The Toronto Maple Leafs have secured the services of their star player, Auston Matthews, locking him into a four-year extension worth $53 million.
BREAKING: Auston Matthews signs a four-year extension with #leafs carrying a $13.25M AAV.@NorthStarBet
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) August 23, 2023
The new deal makes the 25-year-old the highest-paid player in the NHL in terms of average annual salary, which stands at $13.25 million.
The six-time NHL All-Star reacted to his new extension via social media platform X, formerly Twitter, saying he feels fortunate to continue his journey as a Maple Leaf in front of the best fans in hockey.
"I will do everything I can to help get us to the top of the mountain. GLG! #LeafsForever," he added.
Matthews is entering the final season of his current contract that he signed back in 2019, worth $58.2 million over five years. He is set to earn a base salary of $750,000 for the 2023-24 NHL season, but with a signing bonus of $7.2 million, bringing his total pay to nearly $8 million, per Spotrac,
Read more: NHL Veteran Goaltender Jonathan Bernier Announces Retirement After 14 Seasons
Auston Matthews is one of the best offensive players in the NHL
Matthews led the league in goals for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons, winning the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy.
He also won the Hart Memorial Trophy in 2022, which is the league's most valuable player accolade, as well as the Ted Lindsay Award, given to the most outstanding player of the regular season during the same year.
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