Five key factors go into a good NHL contract: cap efficiency, length and structure, player age and risk, team fit, and market context. With 30 of the 32 NHL teams currently having a captain, here's how we rank all the Eastern Conference captains and their current contracts.
Metropolitan Division
Carolina Hurricanes - Jordan Staal
Jordan Staal signed a four-year extension with the Carolina Hurricanes in June 2023. The four-year, $11.6 million contract has an AAV of $2.9 million and a full No-Move Clause for the first three years and a full No-Trade Clause in the final season of the deal. These clauses provide stability for both the team and Staal, as they allow the team to be built around a key leadership player.
An AAV of $2.9 million is very reasonable for a former second overall pick that brings defensive play, penalty killing, and reliability in addition to leadership. Four years is a good length for a player in his mid-30s. Staal continues to be durable and contributes in ways not always seen on the score sheet.
Staal is a very good fit with the Hurricanes, filling the veteran leadership role while also helping on the penalty kill and defensive play. His contract provides him with security, acknowledges his contributions, and gets a ⅘.
Columbus Blue Jackets - Boone Jenner
Boone Jenner is in the final year of his four-year $15 million contract with an AAV of $3.75 million. Jenner was named captain of the Blue Jackets in 2021 and has filled the leadership role well.
For an AAV of $3.75 million, Jenner demonstrates leadership, grit, strong faceoff play, and consistency. A four-year deal is a decent length as it encapsulates the last few years of his prime. It gives stability and predictability to both Jenner and the team as they build around their core players, including Jenner.
Despite shoulder surgery in 2023 that kept him out for several months, Jenner has shown durability throughout his career. As a Blue Jacket his whole career, Jenner understands the team culture and fills the veteran leadership role during the team's rebuild.
This is a solid deal for a middle-6 forward/second-line player on a rebuilding team and gets a ⅘.
New Jersey Devils - Nico Hischier
Nico Hischier became the highest-drafted Swiss player when he was selected first overall in 2017. He also became just the second Swiss captain after Roman Josi when he was named captain of the Devils in 2021. Hischier is signed to a seven-year $50.75 million contract extension that has an AAV of $7.25 million.
A $7.25 million AAV is a good value for a top centre in today's NHL market. Seven years gives the Devils control over a talented player in his prime. Hischier is still relatively young at 26 years old and continues to show improvement in his game. His goal spike last season shows his durability and high ceiling.
As captain and former first overall pick, the Devils have built their team around Hischier. He helps keep New Jersey competitive and gets top-line minutes.
The Devils signed Hischier when he was young, giving them leverage. A $7.25 million AAV is competitive, but the Devils are not overpaying by any means. This contract gets a 4.5/5.
New York Islanders - Anders Lee
Islanders captain Anders Lee is currently in the last year of a seven-year, $49 million contract with an AAV of $7 million.
Lee put up 54 points in 82 games last season. This scoring resurgence makes his contract look good. His durability, shown by only missing one game these past three seasons, is also very impressive for a 35-year-old.
The seven-year deal brought Lee out of his prime and into his status as a veteran player. As captain, Less is the face of the franchise, bringing leadership and identity.
When the deal was first signed, some people expressed concern over the seven-year term of the contract; however, his durability and scoring ability have proven that this contract is good. It gets a ⅘.
New York Rangers - J.T. Miller
J.T. Miller was announced as the captain of the New York Rangers on September 16th of this year.
The newest captain in the league signed a seven-year extension with the Vancouver Canucks in September 2022 before being traded to the Rangers in February 2025. His current contract is worth $56 million, which gives him an AAV of $8 million.
An AAV of $8 million is very good for a top-six forward, especially one producing at the level he did late last season, where he had 70 points in 72 games.
Seven years is a long deal, but with the trade partway through, it shows that the Rangers believe in Miller and his ability to continue to produce throughout the term. Despite being 32 years old, Miller still seems durable and versatile, bringing more than just scoring to the Rangers. He is a strong forward, and his leadership is valued by the Rangers. He was announced as captain after less than a season back with the team.
In 2022, an $8 million AAV for a top-six forward was average, and when compared to deals being signed now and Miller's continued production levels, this is a good deal for both team and player. It gets a 4.5/5.
Philadelphia Flyers - Sean Couturier
Sean Couturier was named captain of the Flyers on Feb. 14, 2024. This came after he signed an eight-year, $62 million ($7.75 million AAV) contract extension in August 2021.
