The arrangement to pay players and not defer was made Tuesday between the NHL and NHLPA. The two sides are in continuous negotiations about the leagues plan to restart with a 24-team tournament in 2 hub cities this summer. The sides have yet to complete the health and wellness protocols for video games or reveal the hub cities.
Sources informed ESPN that Toronto, Edmonton, Las Vegas and Chicago remain in the mix, though there is momentum for two Canadian hub cities to be selected, offered the current spike in COVID-19 cases in several U.S. states.
The NHL and NHLPA are wanting to reveal a cumulative bargaining contract extension in the coming days.
NHL players who are due finalizing bonus offers on July 1 are anticipated to be paid as arranged, a source verified to ESPN.
There is more than $300 million due to be paid to players on Wednesday, with the Toronto Maple Leafs leading the league with approximately $60 million owed. Contracts structured with large finalizing bonuses have remained in vogue in the NHL the past numerous years.
Maple Leafs forwards Auston Matthews ($15.2 million) and Mitch Marner ($14.3 million) will get the biggest payments on July 1. Connor McDavid (Oilers) is third in the NHL at $13 million, and Artemi Panarin (Rangers) is fourth at $12 million, according to CapFriendly.com.
