Who Is the Highest Paid NHL Player in 2025? Full Salary Breakdown

The landscape of NHL player compensation continues to evolve as franchise revenues grow, star players negotiate larger performance-based deals, and salary-cap strategies shift from season to season. Understanding who is the highest paid NHL player in 2025 requires more than looking at a simple headline salary number. NHL contracts are complex financial structures blending guaranteed salary, cap-hit calculations, bonuses, incentives, and off-ice earnings. This guide breaks down how top players earn their money, how contracts are constructed, and how superstar deals compare to league-wide averages.

How NHL Salaries Are Structured in 2025

NHL contracts follow a sophisticated payment framework driven by collective bargaining rules and team salary-cap limits. Each player’s financial profile includes several components that influence both actual earnings and team payroll management. Understanding these components provides context for evaluating why certain players rank among the top earners.

Base Salary vs. Average Annual Value (AAV)

A player’s base salary is the guaranteed amount paid during a season. In contrast, the Average Annual Value (AAV) represents how the total contract value is divided across its term for salary-cap purposes. For instance, a player may receive $14 million in actual cash for a given year while carrying a cap hit of $12.5 million. This distinction explains why some “highest-paid” lists differ depending on whether analysts rank by AAV or by cash earnings.

Teams often adjust salary distribution to front-load or back-load deals. Front-loaded contracts give players more cash in earlier years, while consistent AAV across seasons allows teams to plan long-term cap strategy more effectively.

Signing Bonuses & Performance Bonuses

Signing bonuses are increasingly common in modern NHL deals. These bonuses are paid regardless of season interruptions and may be structured in lump sums on July 1 each year. Elite players often negotiate large signing bonuses to reduce financial risk and enhance cash flow.

Performance bonuses, typically earned by younger or older players, offer additional compensation for achieving milestones such as goals, assists, time on ice, or postseason awards. Although not all players qualify for performance bonuses, they can significantly boost total annual earnings for those who do.

Guaranteed Money & Contract Protection

The NHL does not guarantee contracts in the same way the NFL does, but most multi-year deals for elite players include substantial guaranteed sums. Buyout rules, no-trade clauses, and no-movement clauses further protect a player’s stability and earnings. High-profile players often secure full or partial no-movement clauses as leverage.

The Highest Paid NHL Players in 2025

Determining the highest paid players in 2025 depends on whether rankings emphasize cap hit (AAV) or real-year cash earnings. Based on widely referenced authorities such as Spotrac, CapFriendly, and official contract filings, several elite players consistently rank at the top. These rankings adjust as extensions are signed, but the earning power of certain superstars remains unmatched.

Leon Draisaitl

One of the league’s most dominant forwards, Leon Draisaitl commands one of the NHL’s highest AAV figures. His combination of top-tier production, playoff success, and marketability continues to justify his position at the upper end of salary rankings. His contract includes lucrative annual cash payouts and performance incentives reflective of his elite status.

Auston Matthews

Auston Matthews remains among the NHL’s most valuable forwards. His multi-year agreement with Toronto delivers one of the league’s highest AAV totals, driven by consistent scoring output and franchise-cornerstone importance. Matthews’ endorsements and strong international following further elevate his total income beyond on-ice salary.

Nathan MacKinnon

Nathan MacKinnon’s long-term contract with Colorado places him in the top tier of NHL earners. His combination of leadership, elite offensive capability, and championship pedigree made him a priority signing when the Avalanche structured his deal. His salary distribution includes both substantial guaranteed pay and competitive cap-hit numbers.

How Much Does the Average NHL Player Make?

Fans often ask how much does the average NHL player make, but the answer requires nuance. While media outlets frequently cite league averages, these numbers are heavily inflated by superstar contracts carrying AAVs exceeding $12 million. The median salary—representing the midpoint of all player salaries—is far more reflective of typical roster earnings.

Salary Distribution Across the League

The league minimum salary for 2025 sits near the $775,000 range, and many young or depth players earn salaries clustered near that threshold. At the opposite end, multi-million-dollar contracts are awarded to elite forwards, top-pair defensemen, and franchise goalies.

The contrast between median and average highlights the widening salary gap: a handful of superstars earn massive amounts while a large portion of the league earns closer to the minimum or mid-range salary levels.

Differences by Position

Certain roles command higher compensation. Centers with elite playmaking ability consistently rank among the highest earners. Top-pair defensemen also secure premium deals due to scarcity of high-end talent at the position. Goalies see the greatest volatility: while a handful command impressive salaries, many others remain on mid-tier or short-term contracts.

