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NHL's 25 Highest-Paid Players for 2025-26
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NHL's 25 Highest-Paid Players for 2025-26

Originally posted on Athlon Sports  |  By Scott Boeck  |  Last updated Nov 20, 2025 10:26 AM ET

NHL salaries continue to soar. 

Heading into the 2025-26 season, Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers was newly crowned as the highest-paid player by average annual value (AAV), according to spotrac.com.

He will earn $14 million this season, breaking Auston Matthews’ mark of $13.250 million with the Toronto Maple Leafs. 

Draisaitl’s extension – eight years, $112 million – takes effect this season. But his record won’t last long. Minnesota's Kirill Kaprizov signed an eight-year, $136 million extension that kicks in next season and will set a record of $17 million per year.

There are 20 players earning at least $10 million this season, three more than in 2024-25.

Here's a look at the top 25 highest-paid players for the 2025-26 season, according to spotrac.com.

Highest-paid NHL players, by average annual value

1. Leon Draisaitl, Oilerscenter

  • AAV: $14,000,000
  • Contract details: 8 years, $112 million

2. Auston Matthews, Maple Leafs center 

  • AAV: $13,250,000
  • Contract details: 4 years, $53 million

3. Nathan MacKinnon, Avalanche center

  • AAV: $12,600,000
  • Contract details: 8 years, $100.8 million

4. Connor McDavid, Oilers center

  • AAV: $12,500,000
  • Contract details: 2 years, $25 million

T-5. Mitch Marner, Golden Knights right wing

  • AAV: $12,000,000
  • Contract details: 8 years, $96 million

T-5. Mikko Rantanen, Stars right wing

  • AAV: $12,000,000
  • Contract details: 8 years, $96 million

7. Artemi Panarin, Rangers left wing

  • AAV: $11,642,857
  • Contract details: 7 years, $81.5 million

8. Elias Pettersson, Canucks center

  • AAV: $11,600,000
  • Contract details: 8 years, $92.8 million

T-9. Erik Karlsson, Penguinsdefenseman

  • AAV: $11,500,000
  • Contract details: 8 years, $92 million

T-9. William Nylander, Maple Leafs center

  • AAV: $11,500,000
  • Contract details: 8 years, $92 million

T-9. Igor Shesterkin, Rangers goalie

  • AAV: $11,500,000
  • Contract details: 8 years, $92 million

12. David Pastrnak, Bruins right wing

  • AAV: $11,250,000
  • Contract details: 8 years, $90 million

T-13. Drew Doughty, Kings defenseman

  • AAV: $11,000,000
  • Contract details: 8 years, $88 million

T-13. Rasmus Dahlin, Sabres defenseman

  • AAV: $11,000,000
  • Contract details: 8 years, $88 million

T-15. Evan Bouchard, Oilers defenseman

  • AAV: $10,500,000
  • Contract details: 4 years, $42 million

T-15. Jonathan Huberdeau, Flames left wing

  • AAV: $10,500,000
  • Contract details: 8 years, $84 million

T-15. Carey Price, Canadiens goalie

  • AAV: $10,500,000
  • Contract details: 8 years, $84 million

T-18. Aleksander Barkov, Panthers center

  • AAV: $10,000,000 
  • Contract details: 8 years, $80 million

T-18. Jack Eichel, Golden Knights center

  • AAV: $10,000,000
  • Contract details: 8 years, $80 million

T-18. Sergei Bobrovsky, Panthers goalie

  • AAV: $10,000,000
  • Contract details: 7 years, $70 million

21. Tyler Seguin, Stars center

  • AAV: $9,850,000
  • Contract details: 8 years, $78.8 million

22. Sebastian Aho, Hurricanes center

  • AAV: $9,750,000
  • Contract details: 8 years, $78 million

23. Zach Werenski, Blue Jackets defenseman

  • AAV: $9,583,333
  • Contract details: 6 years, $57.5 million

T-24. Alex Ovechkin, Capitals left wing

  • AAV: $9,500,000
  • Contract details: 5 years, $47.5 million

T-24. Mark Stone, Golden Knights right wing

  • AAV: $9,500,000
  • Contract details: 8 years, $76 million

T-24. Nikita Kucherov, Lightning right wing

  • AAV: $9,500,000
  • Contract details: 8 years, $76 million

T-24. Seth Jones, Panthers defenseman

  • AAV: $9,500,000
  • Contract details: 8 years, $76 million

T-24. Brayden Point, Lightning center

  • AAV: $9,500,000
  • Contract details: 8 years, $76 million

T-24. Matthew Tkachuk, Panthers left wing

  • AAV: $9,500,000
  • Contract details: 8 years, $76 million

T-24. Charlie McAvoy, Bruins defenseman

  • AAV: $9,500,000
  • Contract details: 8 years, $76 million

T-24. Adam Fox, Rangers defenseman

  • AAV: $9,500,000
  • Contract details: 7 years, $66.5 million

T-24. Noah Dobson, Canadiens defenseman

  • AAV: $9,500,000
  • Contract details: 8 years, $76 million

T-24. Andrei Vasilevskiy, Lightning goalie

  • AAV: $9,500,000
  • Contract details: 8 years, $76 million

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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