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As one of the major sports leagues, the NHL has undergone numerous changes that can be difficult to track. This article will inform you about the most important updates for the current season that you should be aware of, particularly if you are an ice hockey fan.
Understanding the players is critical for better game prediction. The NHL is a well-known league with many fans worldwide, and it also attracts large bets on players, teams, and so on! Here is a list of the league’s five most expensive and highest-paid players.
Learning about these players will help you make better betting decisions and increase your chances of winning. Moreover, you must ensure you choose the right platform to place your bets, as Erik King from Zamsino said.
1. Connor McDavid, C, Oilers
- Annual salary: $12.5 million
The NHL’s best player earns the most money, which shouldn’t be surprising. McDavid signed an eight-year, $100 million contract with the Oilers after winning his first Art Ross, Hart, and Ted Lindsay awards in 2016-17.
Since then, he has earned two Ted Lindsay Awards, three Art Ross Trophies, and a Hart Trophy. He’s coming off back-to-back seasons with 100+ points.
2. Artemi Panarin, LW, Rangers
- Annual salary: $11.642 million
Panarin was the most sought-after free agent in 2019 and signed a seven-year, $81.5 million contract with the Rangers. According to reports, he would have gotten a better deal from the Islanders but opted for their counterparts.
Since signing with New York, Panarin has recorded 249 points in 186 games over three seasons. If you are also looking for betting deals while betting, you must follow platforms like Book of Dead to enjoy diverse casino platforms.
3. Auston Matthews, C, Maple Leafs
- Annual salary: $11.64 million
Matthews is the only one among the Maple Leafs on this list, but he has proven well worth the cost. In February 2019, Toronto extended Matthews’ contract for five years at a value of approximately $11.6 million per season.
He just won his second successive Art Ross Trophy, leading the league in goals. When he scored 60 goals this season, he became only the third player in the salary cap era.
4. Erik Karlsson, D, Sharks
- $11.5 million in annual salary
Karlsson signed an eight-year, $92 million contract with the Sharks after being acquired in a trade with the Senators. He was one of the best offensive defensemen at the time. Karlsson’s tenure at San Jose has been marred by injuries and subpar play on the ice, as Karlsson has failed to reach 40 points in the past two seasons.
Rubbing salt in the wound, he is already 32 years old and still has five years remaining on the contract.
5. Drew Doughty, D, Kings
- $11 million in annual salary
Drew Doughty was coming off a 60-point season when he signed his eight-year, $88 million contract with the Kings. Unfortunately, for the Kings, he has not even come close to reaching a season with the same level of production since.
This season, Doughty averaged just under a point per game but only appeared in 39 matches due to multiple injuries. His contract has five more years remaining, and he is 32 years old.
NHL and Adidas’s 7-Years Partnership Comes to an End
Moving forward with another essential update on the NHL, the German sports clothing brand Adidas will not prolong its contract as the league’s outfit and apparel supplier after the 2023-24 season, unlocking the door for a new manufacturer supplier to venture into the Bavarian company’s shoes.
In 2016-17, Adidas took over as the NHL’s supplier and signed a seven-year contract worth $70 million per season. They later agreed to produce uniforms for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey in collaboration with the NHLPA.
Several NHL stars, including Nikita Kucherov and Connor McDavid, later signed promotional deals with Adidas. However, the brand has indicated that it will forgo individual contracts after 2023-24, effectively exiting the hockey market.
Why Is Adidas Dropping Out Of The NHL?
There have been a lot of hypotheses surrounding Adidas’ decision to exit the NHL; some of it was reasonable, and others were not.
To begin with, the 98-year-old brand was accused of never fully committing to the sport. Instead of focusing solely on jerseys, it never plunged into making hockey gear with both feet. As a result, the NHL’s relationship with Adidas felt odd.
Secondly, the industry is undergoing rapid change. Adidas is a soccer powerhouse, particularly in North America. It supplies kits to Major League Soccer‘s 28 clubs and is looking to expand its presence in the sport. Meanwhile, Nike has reduced its investment in football, allowing the Oregon company to expand its reach elsewhere.
Where Does the NHL Go From Here?
Nobody knows who will replace Adidas at this point. Prior to the year 2000, each venture was open to negotiating sponsorship deals with individual manufacturers, with Nike, CCM, and Koho frequently leading the way.
However, nothing indicates that the NHL will abandon its league-wide strategy. There will be only one successor for Adidas, with the league’s advertising office informing potential partners that they are looking for a new partner.
There are, however, other strong candidates. The Warriors recently signed a competition-wide agreement with the European Champions Hockey League, in addition to club-specific deals with teams across Europe. CCM is also a sports stalwart and is no longer represented by Adidas.