Current Best Contracts in the NHL

Jack Hughes - 8 years, $8M annually

The former 1st overall pick struggled in his first NHL seasons, but New Jersey had faith and gave him a big contract in 2021. Luckily for them, he has exploded into a superstar, and if it weren’t for injuries, would most likely be a top 5 player in the league. He is averaging over a point per game and is worth well above $8M per year. Hughes has 6 years left on his deal, huge for the Devils.

Cale Makar - 6 years, $9M annually

Cale Makar is one of the best defensemen in the league having won 3 individual awards already and scored 90 points in a season. Having him at a $9M cap hit is huge for the Colorado Avalanche, as he could easily rake in $10M+ elsewhere. Luckily for them, he believes they can win now and is willing to take a pay cut for another Cup. He has three years left on his current contract.

(Photo by Isaiah J. Downing, USA TODAY Sports)

Quinn Hughes - 6 years, $7.85M annually

Having the reigning James Norris Memorial Trophy winner, and team captain, under $8M per year is big for the Canucks, and even bigger that they were able to sign him to a long-term deal while in the midst of a team slump. One of the best two-way defensemen on a team friendly deal sets a precedent for the rest of the team, to take less in order to win more. His deal is arguably better than Makar’s, as it is less money for a similar caliber player. Hughes has three years left on his contract.

Jason Robertson - 4 years, $7.75M annually

While it would have been better for the Dallas Stars to sign him for more term, they saved significant money, which was needed considering the cap hits that Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn carry. While they recieve more money than Robertson, he easily out performs both on the ice. He had 109 points in 2022-23, and while his production slipped in 2023-24 (80 points), he showed up in the playoffs, with 16 points in 19 games. Having a player of his stature under an $8M cap hit is great for the Stars, but he has only two years remaining on this contract.

(Photo by Sergai Belski, USA TODAY Sports)

Miro Heiskanen - 8 years, $8.45M annually

Heiskanen is the Stars number one defenseman, and signed him to this contract in 2021, fresh off completing his entry-level contract. An excellent puck-mover, with comps similar to Makar and Q. Hughes, he is also signed to a similar deal. The Stars have done well to sign their young stars to team friendly deals, even as veterans may take more money. Heiskanen has been a cornerstone for the Stars’ playoff runs in recent years, with 5 more years left to continue to make an impact on a lower cap hit than his value.

Adam Fox - 7 years, $9.5M annually

Fox has consistently been in the Norris Trophy conversation, and at $9.5M cap hit per year, is a good deal for the Rangers. They have several high hits for players not necessaily worth that, especially in the playoffs (…Panarin…) but Fox is not one of those. New York’s number one defenseman had 73 points in 72, but only 8 points in 16 games, but was +5. A long-term deal at a decent cap hit is great for New York, as Fox continues to be one of the best defensemen in the NHL. He has 5 years left on his current contract.

(Photo by Jared Silber, NHLI via Getty Images)

Leon Draisaitl - 8 years, $8.5M annually

Draisaitl signed this deal fresh off his entry-level deal and has well exceeded the contract’s value. He is one of the highest scorers in the league and a dime on the powerplay. While he does benefit from playing with McDavid, he has proved to be a force alone and cemented himself as an elite superstar. He is currently going into his last year on the contract, and is due for a payday.

Current Best Contracts in the NHL

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