The Toronto Maple Leafs are making a captaincy change. The Hockey News breaks down why Auston Matthews will become the 26th captain in franchise history. Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews enjoyed over a full year of being the highest-paid player in the NHL, but there is a new player at the top of the leaderboard. The Edmonton Oilers announced on Tuesday that they signed forward Leon Draisaitl to an eight-year deal worth an average annual value of $14 million per season, The $14 million salary cap hit exceeds the $13.25 million Matthews received on his four-year extension the center signed in August of 2023. Draisaitl has been a key star on the Oilers and helped the team get to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final this year. He had 41 goals and 65 assists in 81 games with Edmonton this past season and was a key contributor with 31 points in 25 playoff games during the post-season run. Draisaitl's new contract won't kick in until July 1, 2025, but the Oilers have eliminated any questions about whether the German star would have tested the open market. When Matthews became the highest-paid player on an average annual basis, he passed Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon who signed a deal worth $12.6 million per season. The NHL salary cap is at a record high of $88 million for the upcoming season and that number is only expected to increase with each passing year as the NHL grows in revenue. As top-5 or top-10 players have their contracts come up, it's only inevitable that a new player will take over in the highest-paid rankings. Connor McDavid is currently averaging $12.5 million per season and the Oilers star is expected to become the new highest-paid player when his current deal expires at the end of the 2025-26 NHL season. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNTk1MTUxMDE2NDM2ODQ0/cf1808c0-6a82-4298-9049-3eb2eae105b0.jpg] Related Maple Leafs Prospect Fraser Minten Skates at Saskatoon Blades' Training Camp Ahead of First Pro Season with Toronto [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/maple-leafs-prospect-fraser-minten-skates-at-saskatoon-blades-training-camp-ahead-of-first-pro-season-with-toronto] 'It’s Been Difficult To Process This Devastating Tragedy': John Tavares Shares Heartfelt Message on the Passing of Johnny Gaudreau and Brother Matthew [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/its-been-difficult-to-process-this-devastating-tragedy-john-tavares-shares-heartfelt-message-on-the-passing-of-johnny-gaudreau-and-brother-matthe] 'Hopefully After This Year It Goes Well With Them Again': Brandon Lisowsky Aims to Make an Impression on Maple Leafs While Playing Out Overage Year With Saskatoon [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/hopefully-after-this-year-it-goes-well-with-them-again-brandon-lisowsky-aims-to-make-an-impression-on-maple-leafs-while-playing-out-overage-year-with-saskatoon] News from THN.com Opinion: Bruins Fans Should Feel Fortunate GM Sweeney Is On Case In Swayman Contract Saga [https://thehockeynews.com/news/opinion-the-bruins-should-feel-fortunate-gm-sweeney-is-handling-swaymans-contract-saga] The Wraparound Show: Remembering Johnny Gaudreau [https://thehockeynews.com/podcast/the-wraparound-show-remembering-johnny-gaudreau] NHL Expansion: Kansas City, Cincinnati and Omaha Long Shots To Land a Team [https://thehockeynews.com/news/nhl-expansion-kansas-city-cincinnati-and-omaha-long-shots-to-land-a-team]
