Report: NHL to pay out $300 million in signing bonuses as scheduled

While the NHL season still is on pause due to the coronavirus pandemic, some players still are waiting to be paid, but it seems they won't have to wait much longer.

According to ESPN's Emily Kaplan, NHL players who are due signing bonuses on July 1 will be paid as scheduled.

There's more than $300 million due to players across the league, and the Toronto Maple Leafs, who lead the league with signing bonus money owed, will need to shell out $60 million. Maple Leafs forwards Auston Matthews ($15.2 million) and Mitch Marner ($14.3 million) will receive the largest payments.

Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid ($13 million) and New York Rangers forward Artemi Panarin  ($12 million) also are among the players who will receive a large sum of money.

The agreement to pay players and not defer was made on Tuesday between the NHL and NHLPA, Kaplan adds. The two sides still are ironing out specific details for the NHL's return-to-play plan, including various health and safety protocols.

A decision on the league's two hub cities has yet to be made, though Edmonton, Toronto and Las Vegas remain in the mix to host teams.