Auston Matthews leads the NHL in earnings for the 2024-25 season with a total of $21.7 million, marking the first time a player has surpassed the $20 million mark in Forbes' ranking. His financial milestone highlights the growth of the league, despite NHL salaries lagging behind those of the NBA, NFL, and MLB. As the season begins, key storylines include the Tampa Bay Lightning's significant changes, notably the replacement of Steven Stamkos with Jake Guentzel, aimed at enhancing the team's competitiveness. Meanwhile, goaltenders, despite their crucial role, remain underpaid, with the highest-earning netminder, Andrei Vasilevskiy, ranking 25th among forwards and defensemen. Additionally, Jeremy Swayman's recent eight-year, $66 million deal makes him the fifth highest-paid goalie, though he may soon be surpassed by Igor Shesterkin. The NHL continues to evolve with new contracts and competitive dynamics as the season unfolds.