Let’s talk dollar signs.
The NHL may not be able to offer the same contracts seen in the NFL, NBA, or MLB, but there are still millions to be made on the ice. Plenty of players in the league currently make eight figures on their contracts, and there are even a couple who have nine-digit deals.
The names at the top shouldn’t surprise the fans. The top four remain the same from the 2024-25 season, with Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, Nathan MacKinnon, and Artemi Panarin leading the way. However, there are a few new names on the top-20 list, with new deals kicking in this fall.
One name not on the list that will be in next year’s edition is Leon Draisaitl. The Oilers star signed a massive eight-year, $ 112 million extension with Edmonton ahead of this season, with an AAV of $ 14 million. Once his deal is on the books in 2025-26, he will be the highest-paid player in the league.
But that’s next season. Who is the highest-paid hockey player in the NHL for the 2024-25 campaign?
MORE: The Sporting News’ predictions for NHL final standings, playoffs, Stanley Cup
The Sporting News lists the NHL’s 20 highest-paid players in terms of average annual value (AAV) for the 2024-25 season.
NHL’s highest-paid players 2024-25
1. Auston Matthews
- AAV: $ 13.25 million
There’s a new man atop the NHL’s highest-paid list. Auston Matthews inked a four-year extension with the Leafs in the summer of 2023, and now, that deal is in effect. His AAV of $ 13.25 million makes him the only player earning at least $ 13 million in the 2024-25 season. With three Rocket Richards to his name, the sniper is worth every penny.
2. Nathan MacKinnon, C, Avalanche
- AAV: $ 12.6 million
Nathan MacKinnon gets knocked down to No. 2 on the list with the Matthews extension. The Avalanche center is a workhorse, and after taking a team-friendly deal previously, he cashed in on an eight-year, $ 100.6 million extension two years ago. He is fresh off winning his first Hart Trophy as league MVP.
3. Connor McDavid, C, Oilers
- AAV: $ 12.5 million
The best player in hockey doesn’t make the most money … yet. Connor McDavid earns a cool $ 12.5 million a season, but that deal is set to expire in 2026. An extension is coming down the line in the next year, and with three Hart Trophies, five Art Ross Trophies, and a Rocket Richard, whatever number McDavid gets likely still won’t be enough for what he brings to the Oilers.
4. Artemi Panarin, LW, Rangers
- AAV: $ 11.64 million
Artermi Panarin is entering the sixth year of his seven-year, $ 81.5 million contract he signed in free agency with the Rangers in 2019. The Russian winger has been one of the best free agent signings in recent history and is coming off a career-high 120 points last year.
5. Elias Pettersson, C, Canucks
- AAV: $ 11.6 million
One of the newest names to the top-25 list, Elias Pettersson is set to start his first year on his eight-year, $ 92.8 million contract he signed with the Canucks last season. After speculation that Pettersson would be moved out of Vancouver, the two-way star signed a long-term deal, keeping him with the club. The Canucks are gambling that the 25-year-old can be the franchise center for the future.
T6. William Nylander, RW, Maple Leafs
- AAV: $ 11.5 million
William Nylander cashed in on an impressive first half of the 2023-24 season, earning an eight-year, $ 92 million contract extension. The Maple Leafs winger has arguably been the most consistent figure on the Toronto core not named Auston Matthews. Nylander is coming off a career year and can continue to prove the deal was worth it.
T6. Erik Karlsson, D, Penguins
- AAV: $ 11.5 million
If it feels like Erik Karlsson has been on this list forever, it’s because he has — and he won’t be leaving it anytime soon. The Penguins defenseman still has three years left on his massive contract that earns him $ 11.5 million a season. The 34-year-old is far from the sensational blue liner he was in his prime; however, he still is effective as a top-four defenseman —just not at his price tag.
8. David Pastrnak, RW, Bruins
- AAV: $ 11.25 million
When discussing dominant goal scorers in the league, David Pastrnak is close to the top. The one they call “Pasta” is in the second year of an eight-year, $ 90 million contract with the Bruins. He’s potted at least 40 goals the past three seasons and four of the past five, with the exception being the shortened 2020 season.