Couturier does more than just score; he is a two-way defensive forward who contributes in ways that are not always seen on the score sheet. $7.75M is reasonable for a player who provides depth and won the 2019-2020 Selke Trophy.
The eight-year contract gives the Flyers control of Couturier through his prime. This deal locked in a core player that can be built around while avoiding negotiations sooner.
Injury has been a risk with Couturier in the past. He missed 22 months, returning for the 2023-2024 season, following back surgeries for herniated disks and leaking spinal fluid.
The Flyers value Couturier’s leadership and rely on him in tough defensive situations. When signed $62 million over eight years was a very solid deal, and while his injuries have taken away from his potential playing time and production, he remains a core member of the Flyers. Couturier’s contract gets a ⅘.
Pittsburgh Penguins - Sidney Crosby
Last season, Penguins captain Sidney Crosby signed a two-year extension that runs until the end of the 2026-2027 season. The $17.4 million deal has an AAV of $8.7 million.m
90+ points a season is very impressive for a player in his late 30s. Crosby continues to produce at a level much higher than expected for a player of his age. He also brings more than just points to the team; his leadership skills and reputation bring more to the team than just skill.
Two years is a good length for a player approaching his 40s. Two-year limits the long-term risk but also allow for extensions. Crosby has suffered from injuries throughout his career, including concussions; however, over the past three seasons, he has only missed two games, both coming last season.
Crosby has been the face of the Penguins since he was drafted. His presence both on ice and off is important to Pittsburgh.
For a superstar like Crosby $8.7 million is relatively modest. This is a great deal for the team and gets a 4.5/5
Washington Capitals - Alex Ovechkin
Alex Ovechkin is in the last year of his five-year $47.5 million ($9.5 million AAV) contract extension. As the greatest scorer in NHL history, Ovechkin continues to produce. For a player of this calibre, an AAV of $9.5 million is modest.
Five years is a decent length as it carried him through his late 30s, and now, in the last season of the deal, he is 40 years old. Ovechkin is one of very few players to see such minimal decline, with 44 goals in 65 games; his production is similar to players much younger.
He has seen some injuries throughout his career; however, his production levels have only been minimally impacted. His risk has increased with age; however, his ability to come back from injuries is what sets him apart and furthers his longevity.
Over the past two decades, the Capitals have built their team around Ovechkin. He is more than just their leading scorer; he is their captain and the face of the team.
Ovechkin has lots of negotiating power, but a $9.5 million AAV is very reasonable for a superstar and helps this contract get a 4.5/5.
Atlantic Division
Boston Bruins - Vacant
Buffalo Sabres - Rasmus Dahlin
Rasmus Dahlin is currently in the second year of his eight-year $88 million ($11 million AAV) contract.
The 25-year-old former first overall pick is one of the most dynamic defencemen in the league. While $11 million AAV is a lot of money, Dahlin has proven that he can put up points and lead the Sabres by example.
Buffalo wants Dahlin to stay with the Sabres long term, and that's exactly what an eight-year deal does. Buffalo's core has been built around its young captain, and they will have him for the majority of his prime.
As a young player, his risk is minimised, allowing Buffalo to get the most out of a star player. He is a foundational piece and a part of the core of the Sabres. He is trusted beyond just points, as he is also a leader as captain.
By signing him early to a long deal, the Sabres took control of a key player, who is most likely going to continue improving and producing at elite levels. This contract gets a 4.5/5.
Detroit Red Wings - Dylan Larkin
Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin is currently signed to an eight-year $69.6 million ($8.7 million AAV) contract extension that runs until the end of the 2030-31 season.
At 29 years old, Larkin is still producing strongly offensively. Last season, he had 30 goals, 40 assists in 82 games for 70 points on a team that is still in the rebuilding stage.
An eight-year extension brings Larkin out of his prime years and into his mid-30s, allowing him to transition into a veteran leadership presence. The first half of the contract extension has Larkin in his prime, while he is still producing at a high level and is less susceptible to injuries.
As a Michigan native, Larkin is a great fit for the captain of his hometown team. He is one of the faces of the team, and the team is being rebuilt around him.
When compared to other first-line centres, which are producing at a similar level, Larkin's contract is comparable and does not include what he brings to the team off the score sheet. Larkin’s contract gets a ⅘.
