Top Flyers Salaries Nowhere Near Auston Matthews’ Record Deal with Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews will have an NHL-record contract starting in 2024. The four-year deal is worth $53 million.

The average annual value is $13.25 million. That will surpass Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon’s $12.6 million AAV. Matthews has one year remaining on his current contract. That deal was for five years and $58.2 million.

We wondered how the Philadelphia Flyers’ richest contracts compared with Matthews’ deal. He could have become a free agent after next season if he didn’t sign a new deal.

The Philadelphia Flyers’ highest single-season salary belongs to Sean Couturier at $7.75 million, almost $6 million less than Matthews’ new deal per season.

Couturier hopes to return this season after missing 2022-23 after undergoing two back surgeries.

The Flyers have seven other players making at least $5 million a season:

• Cam Atkinson: $5.875 million
• Travis Konecny: $5.5 million
• Joel Farabee: $5 million
• Ryan Ellis (injured): $6.25 million
• Travis Sanheim: $6.25 million
• Rasmus Ristolainen: $5.1 million
• Cal Petersen: $5 million

“I feel fortunate to continue this journey as a Maple Leaf in front of the best fans in hockey,” Matthews posted on Twitter. “I will do everything I can to help get us to the top of the mountain.”

Someday, the Flyers hope to spend this kind of money, too. If Matvei Michkov or Cutter Gauthier — for example — become the kind of player they’re projected to be, the money will flow.

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Coming at 10 a.m.: Sam Carchidi column on how many rookies will contribute for the Flyers in 2023-24.

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