Julia VachonBrett Howden is having the kind of playoff run that happens once in a career. The 28-year-old centre from Portage la Prairie, Manitoba has scored nine goals in 13 games for the Vegas Golden Knights, tying an NHL record for short-handed goals in a single postseason — a mark shared with Wayne Gretzky. He has scored in six consecutive road games, the longest such streak in Golden Knights franchise history. He leads all playoff skaters in game-winning goals. He is, by nearly every measure, the most impactful forward in this year's NHL playoffs.
He is earning $2.5 million per year.
That number prompted former NHLer Jason Demers to say publicly that he "wanted to fight Howden's agent." It has fueled a broader conversation about one of the most persistent challenges in professional sports: what happens when a player's value on the ice dramatically outpaces what his contract reflects?
The Gap Between Performance and Pay in Professional Sport
Howden's contract — a five-year, $12.5-million extension signed in November 2024 — was considered a sensible, below-market deal for a reliable third-line centre. The average annual value of $2.5 million reflects what he was worth at the time of signing, based on his 12 regular-season goals in 58 games the year before. His agent and the team agreed on a fair market price, within the framework of what the Collective Bargaining Agreement permits.
That framework does not allow contracts to be renegotiated when a player exceeds expectations. Unlike some other industries, where an employee producing extraordinary results can negotiate a revised arrangement mid-contract, the NHL's CBA locks salary in for the life of the deal. Howden cannot walk back to the Golden Knights this week and ask for a raise based on his playoff numbers. He will earn $2.5 million per year through the 2029-30 season, regardless of whether he wins the Conn Smythe Trophy.
This is not unique to hockey. Across professional sport, undervalue contracts are a common feature of careers where a player signs at one stage of their development and then exceeds expectations significantly before the deal expires.
Why Wealth Management Matters Most When Performance Surges
The Howden situation highlights a financial reality that Canadian athletes at every level should understand: the time to plan for wealth is before it arrives in full, not after.
A player earning $2.5 million per year — even one who is currently the best forward in the NHL playoffs — takes home approximately $1.6 to $1.75 million after federal and provincial income tax (depending on Nevada's state tax treatment for a player who works both in the US and in Canada). With career earnings concentrated into a relatively short window, the financial decisions made now have an outsized impact on long-term security.
The key questions for any professional athlete in a similar position are:
What portion of income is being invested? A $2.5 million salary can support a high standard of living and still generate significant investable capital if structured carefully. Many players in the $2-3M range spend as if they earn significantly more, particularly in markets like Las Vegas where social expectations are high.
How is the portfolio diversified? Players often concentrate wealth in real estate or personal ventures tied to the sport — brand deals, rinks, training facilities. A wealth manager helps ensure that concentration risk is managed and that the portfolio survives a career-ending injury or market correction.
What happens when the contract ends? Howden is 28. His current deal runs to age 33. At that point, his next contract — which will likely be a significant raise given what he is doing now — will also have an expiry date. The habits and structures established during the current contract are the ones that carry players through the post-career transition.
Tax Planning Across the Border
Howden's situation is further complicated by a factor that applies to all Canadian athletes competing in the United States: cross-border tax liability.
NHL players are taxed on income earned in each jurisdiction where they play games. A Canadian playing in Las Vegas will pay U.S. federal tax on income attributed to games played in the United States, and Canadian federal and provincial tax on income attributed to games in Canada. The "jock tax" — a colloquial term for state and city income tax applied to visiting athletes — applies in many US cities where the Golden Knights play away games.
This kind of cross-border tax exposure is highly specific and requires advice from a professional with experience in Canadian-American tax law. Getting it wrong is expensive; getting it right involves careful tracking of game days, proper treaty elections, and coordinated filing on both sides of the border.
The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada provides resources on financial planning fundamentals that apply to all Canadians — including athletes preparing to manage significant earnings.
What Athletes and Families Should Do Now
For Canadian athletes currently in a contract that may be undervaluing their performance, the practical steps are straightforward. First, understand what the contract actually says — length, total value, performance bonuses (if any), and any clauses that might trigger early negotiation. Second, engage a wealth management professional who has worked with professional athletes and understands the short, concentrated nature of sports earnings. Third, address cross-border tax planning early, not at tax time.
Howden's career path — drafted 27th overall, traded once, signed to a modest extension, now breaking postseason records — is also a reminder that career trajectory is rarely linear. The financial plan that works for a $2.5M earner looks very different from one built for a $10M player, even if the same person occupies both roles within a few years.
For more on how UFA timing affects athletes' financial planning, see our coverage of Brett Kulak's tax planning after two trades in 73 days.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or tax advice. Consult a qualified wealth manager and tax professional for advice specific to your situation.
