The National Hockey League (NHL) is the most exhilarating hockey competition in the world, featuring many of the greatest players on the planet. But how much do the superstars of the sport make every year?
You can find out when you look through our list of the top 20 richest NHL players active in the league right now, based on their current earnings…
20. Alex Ovechkin (Left Wing)
Salary: $10 million
Team: Washington Capitals
“Ovi” is regarded as a legend among NHL fans. The 34-year-old Russian came to the NHL in 2005 and, aside from one season in the Kontinental Hockey League, has played for the Capitals ever since.
His list of achievements is impressive, including a Stanley Cup, three Hart Memorial Trophies and eight Richard Trophies.
19. P.K. Subban (Defenceman)
Salary: $10 million
Team: New Jersey Devils
Subban is regarded as one of the best defencemen in the league. He moved to New Jersey in 2019, having previously played in Nashville and Montreal.
The hard-hitting player was selected for the First All-Star Team in 2013 and 2015, plus is a previous winner of the prestigious James Norris Memorial Trophy.
18. Max Pacioretty (Left Wing)
Salary: $10.5 million
Team: Vegas Golden Knights
The alternate captain for the Vegas Golden Knights signed a huge contract in 2018, just after he arrived from the Montreal Canadiens.
The prolific forward scored 22 times in his first season in Vegas, taking the team to the first round of the playoffs. He was an NHL All-Star in both 2018 and 2019.
17. Anze Kopitar (Centre)
Salary: $11 million
Team: Los Angeles Kings
The Slovenian centre is the captain of the Los Angeles Kings and was the first ever Slovenian to play in the National Hockey League, as well as the first from his country to compete in an All-Star game. He’s now been selected for five of them.
He’s won two Stanley Cups, as well as two Frank J. Selke Trophies.
16. Sergei Bobrovsky (Goaltender)
Salary: $11.5 million
Team: Florida Panthers
Recognised as one of the top goaltenders in the NHL, Bobrovsky spent most of his career with the Blue Jackets, before signing a seven-year, $70 million contract with the Florida Panthers in July 2019.
The Russian is a two-time NHL All-Star, plus holds a number of records with the Blue Jackets.
15. Erik Karlsson (Defenceman)
Salary: $11.5 million
Team: San Jose Sharks
Karlsson spent the majority of his career playing for the Ottawa Senators, however signed for the San Jose Sharks in 2018.
In June 2019, he signed a new eight-year contract with the Sharks worth $11.5 million per year. He’s a six-time NHL All-Star, plus was a member of the Olympic All-Star team in 2014.
14. Nikita Kucherov (Right Wing)
Salary: $12 million
Team: Tampa Bay Lightning
Kucherov signed a lucrative contract with Tampa Bay Lightning in 2018, and he repaid them by having a stunning season afterwards, winning the Hart Trophy.
While the Lightning didn’t get past the first round of the playoffs, his season was one fans wouldn’t forget, as he led the NHL with 128 points.
13. Drew Doughty (Defenceman)
Salary: $12 million
Team: Los Angeles Kings
Drew Doughty has now played in Los Angeles for over a decade, winning the Stanley Cup with them on two occasions. He has also won the James Norris Memorial Trophy, given to the defensive player with the greatest all-round ability.
His latest contract, signed in 2018, was worth $88 million over eight years.
12. Jacob Trouba (Defenceman)
Salary: $12 million
Team: New York Rangers
Trouba was drafted to the Winnipeg Jets in 2013 and went on to play for them 318 times. He left Canada following the 2018-19 season though, after being traded to the New York Rangers.
He received a contract worth $56 million over seven years when he joined the NY team.
11. Sebastian Aho (Forward)
Salary: $12 million
Team: Carolina Hurricanes
Aho started his career in the Finnish Elite League, before making the move to the National Hockey League in 2016. He was signed by the Carolina Hurricanes and had a breakout season in 2018-19.
Following this, he was ready to go into free agency and sign for Montreal, however their offer was matched by Carolina, so he stayed.
10. Mark Stone (Right Wing)
Salary: $12 million
Team: Vegas Golden Knights
Canadian right wing Mark Stone is alternate captain of the Vegas Golden Knights, however was drafted by the Senators back in 2010, playing there until the end of the 2018-19 season.
His contract extension with the Golden Knights, signed in March 2019, is worth $76 million over eight years,
9. John Carlson (Defenceman)
Salary: $12 million
Team: Washington Capitals
John Carlson has been a mainstay of the Washington Capitals team ever since being drafted back in 2008. He’s known for being a defenceman with an ability to score goals and was a part of the team that won the 2018 Stanley Cup.
He has an eight-year contract worth $64 million.
8. Jamie Benn (Left Wing)
Salary: $13 million
Team: Dallas Stars
Benn was drafted in the fifth round by the Dallas Stars back in 2007 and has remained with the team ever since, aside from short spells with the Texas Stars and Hamburg Freezers.
He’s now the captain of the team and has a contract worth $13 million per year.
7. Tyler Seguin (Centre)
Salary: $13.5 million
Team: Dallas Stars
The highest-paid player on the Dallas Stars’ roster, Seguin has become a lynchpin of the team. He won the Stanley Cup with the Boston Bruins in 2011 and has played six times in the NHL All-Star game.
He signed a bumper $78.8 million contract in 2018, which runs for eight years.
6. Artemi Panarin (Left Wing)
Salary: $14 million
Team: New York Rangers
Artemi Panarin, also known as the “Bread Man”, has previously played for the Chicago Blackhawks and the Columbus Blue Jackets.
He signed a seven-year, $81.5 million deal with the Rangers in July 2019. He was selected for the All-Rookie Team in 2016 and played in the 2020 All-Star Game.
5. Connor McDavid (Centre)
Salary: $15 million
Team: Edmonton Oilers
McDavid is captain of the Edmonton Oilers, as well as their highest paid player.
Despite only being in his early twenties, he has already won the Hart Memorial Trophy, as well as the Art Ross Trophy twice. He has also won the prestigious Ted Lindsay Award on two occasions.
4. Carey Price (Goaltender)
Salary: $15 million
Team: Montreal Canadiens
Carey Price is the best paid goaltender in the National Hockey League, with his 2017 contract being worth a massive $84 million over eight years.
He has played for the Canadiens since being drafted in 2005 and has become a vital part of the team. He won the Hart Memorial Trophy in 2015 – the first goaltender to do so since 2002.
3. John Tavares (Centre)
Salary: $15.9 million
Team: Toronto Maple Leafs
John Tavares is one of three Toronto players at the head of this list, and he earns an impressive $15.9 million per year.
The former number one overall pick made a reputation for himself with the New York Islanders, before signing a seven-year contract in Toronto after the 2017-18 season.
2. Auston Matthews (Centre)
Salary: $15.91 million
Team: Toronto Maple Leafs
At number two in this list is Auston Matthews, the Toronto Maple Leafs centre. He was drafted first overall by the Maple Leafs and scored 40 goals in his rookie season.
Since being drafted, he’s helped Toronto reach the playoffs every year and has also made the All-Star Game every year too. He signed a new contract in 2019 for $58 million.
1. Mitch Marner (Right Wing)
Salary: $16 million
Team: Toronto Maple Leafs
At the top of this list of the current richest NHL players is Mitch Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs, who has a six-year contract worth $16 million per year.
The fourth overall draft pick in the 2015 NHL Draft has played for the Maple Leafs his entire career and was selected for the 2020 All-Star Game.
