Best-value NHL contracts
Which contracts buy the most production for their cap hit: every forward, defenceman and goalie with a current deal, against last season's numbers.
Macklin Celebrini: the most production above the line for his cap hit
Each extra $1M of cap hit buys 5.7 points per 82 games on average (the line). Value is how far a player sits above or below it: a cheap player producing like an expensive one is the best value.
Best value
Furthest below the line
Shayne Gostisbehere: the most production above the line for his cap hit
Each extra $1M of cap hit buys 4.4 points per 82 games on average (the line). Value is how far a player sits above or below it: a cheap player producing like an expensive one is the best value.
Best value
Furthest below the line
Logan Thompson: the most goals saved above the line for his cap hit
Each extra $1M of cap hit buys +0.8 goals saved above expected on average (the line). Value is how far a player sits above or below it: a cheap player producing like an expensive one is the best value.
Best value
Furthest below the line
How to read it
- Production
- Skaters: points per 82 games in 2025-26 (40 games or more). Goalies: goals saved above expected in 2025-26 (20 games or more), our measure of how many goals a goalie stopped beyond what the shots he faced predict.
- The line
- For each position, the straight line that best fits production against cap hit across every player with a current contract: what a team gets, on average, for each extra dollar.
- Value
- Actual production minus the line at his cap hit. Entry-level and bridge contracts dominate the top because young players are paid on scale, not on output.
- What it misses
- Defence, penalty killing and leadership that points do not count, and the fact that a contract is signed for the years ahead, not the season just gone.
As of 2 Oct 2026. Cap hit is the average annual charge against the salary cap, not a yearly salary. Team cap figures are projections and do not include long-term injured reserve or other relief.
