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Wednesday, June 4, 2025

The Highest-Paid NHL Players in 2024-25

  • Only three players earn over $12 million annually.
  • Eleven of the highest-paid NHL players are Canadian-born, the most of any nation.
May 4, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) participates in warmups prior to game seven of the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

The NHL is in a boom period, with record viewership in the Stanley Cup Finals and the league’s first salary cap increase in five years.

Add the groundbreaking spectacle of the NHL Draft in Las Vegas and the resounding success of the 4 Nations tournament, and the league is riding a wave of momentum.

The highest-paid NHL players stand to benefit from the additional $4.5 million in cap space. 

Auston Matthews of the Maple Leafs is the highest-paid NHL player, earning $13.25 million annually. He signed a $53 million extension last summer that will keep him in Toronto until 2028. The former number 1 overall pick of the 2016 NHL Draft has earned $60.9 million in his time with the Maple Leafs.

Second is Nathan McKinnon with his $12.6 million salary. The Avalanche center signed an eight-year contract in 2022 that included an $85.34 million signing bonus.

Connor McDavid of the Oilers is third, earning $12.5 million. His eight-year, $100 million contract is fully guaranteed with Edmonton. McDavid earns $9 million more than he did on his rookie deal. 

Fourth is Artemi Panarin who earns $11.64 million per year. The Rangers’ winger will net $81.5 million throughout his seven-year deal. He signed with New York in 2019 after spending the first three years of his career with the Blackhawks. 

Elias Pettersson earns $11.6 million with the Canucks, taking fifth on the list. He signed an extension in March worth $92.8 million over eight years. He’s made $24.8 million with Vancouver since 2018.

Three of the top five highest-paid NHL players are centers. Only 10 players on the list are defensemen or goalies.

Erik Karlsson of the Penguins is the highest-paid defenseman at sixth on the list, earning $11.5 million.

The Maple Leafs are the only team featuring three players among the top 10 highest-paid. All four of their players featured on the list earn at least $10.9 million.

Ranking The NHL’s Highest-Paid Players in 2025

Here is the entire list of the highest-paid NHL players. The list was compiled using data from Spotrac.

  • Updated: March 9th, 2025
RankPlayerTeamTotal Compensation2024-25 Cap Hit
1Auston MatthewsToronto Maple Leafs$13.25 million$13.25 million
2Nathan MacKinnonColorado Avalanche$12.6 million$12.6 million
3Connor McDavidEdmonton Oilers$12.5 million$12.5 million
4Artemi PanarinNew York Rangers$11.64 million$11.64 million
5Elias PetterssonVancouver Canucks$11.6 million$11.6 million
T-6Erik KarlssonPittsburgh Penguins$11.5 million$11.5 million
T-6William NylanderToronto Maple Leafs$11.5 million$11.5 million
8David PastrnakBoston Bruins$11.25 million$11.25 million
T-9Drew DoughtyLos Angeles Kings$11 million$11 million
T-9John TavaresToronto Maple Leafs$11 million$11 million
T-9Rasmus DahlinBuffalo Sabres$11 million$11 million
12Mitchell MarnerToronto Maple Leafs$10.9 million$10.9 million
T-13Carey PriceMontreal Canadiens$10.5 million$10.5 million
T-13Jonathan HuberdeauCalgary Flames$10.5 million$10.5 million
T-15Aleksander BarkovFlorida Panthers$10 million$10 million
T-15Jack EichelVegas Golden Knights$10 million$10 million
T-15Sergei BobrovskyFlorida Panthers$10 million$10 million
18Tyler SeguinDallas Stars$9.85 million$9.85 million
19Sebastian AhoCarolina Hurricanes$9.75 million$9.75 million
20Zachary WerenskiColumbus Blue Jackets$9.58 million$9.58 million
T-21Adam FoxNew York Rangers$9.5 million$9.5 million
T-21Alex OvechkinWashington Capitals$9.5 million$9.5 million
T-21Andrei VasilevskiyTampa Bay Lightning$9.5 million$9.5 million
T-21Brayden PointTampa Bay Lightning$9.5 million$9.5 million
T-21Charles McavoyBoston Bruins$9.5 million$9.5 million
T-21Jamie BennDallas Stars$9.5 million$9.5 million
T-21Mark StoneVegas Golden Knights$9.5 million$9.5 million
T-21Matthew TkachukFlorida Panthers$9.5 million$9.5 million
T-21Nikita KucherovTampa Bay Lightning$9.5 million$9.5 million
T-21Seth JonesFlorida Panthers$9.5 million$9.5 million

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