“I think Matthew Schaefer will be the first player to reach $20 million.”

Michaël Petit
“I think Matthew Schaefer will be the first player to reach $20 million.”
Credit: Dennis DaSilva/NHLI via Getty Images

The latest trend in the NHL—especially among young players with very high potential—is to sign contracts for astronomical sums.

Leo Carlsson immediately comes to mind (though his case is a bit different), who signed a lucrative contract worth $18 million per season. There's also Connor Bedard ($15 million per season) and Macklin Celebrini ($18.8 million).

All three of these players are 20 or 21 years old.

The first contract worth $20 million annually hasn't been signed yet, but we can expect it to happen VERY soon.

Guys like Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes (who will be in the final year of their contracts in 2026–27) could be the first to do so. However, if we follow the trend among young players of this generation, Matthew Schaefer could very well be the first as well.

Éric Hoziel, appearing on The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro (hosted this time by Alexis Lavoie-Martel), believes the young prodigy defenseman from the New York Islanders will be the one.

When you look at the details, Hughes and Makar are the two most logical choices, because they'll be able to extend their contracts before Schaefer.

However, it's important to note that their situations are different.

First, Schaefer is younger, and, as mentioned earlier, the new trend is to offer massive contracts to highly talented young players (such as Carlsson, Bedard, and Celebrini).

Furthermore, the Avalanche and the Wild will face a more complicated contractual situation when it comes to extending their star defensemen than the Islanders will. Makar's and Hughes' teams will have less flexibility to extend them, while the Islanders will have a few large contracts with veterans set to expire (such as Ondrej Palat and Kyle Palmieri).

It's also worth noting that the maximum annual salary is currently $20.8 million, whereas the following year (when Schaefer will be eligible for a contract extension) the cap will be higher and the payroll will have increased as well.

At first glance, it's easy to assume that Makar or Hughes will secure a $20 million deal before Schaefer, but in reality, Schaefer has an excellent chance as well.


Quick Thoughts

– Will “patching” holes be enough for the Kings?

– He's having an incredible season.

– Cease just keeps impressing.

facebook icon Share twitter icon Tweet linkedin icon Share
Copied!