5 Notable NHL 'Hometown Discount' Contracts

On June 30, center Steven Stamkos passed up the riches of free agency to re-sign with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Though he received a lucrative eight-year, $68 million contract with the Lightning, he accepted less than market value to remain in Tampa Bay. 

NHL players qualified for restricted or unrestricted free-agent status attempt to get as big a raise as possible. That's particularly true of the league's top stars. A few, however, left money on the table to re-sign with their teams. 

Those who took hometown discounts did so for various reasons. Among the factors was a desire to remain with a Stanley Cup contender, loyalty toward a franchise and salary-cap constraints.

The following slideshow ranks the five notable hometown-discount contracts in the NHL. Feel free to express your views on this topic in the comments section below. 

Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

On Oct. 11, the Tampa Bay Lightning re-signed right wing Nikita Kucherov to a three-year contract worth an average annual value of $4.766 million. As a rising NHL star, that's considerably less than what he could've received.

Over the last two seasons, Kucherov emerged as a reliable scoring threat. In 2014-15, he had 29 goals and 65 points and finished third in team scoring.

Last season, Kucherov netted 30 goals and 66 points, finishing as the Lightning's points leader. During the 2016 playoffs, he led the Bolts in goals (11) and points (19). 

Kucherov's numbers could've earned him a deal comparable to Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Brandon Saad. The 24-year-old Saad is in the second season of a six-year, $36 million contract. His annual cap hit is $6 million. 

The Lightning's limited salary-cap space explains why he accepted a lesser deal. The day before the signing was announced, Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times reported Kucherov was accepting this bridge contract owing to the Lightning's salary-cap crunch. 

Braden Holtby, Washington Capitals

Alex Brandon/Associated Press

On July 24, 2015, the Washington Capitals re-signed goaltender Braden Holtby to a five-year, $30.5 million contract extension. The average annual salary of $6.1 million was a substantial raise over his previous $1.85 million cap hit. Still, his new salary put him well below several of the league's highest-paid goalies. 

Since becoming the Capitals' full-time starter in 2012-13, Holtby quickly rose up the ranks of the league's top netminders. As per the press release announcing his signing, he set then-career highs in 2014-15 in wins (41), shutouts (nine), games played (73), goals-against average (2.22) and save percentage (.923). 

Those numbers put Holtby among elite company that season. His stats were as good, or better, than Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers ($8.5 million per season), Sergei Bobrovsky of the Columbus Blue Jackets ($7.42 million), Pekka Rinne of the Nashville Predators and Tuukka Rask ($7 million each).

On the day of Holtby's signing, Alex Prewitt of the Washington Post reported the two sides split the difference between the Capitals' offer of $5 million annually and Holtby's request for $6.5 million annually. The agreement was made to avoid a salary-arbitration hearing. 

While Holtby is being well compensated, his value has undoubtedly increased after winning the Vezina Trophy last season and tying the single-season wins record with 48. Had he reached those accomplishments in 2014-15, the Capitals probably would've had to pay more to re-sign him. 

Jamie Benn, Dallas Stars

Paul Vernon/Associated Press

On July 15, the Dallas Stars announced the re-signing of left wing and team captain Jamie Benn to an eight-year, $76 million contract extension. The average annual value is $9.5 million and begins in 2017-18. It's a significant raise for the 26-year-old Benn, up from his current annual cap hit of $5.25 million. However, he could've earned much more. 

Since his NHL debut in 2009, Benn rose to become the Stars' franchise player. In three of the past four seasons, he was their leading scorer. In 2014-15, he reached 87 points. Last season, he netted a career-high 89 points. 

Benn's also emerged among the league's elite stars. Since 2013-14, he was twice named to the First All-Star Team. He also won the Art Ross Trophy in 2015 and was a finalist in 2016 for the Hart Memorial Trophy.

Benn's value as the Stars captain and top scorer could've put him in range of Chicago Blackhawks forwards Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. Both earn an annual cap hit of $10.5 million on eight-year deals. Considering his recent accomplishments, he could've pushed for an annual value of $11 million. 

In the press release announcing his signing, Benn stressed his desire to remain with the only NHL organization he's known. He also cited the club's commitment to winning. 

Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning

Mike Carlson/Getty Images

Stamkos' new eight-year contract with the Lightning is worth an annual salary-cap hit of $8.5 million. For a player of his caliber, he passed up the chance to land a much richer deal via unrestricted free agency. 

The 26-year-old Stamkos is the Lightning's captain and franchise player. Since his debut in 2009-10, he's finished no lower than second in team scoring five times. 

Stamkos is also among the NHL's elite players. He's reached or exceeded 43 goals four times. In 2010 and 2012, he won the Maurice Richard Trophy as the league's leading goal scorer. 

Given his accomplishments, Stamkos could've earned at least as much as Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar. On Jan. 16, the Kings re-signed Kopitar to an eight-year, $80 million contract. 

On June 30, NHL.com's Dan Rosen reported Stamkos' desire to win the Stanley Cup with the Lightning was a motivating factor in his decision to re-sign. Rosen also noted general manager Steve Yzerman said the club's limited salary-cap space was another reason his captain agreed to accept less money.

Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins

Jae C. Hong/Associated Press

On June 28, 2012, the Pittsburgh Penguins re-signed center and team captain Sidney Crosby to a 12-year, $104.4 million contract extension. The deal, effective in 2013-14, was worth an average annual salary of $8.7 million, exactly the same as the contract he was under at the time. 

Though Crosby was coming off two injury-shortened campaigns, he was still among the league's top stars. He'd already captained the Penguins to a Stanley Cup in 2009. The individual awards he'd won up to that time included the Art Ross Trophy, Hart Memorial Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award (all in 2006-07) and the Maurice Richard Trophy in 2009-10.  

As one of the NHL's most recognizable stars, Crosby could've pursued considerably more than $8.7 million annually. When the deal was announced, NHL.com's Dan Rosen reported Crosby's agent Pat Brisson cited his client's commitment to the Penguins and his desire to remain with the team for life. 

Since signing that contract, Crosby's gone on to win two more Lindsay Awards (2012-13, 2013-14) plus another Art Ross Trophy and Hart Memorial Trophy (2013-14). He was also awarded his first Conn Smythe Trophy (2015-16) as playoff MVP. 

Crosby's deal left the Penguins with some much-needed wiggle room each season under the salary cap. That's invaluable in maintaining a competitive roster. It was probably a contributing factor in the Penguins building a Stanley Cup winner in 2016. 

Players stats via NHL.com. Salary info via Cap Friendly. Additional info via Hockey-Reference.com.