.25 million |
2 | Nathan MacKinnon | Avalanche | $12.6 million |
3 | Connor McDavid | Oilers | $12.5 million |
4 | Elias Pettersson | Canucks | $11.6 million |
5 | William Nylander | Leafs | $11.5 million |
6 | John Tavares | Leafs | $11 million |
Tied-7 | Jack Eichel | Knights | $10 million |
Tied-7 | Aleksander Barkov | Panthers | $10 million |
9 | Tyler Seguin | Stars | $9.85 million |
10 | Brayden Point | Lightning | $9.5 million |
Tied-18 | Leon Draisaitl | Oilers | $8.5 million |
Clearly you can see the Oilers have had Draisaitl at a bargain over the time of his current deal. Particularly when you think he has scored the second-most points in the NHL since he entered the league, in 2015-16. (Absolutely no prizes for guessing who is first.)
Interestingly though, when the five-time NHL All-Star first signed his current contract, a lot of people believed it to be too much. This is something to consider when he (eventually) signs his next deal, with it also likely to look better as time passes.
Draisaitl's next deal will also become the highest total value by amount among centres. This mantle is presently held by the great Sidney Crosby, with his 12-year deal totalling $104.4 million.
History of the Oilers and the Ted Lindsay Award. dark. Next. History of the Oilers and the Ted Lindsay Award
One final thing to consider, is that even when Draisaitl does sign his new deal, his position as the highest-paid centre and overall player in the NHL, will be a short-lived one. Continuing the theme of the 28-year-old always being second-best (in a good way), teammate Connor McDavid has two seasons left on his own current deal before he will re-sign and take over -- quite rightly -- as the league's highest paid player.
N.B. All facts and figures courtesy of Spotrac
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