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The 25 Highest-Paid NHL Forwards

  • 5 million separates the first and twenty-fifth highest earners.
  • Three-time MVP Connor McDavid is the fourth-highest-paid forward.
Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl
Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Due to their undeniable value on the ice, NHL forwards are typically among the highest-paid players in the league. And with the salary cap set to rise from $95.5 million in 2025 to $104 million in 2026 and $113.5 million by 2027, big-name stars on expiring contracts may soon earn even more.

After signing a massive 8-year, $112 million contract extension with the Edmonton Oilers, Leon Draisaitl became the league’s highest-paid forward. The NHL’s top goal-scorer in 2024–25, Draisaitl will be paid $14 million per season through 2032.

The player he unseated, 2021–22 MVP Auston Matthews, slipped to second with $13.25 million per year. In ’23, Matthews signed a four-year, $53 million contract extension to remain with the Maple Leafs.

Four other forwards make at least $12 million per year.

Avalanche star Nathan McKinnon brings in $12.6 million annually after signing a long-term eight-year, $100.8 million contract extension in 2022. Three-time MVP Connor McDavid takes the fourth position, earning $12.5 million yearly, but his contract runs out at the end of the 2025–26 season. At that point, he could sign a deal paying him in the region of $20 million a year.

Tied for fifth are a pair of wings who each signed eight-year, $96 million contracts in 2025: Mitchell Marner of the Vegas Golden Knights and Mikko Rantanen of the Dallas Stars. They’ll make $12 million each season through 2032.

The Highest-Paid Forwards

Here is the full list of the 20 highest-paid NHL forwards by average annual salary. The list was compiled using data from Spotrac.

  • Updated: July 11, 2025
RankPlayerTeamCompensation
1Leon DraisaitlEdmonton Oilers$14 million
2Auston MatthewsToronto Maple Leafs$13.25 million
3Nathan MacKinnonColorado Avalanche$12.6 million
4Connor McDavidEdmonton Oilers$12.5 million
T-5Mitchell MarnerVegas Golden Knights$12 million
T-5Mikko RantanenDallas Stars$12 million
7Artemi PanarinNew York Rangers$11.64 million
8Elias PetterssonVancouver Canucks$11.6 million
9William NylanderToronto Maple Leafs$11.5 million
10David PastrnakBoston Bruins$11.25 million
11Jonathan HuberdeauCalgary Flames$10.5 million
12Aleksander BarkovFlorida Panthers$10 million
13Jack EichelVegas Golden Knights$10 million
14Tyler SeguinDallas Stars$9.85 million
15Sebastian AhoCarolina Hurricanes$9.75 million
T-16Mark StoneVegas Golden Knights$9.5 million
T-16Nikita KucherovTampa Bay Lightning$9.5 million
T-16Brayden PointTampa Bay Lightning$9.5 million
T-16Matthew TkachukFlorida Panthers$9.5 million
T-16Alex OvechkinWashington Capitals$9.5 million
21Mathew BarzalNew York Islanders$9.2 million
T-22Kirill KaprizovMinnesota Wild$9 million
T-22Jake GuentzelTampa Bay Lightning$9 million
24Timo MeierNew Jersey Devils$8.8 million
25Travis KonecnyPhiladelphia Flyers$8.75 million

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