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The 25 Highest-Paid NHL Defensemen

  • Penguins enforcer Erik Karlsson is the highest-paid NHL defenseman.
  • In 2025, no defenseman earns over $12 million in salary.
Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports

Similar to forwards, compensation among NHL defensemen is very balanced with less than $4 million separating the first and 25th highest-paid defensemen. In 2025, no defenseman makes more than $12 million in annual salary.

Penguins enforcer Erik Karlsson is the highest-paid defenseman, making $11.5 million annually. Karlsson signed an eight-year, $92 million contract with the Sharks in 2019 before being traded to the Penguins in August 2023.

Sharing the second spot are Rasmus Dahlin and Drew Doughty, who both earn $11 million a year. In the fourth position is Oilers stopper Evan Bouchard, who inked a contract extension following the 2025 season.

Rounding out the top five is Zachary Werenski at $9.58 million. Werenski signed a six-year, $57.5 million contract extension in 2021.

Close behind are Charles Mcavoy, Seth Jones, Noah Dobson, and Adam Fox, who each make $9.5 million annually. Fox is set to become a free agent in 2029 while Mcavoy and Jones won’t hit the market until 2030. Dobson’s deal doesn’t run out until 2032.

Ranking The Highest-Paid NHL Defensemen

Here is the full list of the 25 highest-paid NHL defensemen by average annual salary. The list was compiled using data from Spotrac.

RankPlayerTeamYearly Compensation
1Erik KarlssonPittsburgh Penguins$11.5 million
T-2Rasmus DahlinBuffalo Sabres$11 million
T-2Drew DoughtyLos Angeles Kings$11 million
4Evan BouchardEdmonton Oilers$10.5 million
5Zachary WerenskiColumbus Blue Jackets$9.58 million
T-6Charles McavoyBoston Bruins$9.5 million
T-6Seth JonesFlorida Panthers$9.5 million
T-6Noah DobsonMontreal Canadiens$9.5 million
T-6Adam FoxNew York Rangers$9.5 million
10Darnell NurseEdmonton Oilers$9.25 million
11Roman JosiNashville Predators$9.06 million
T-12Cale MakarColorado Avalanche$9 million
T-12Jakob ChychrunWashington Capitals$9 million
T-12Dougie HamiltonNew Jersey Devils$9 million
15Alex PietrangeloVegas Golden Knights$8.8 million
16Moritz SeiderDetroit Red Wings$8.55 million
T-17Mikhail SergachevUtah Hockey Club$8.5 million
T-17Brock FaberMinnesota Wild$8.5 million
T-17Ivan ProvorovColumbus Blue Jackets$8.5 million
20Miro HeiskanenDallas Stars$8.45 million
21Owen PowerBuffalo Sabres$8.35 million
T-22Brent BurnsCarolina Hurricanes$8 million
T-22Jacob TroubaAnaheim Ducks$8 million
T-22Jake SandersonOttawa Senators$8 million
T-22Thomas ChabotOttawa Senators$8 million
T-22John CarlsonWashington Capitals$8 million
T-22Victor HedmanTampa Bay Lightning$8 million
  • Updated: July 1, 2025

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