Recently in an interview with the Athletic's Ian Mendes, the Senators' young star Tim Stutzle spoke about how the core of the team is much more focused on winning a Stanley cup, instead of how big their contracts are.
Stutzle continued and took a but of a shot at his provincial rivals, the Toronto Maple Leafs. Stutzle said that while other teams' star players ask for loads of money, it makes it obviously harder for a franchise to build a competitive team.
Stutzle is speaking a hard truth for many skilled players in the NHL - in a hard cap league, some players have to be underpaid for a team to be successful. Especially for post-season success, quality depth players are needed to survive what becomes a war of attrition. However, Stutzle's pointed number of 10 to 11 million absolutely alludes to contracts like that of the Leafs' stars, including William Nylander who is reportedly seeking $10M.
Not to disrespect any star players who collects, and for the most part, earns their salaries. However, only one player making over $10M has won the Stanley Cup when Jack Eichel did so last year with the Vegas Golden Knights. For the history of the NHL prior to that, the salary cap space has been needed to flesh out a deeper lineup.