Total Earnings: Salary, Bonuses & Off-Ice Income

The question how much money do NHL players make is not limited to their official contract salary. Off-ice earnings through endorsements, sponsorships, and appearances play a significant role for star players. Athletes with strong branding, leadership reputations, or international followings can multiply their annual income through commercial partnerships.

Endorsements

Top players regularly partner with equipment manufacturers, sports-nutrition brands, and lifestyle companies. Deals with CCM, Bauer, Adidas, or local corporate sponsors can add six or seven figures to a star player’s earnings each year. Players in large markets benefit from broader media exposure, but even small-market stars with elite talent maintain strong endorsement opportunities.

Bonuses & Incentives

Performance bonuses—for points, awards, or playoff achievements—are common in certain contracts and can meaningfully increase annual income. Some players also receive incentives tied to games played, making durability a component of total compensation.

Age, Longevity & Peak Earning Windows

Player age significantly influences contract negotiations. Most NHL stars secure their highest-value deals between ages 24 and 30. After this peak window, teams adjust expectations based on durability, projected decline, and leadership value.

The Prime Years

During a player’s mid-to-late twenties, their statistical output, physical condition, and marketability typically align at peak levels. Teams invest heavily during this period, often offering long-term security with premium AAV figures. These deals maximize both production and stability for clubs aiming for championship contention.

Later-Career Contracts

Veteran players entering their mid-thirties often see shorter deals with lower AAV but with performance bonuses added to offset risk. These contracts reward experience without long-term obligations. Discussions about longevity naturally lead to interest in who is the oldest player in the NHL and how age affects earning potential.

Roster Size, Salary-Cap Allocation & Team Strategy

Teams must distribute salary-cap space across their entire roster, impacting how many star contracts they can absorb. Understanding how many players are on an NHL team is essential for analyzing cap strategy. NHL teams typically carry a 23-man active roster during the regular season, with additional players assigned to minors or injured reserve.

Top-Heavy Cap Strategy

Clubs building around one or two superstars often allocate a large portion of their cap space to those contracts. While this approach increases top-end performance, it can limit depth and flexibility, especially during injury-heavy seasons.

Balanced Cap Strategy

Other teams distribute salary more evenly across lines and pairings. This approach may reduce star-level talent but increases lineup stability. Balanced teams often rely on strong coaching and systems rather than star-driven offense.

Revenue, Merchandising & Player Marketability

Beyond cap considerations, superstar players contribute significantly to team merchandising, ticket sales, and brand recognition. Fan engagement drives jersey sales and sponsorship visibility. Merchandise categories such as NHL apparel directly support revenue streams that justify elite player contracts.

The Commercial Effect of Star Players

High-profile athletes lead league-wide merchandise charts. A star who consistently sells jerseys can influence corporate partnerships, broadcast exposure, and fan-base growth. Teams factor this marketability into contract negotiations even when performance metrics alone don’t justify maximum salaries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the highest paid NHL player right now?

The highest paid players in 2025 include superstars such as Leon Draisaitl, Auston Matthews, and Nathan MacKinnon. Rankings shift as new extensions are signed, but these players consistently appear near the top of both AAV and total cash-earnings charts. Reputable salary databases such as Spotrac and CapFriendly update rankings in real time.

How much does the average NHL player make?

The average annual salary across the league typically falls between $3 million and $4 million, but this is distorted by superstar-level contracts. The median salary—usually around $1.3 to $1.5 million in recent seasons—provides a clearer picture of what most players earn.

How do bonuses affect contract value?

Bonuses can substantially increase income, especially in buyout-protected contracts or incentive-loaded deals for younger players. Signing bonuses are guaranteed money, while performance bonuses reward specific achievements and games played.

Where can I find accurate, real-time salary rankings?

Reliable sources include:

• Spotrac — https://www.spotrac.com/nhl/
• CapFriendly — https://www.capfriendly.com
• NHLPA Contract Information — https://www.nhlpa.com
• The Athletic (salary analysis) — https://theathletic.com/nhl/

Final Takeaways

1. Elite players command top salaries because of performance, marketability, and contract leverage.
2. Understanding NHL compensation requires evaluating both AAV and actual cash flow.
3. Age, position, and endorsement potential all influence total annual earnings.
4. Team strategies differ widely in how they allocate cap space across a roster.
5. Reliable third-party trackers remain the best tools for monitoring salary updates and extensions.