Florida Panthers - Aleksander “Sasha” Barkov
Three-time Selke Trophy winner and back-to-back Stanley Cup Champion Aleksander “Sasha” Barkov signed an eight-year, $80 million ($10 million AAV) contract extension in October 2021.
Captain of the Panthers since 2018, Barkov is an elite two-way forward and the Panthers' all-time leading scorer. A $10 million AAV is easily justifiable for a player of his calibre.
Eight years locks down Barkov for what could be the remainder of his career, allowing the Panthers the stability of knowing who their core players are into the future. While Barkov is still in his prime at 30 years old, his risk of injuries will only increase.
Barkov suffered a torn ACL and MCL at the beginning of October that will keep him out for the entirety of the regular season and most likely all of the playoffs as well.
Despite this injury, Barkov remains a key member of the Panthers organisation. He has been known to play through less serious injuries and contributes on both ends of the ice. His leadership is not something shown on the score sheet, but is also a huge part of who he is as a player.
The timing of this contract extension was perfect for both Florida and Barkov, as they are now back-to-back defending champions, thanks in part to Barkov's leadership and play. This contract gets a ⅘.
Montreal Canadiens - Nick Suzuki
When Nick Suzuki was named captain of the Canadians in 2022, he was just 23 years old, making him the youngest captain in team history.
In 2021, Suzuki signed an eight-year $63 million contract extension that went into effect for the 2022-2023 season.
At $7.875 million AAV, the Canadians were counting on Suzuki improving as he aged into his prime. This was a good assumption as Suzuki has continued to put up more points each season, recording 89, a career high, last season.
The length of the contract is good for both the team and the player, as it provides stability and locks down a core player for a bulk of his prime years.
Suzuki is still young at 26, meaning his risk factor is low, and he has shown this by playing all 82 games the past four seasons. Suzuki is a franchise player that Montreal is centring its rebuild around.
A $7.875 million AAV for a franchise player is a good deal in today's NHL market. This is a very good contract and gets a 4.5/5.
Ottawa Senators - Brady Tkachuk
In 2021, Brady Tkachuk signed a seven-year $57.5 million ($8.21 million AAV) contract extension just weeks before he was named as the 10th captain of the Senators.
As a top-line forward, Tkachuk brings physicality and scoring to the Senators in addition to his leadership qualities that got him named as captain. Seven years gives Ottawa control over a talented player, who, due to his young age, still has time to grow and improve as he moves further into his prime.
At 26 years old, Tkachuk’s risk factor is still relatively low. He will be missing several weeks at the start of this season following thumb surgery, which could impact his future risk levels.
Tkachuk plays a key role in the Senators' rebuild. As captain, he provides leadership and guidance while still showing up on the score sheet. However, there have been rumours of a Tkachuk trade circling over the past years, rumours that are currently unsubstantiated and denied by people in the organisation. This contract gets a 3.5/5.
Tampa Bay Lightning - Victor Hedman
In 2024, Victor Hedman signed a four-year $32 million ($8 million AAV) contract extension that goes into effect this season.
Named the captain in November 2024, Hedman has spent his entire career with the Lightning. In 2023-2024, he had 76 points, which is very impressive for a defenceman.
At 34 years old, a four-year contract is a good length. It limits the burden on the team should Hedman suffer an injury, while also keeping a talented player in the organisation for the future.
Due to his age, there is a risk factor; however, Hedman has shown little falloff as the years pass, proving his durability. As a part of Tampa Bay’s core and as a top-pair defenseman, Hedman is a big part of the team's identity.
For an AAV of $8 million, the Lightning secured a franchise d-man who also has leadership qualities and a veteran presence. This contract gets a 4.5/5.
Toronto Maple Leafs - Auston Matthews
Auston Matthews is in the first year of a four-year $53 million ($13.25 million AAV) contract extension signed in 2023.
As one of the top forwards in the NHL, Matthews is an elite goal scorer, franchise player and leader, and he is paid as such. At the time of signing, he was one of the highest-paid players in the NHL, second to Leon Draisaitl.
Four years is relatively short for a superstar like Matthews, and he could have several prime years remaining when this contract is up. However, the shorter deal limits the risks that come as a player ages.
Matthews is important to the Maple Leafs and the city of Toronto. He is pivotal to their success on and off the ice. At the time of signing he was set to be the highest player in the league, and the Maple Leafs were able to avoid a bidding war by locking him in prior to him becoming a free agent. Matthews’ contract gets a 4.5/5.