I don't know if this contract overall is a big problem but the value add to his previous contract was high. I don't know if any player is really worth a contact of that size but on the other hand a player like Leon is a massive star and he does bring in a boat load of actual dollars to ownership through merchandise sales, sponsors, ticket sales and more.
It is tough to justify trading away star players who still contribute to a very high degree in exchange for picks and prospects. Leon did earn a large contract increase AAV wise. I don't know if this really helps the Oilers as you can't really expect MORE production out of a high producer like Leon but such is life, every team deals with it.
The Flames in recent memory (2015) went the furthest playoff wise when our top players like Johnny (RIP) Monny and Gio were making a combined total of approx $6 million AAV.
Fast forward a little bit and everybody is making $320% more combined and we still can't get as far.
It's a theme in the NHL in a lot of ways. The top paid players league wide really haven't won a championship during their highest paid years. I may be wrong but I don't think a player with an AAV over $10 has won a cup in the cap era?
Taves/Kane never won with their $10.5 cap hits
Mcdavid, Mathews, Marner, Nylander, Petterson, Mackinnon and more have not won with their respective high AAV cap hits.
Bottom line in the NHL, if you really wanna win, stay away from top contracts and cap hits over $10 million. It's unique that the highest paid stars in the NHL just haven't won.
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