In order from highest paid to lowest paid - and assuming this is specifically for next year only, vs for the life of contract:
McDavid - Yes, worth it. Pretty obvious
Panarin - Also yes. Pace of 113 points over 82 games past 2 seasons. I worry in the long-term he might decline before end of contract, but not a huge risk, he's still not too old.
Matthews - Yes. Good age, super consistent since day 1, no worries. Not as good as McDavid or anything - but in terms of ability + expected future consistency, he's worth it today and moving forward
Karlsson - Nope. I've been saying for 2 years he'll certainly bounce back, and he hasn't come close to. In his current form, he's barely even worth half of that. Maybe he still bounces back, but it seems unlikely.
Doughty - Nope. He had a better season last year, but overall it's a few disappointing seasons in a row. Maybe if Kings have a strong year he'll shine through again, but until that happens, nope. Maybe ~7-8M$. I do think he can bounce back though, but until he does it's no.
Tavares - Nope. Not far though. He plays 2C vs 1C in Toronto - I think if he were on a different team and if he played 1C he could put up ppg+ numbers still. I like his consistency and reliability. So i'll say no, but just barely.
Marner - Yes. Last 3 years paced for 94, 93 and 100 points. Super consistent scorer - are there 5 scorers in league who have been more consistent in past 3 years? I know there's concerns for playoffs, but he's hardly the only one in this list (Matthews/McDavid too). So to me - ~95+point player is worth 10M, so yes.
Kane - Yes. Very consistent high end scorer recent years. He's getting up there in age, so it's bound to become "no" soon. But for now, and until he declines, yes. His playoff track record certainly helps too, because even if he loses a step in season, if you make playoffs you know he'll be able to perform.
Toews - Nope. Pretty obvious. Maybe he comes back super strong, but I don't think so. If he comes back next year and has a reasonably good year, I'd say maybe ~8M$ or so, but doesn't produce enough for 10M in my opinion.
Price - Yes. Look at what he just did the past 2 playoffs. I know most will say no - but they will simply be wrong. Matthews, McDavid, Marner...none of them managed to be differentiators for their teams in playoffs. Price did, and was spectacular. Is he worth 10M$ right now because of it? Absolutely. Is he worth 10M$ for the life of his contract? That's a lot more tricky. Once a goalie declines, his value goes to almost 0, because having a lot of $$ for a backup is pointless. But for right now - 100% yes.
Bob - lol no. Speaking of declining goalies. He's essentially worthless. He's paid to be the #1 elite starter his team can rely in. He's lost a step, and has therefore become useless. It's not like a forward where if you can't produce 90 points anymore, producing 70 is still good. With goalies, you're either elite, or you're not. He sucked in season, and was even worst in playoffs.
Kopitar - This one is tough....going to say no. I'll lump him in with Tavares. Close, but no. Maybe others will disagree, close though
Eichel - Yes. Assuming his injuries aren't going to impact him too much, because otherwise of course that could change. But aside from that, super talented, much like Matthews very consistent so no worries paying him 10M$ today + for life of contract.
So I guess out of 13 players making 10m+ going into next year, I believe only 7 are worth it, with 2 others being quite close.
If you expanded the question to ask how many NHL players overall are worthy of 10m+, the answers climbs to more than 10 very easily. Guys like Mack, Drai, etc etc easily worth it.
