Many rumors circulating have said that Auston Matthews will likely be paid in the $13 million range which is a record-shattering cap hit. However, despite this being an unheard-of value for an NHL player, it is more than fair for Matthews.
The $15 million cap hit is an unthought-of value for NHL teams but Matthews could be the first player to get that type of money if he hits the open market. However, Matthews is willing to take a roughly $2 million per year pay cut which shows he wants to win with the Leafs.
Nonetheless, Auston Matthews will be the highest-paid NHLer after next year as he deserves to be. However, it will not be an overpay but rather a contract that is fair to his value as a player.