Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid is back on top after Forbes unveiled its rankings of the NHL’s highest-paid players.
Ranked No. 1 in 2018 and 2019, the four-time All-Star will earn $16.4 million in the 2021-22 season between his $12.4 million salary and $4 million from off-ice ventures.
The next three highest-paid players:
- Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews ($12.2 million)
- San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson ($12.1 million)
- Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price ($11.8 million)
The NHL’s top players have seen their annual earnings drop by 27% since 2019. The league’s top 10 earners this season will pocket a combined $117 million.
The other major U.S. leagues by comparison:
- MLB’s 10 highest-paid players made a combined $357 million this year.
- The NFL’s top 10 earners will pocket $418 million in 2021.
- The NBA’s 10 highest-paid players are set to make a collective $714 million this season.
Disney’s ABC/ESPN is paying $400 million annually to serve as the NHL’s lead TV partner, while Turner Sports is paying $255 million per year for the “B” package.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said the league expects to generate more than $5 billion in revenue during the 2021-2022 season.
![[Subscription Customers Only] Jun 15, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Botafogo owner John Textor inside the stadium before the match during a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Lumen Field.](https://frontofficesports.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/USATSI_26465842_168416386_lowres-scaled.jpg?quality=100&w=1024)
![[Subscription Customers Only] Jul 13, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Chelsea FC midfielder Cole Palmer (10) celebrates winning the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium](https://frontofficesports.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/USATSI_26636703-scaled-e1770932227605.jpg?quality=100&w=1024)
