Nathan MacKinnon, Avalanche Agree to 8-Year, $100.6M Contract; NHL's Top-Paid Player

Nathan MacKinnon is the highest paid player in the NHL.

On Tuesday, the Avs announced an eight-year contract extension with their star center.

MacKinnon's average annual salary surpasses that of McDavid's as the NHL's richest player.

The extension kicks in at the beginning of the next season.

Most of the money will be paid out as a signing bonus according to Pierre LeBrun.

Pierre LeBrun @PierreVLeBrun

Nathan MacKinnon contract structure:23-24: $15.725M signing bonus, $775k salary24-25: $15.725M SB, $775k salary25-26: $15.25M SB, $800k salary26-27: $3M SB, $9.15M salary27-28 through 30-31: $8.91M SB, $990k salary each year

AAV $12.6 M

MacKinnon said last week that the two sides were close to an agreement on a new contract.

He said he would prefer it to be finished. Sometimes it feels like it's personal. I want to get it done so it doesn't distract me.

In 2022-23, the final season of his seven-year contract, he will make $6.85 million.

MacKinnon has been everything the Avs could have hoped for. The Canadian star became the youngest player in NHL history to win a trophy when he was 18 years old.

The Rockies ended their three-year playoff streak in MacKinnon's first season. The Avs have made the playoffs in each of the past five years.

The season was the best in the past. They set franchise records for regular-season wins and points to get the top seed in the conference. They went 2-0 in the Stanley Cup Final after going 12-2 in the playoffs.

The Avs won their first championship in 21 years after MacKinnon had six points in six games against the Bolts. He has scored over 600 points in a regular season game.