Auston Matthews‘ new contract extension with the Toronto Maple Leafs is structured in a unique way, according to a report from PuckPedia.
According to the report, 94 per cent of the four-year, $53-million contract will be paid in signing bonuses.
Signing bonuses are paid on the first day of the league year.
The first two seasons of the extension — beginning with the 2024-25 campaign — include the minimum salary under the NHL-NHLPA’s CBA at just $775,000. The final two years of the contract see the salary go up to $900,000 per season to account for an expected raise to the league minimum.
Additionally, the contract includes a full no-move clause.
Matthews, who turns 26 next month, is entering the final season of a five-year, $58.2-million contract. He has 299 goals and 542 points in 481 career games, and won the Hart Trophy in 2021-22 after scoring 60 goals that season.
Matthews broke the news of his extension on social media Wednesday.
“I feel fortunate to continue this journey as a Maple Leaf in front of the best fans in hockey,” Matthews wrote. “I will do everything I can to help get us to the top of the mountain.”