T9. John Tavares, C, Maple Leafs
- AAV: $ 11 million
John Tavares is in the final year of his seven-year, $ 77 million contract he signed with the Maple Leafs in 2018. This will be the first season since his first in Toronto that he isn’t wearing the “C,” as Matthews takes over the honor for 2024-25. The veteran has been a worthwhile signing by Toronto, playing as an excellent second-line center behind Matthews. However, his future with his hometown team may be running out.
T9. Rasmus Dahlin, D, Sabres
- AAV: $ 11 million
Rasmus Dahlin enters this list after signing an eight-year, $ 88 million deal with the Sabres. The No. 1 pick from 2018 has gotten better and better each season with Buffalo, turning into the franchise defenseman the Sabres hoped he’d be. At 24, there’s a good chance this deal ages beautifully for Buffalo.
T9. Drew Doughty, D, Kings
- AAV: $ 11 million
Drew Doughty is entering the sixth season of his eight-year, $ 88 million extension he inked with the Kings. The defenseman potted 15 goals last season, the most in his career since the 2009-10 season. He may not be worth his exact dollar amount, but Doughty remains a strong force on the Los Angeles blue line.
12. Mitch Marner, RW, Maple Leafs
- AAV: $ 10.903 million
Mitch Marner now ranks fourth of the “Core Four” in Toronto in AAV, and he falls out of the top-10 this season. There was speculation that the Leafs were going to move on from Marner, who has just one year left on his six-year extension with Toronto, but instead, he’ll ride out his final year with the same team. While he’s been dominant in the regular season, there are concerns about his playoff play.
T13. Carey Price, G, Canadiens
- AAV: $ 10.5 million
Carey Price is the highest-paid goalie in the league, yet he hasn’t played in a game since the 2021-22 season. It’s unlikely he’ll ever suit up again for the Canadiens, which is unfortunate considering just how elite he was when healthy. Montreal remains on the hook for Price for another two years.
T13. Jonathan Huberdeau, LW, Flames
- AAV: $ 10.5 million
Jonathan Huberdeau has yet to live up to the massive deal he signed with the Flames after he was a part of the Matthew Tkachuk deal in 2022. He is only in the second year of his eight-year, $ 84 million deal, and if Huberdeau isn’t able to right the ship in Calgary, his deal will go down as one of the worst in league history.
T15. Jack Eichel, C, Golden Knights
- AAV: $ 10 million
The trade with the Sabres for Jack Eichel paid off in a big way for the Golden Knights, who won the Stanley Cup with the center at the helm in 2023. In Vegas, he has flourished into the elite center he was supposed to be in Buffalo. Eichel is entering the seventh year of an eight-year, $ 80 million extension he signed in Buffalo, so he will be due another deal soon.
T15. Sergei Bobrovsky, G, Panthers
- AAV: $ 10 million
The second goalie on the list and only one technically still active is Sergei Bobrovsky. The veteran goaltender is fresh off a Stanley Cup win, the first in his career. He was sensational for Florida for the second consecutive postseason. At one point, Bobrovsky’s deal was viewed as an overpay, but his performance over the past two years has made it all worth it.
T15. Aleksander Barkov, C, Panthers
- AAV: $ 10 million
Another Panther making a cool $ 10 million a season is Aleksander Barkov. The Finnish center continues to be a two-way force for Florida and is coming off not only a Stanley Cup win but also his second Selke Trophy. There are few players who impact the game at both ends of the ice like Barkov.
18. Tyler Seguin, C, Stars
- AAV: $ 9.85 million
The Tyler Seguin of old is no longer, as injuries and age have hurt the Stars forward. However, he has carved out a key role in Dallas, continuing to make an impact in a depth role. The Stars still have him signed for three more seasons, and it’s unlikely he returns to his elite form.
18. Sebastian Aho, C, Hurricanes
- AAV: $ 9.75 million
Sebastian Aho finds himself in the top 20 of highest-paid NHLers after signing an eight-year, $ 78 million extension with the Hurricanes. The Finnish center is an incredibly effective two-way forward, and he has been a key cog in the dominant Carolina system. He borders on the true superstar level, but at 27, he is in his prime.
20. Zach Werenski, D, Blue Jackets
- AAV: $ 9.583 million
Zach Werenski is coming off his best season yet in the NHL, recording a career-high 57 points. The defenseman finally was able to stay relatively healthy, although that didn’t help the Blue Jackets’ record much. He remains one of the lone bright spots in an organization destined to be in the cellar of the NHL again.
