Highest Paid NHL Players Rating 2025: Who Is The Highest Paid NHL Player?

At 28 years old, Darnell Nurse brings an impressive 8-year playing history to the table. While not really among the top paid NHL players, he committed to an extensive $74 million, 8-year contract with the Edmonton Oilers. This agreement secures his presence until 2031 when he turns 35, and the likelihood of a more profitable future contract seems less probable. The current deal includes a notable $24 million signing bonus, along with a guaranteed sum of $74 million and an average yearly salary of $9.25 million. For the 2025 season, Nurse's base salary amounts to $10.4 million, with a corresponding cap hit of $9.25 million.

Brady Tkachuk is a 23-year-old talent with 4 years of professional experience. Recently, Tkachuk inked a substantial 7-year deal worth $57,500,000 with the Ottawa Senators, securing his presence until 2029, when he reaches 29. The youngest in our chart and yet already in the top 25 highest-earning NHL, Tkachuk is likely to get another contract immediately and probably even increase his worth. The current contract guarantees $57,500,000, (no bonuses mentioned), accompanied by an annual average salary of $8,214,286. In the upcoming 2025 season, Tkachuk is set to receive a base salary of $10,500,000, reflecting a cap hit of $8,208,571.

Jonathan Huberdeau, aged 30 and boasting a decade of hockey experience, has secured an impressive 8-year contract worth $84,000,000 with the Calgary Flames. This deal extends to the 2032 season when Huberdeau turns 38. Evidently, this contract is likely to mark a significant milestone in his career, potentially being his final deal. Even in the event of subsequent contracts, it's unlikely Huberdeau will surpass the current yearly earnings statistically and get higher in the list of the NHL highest paid players. The present contract includes a generous $61,500,000 signing bonus, guaranteeing him the full sum of $84,000,000, equating to an annual average salary of $10,500,000. Throughout the 2025 season, Huberdeau's earnings will reach a $3,500,000 base salary and a $7,000,000 signing bonus, concurrently getting to a cap hit of $10,500,000.

Charles McAvoy, aged 25 and already with a solid 5-year experience, has committed to an 8-year contract with the Boston Bruins, valued at $76,000,000. This agreement extends to 2031 and incorporates a substantial signing bonus of $26,500,000. The contract guarantees him the full sum of $76,000,000, meaning an annual average salary of $9,500,000. In the upcoming 2025 season, McAvoy is set to receive a base salary of $7,750,000, alongside a $3,250,000 signing bonus, reaching a cap hit of $9,500,000.

Artemi Panarin, aged 31 and backed by 7 years of substantial experience, has signed a 7-year contract with the New York Rangers, valued at $81,500,000. This commitment is in effect until 2027 and features a $74,500,000 signing bonus. The overall guarantee of the contract stands at $81,500,000, resulting in an annual average salary of $11,642,857. For the upcoming 2025 season, Panarin's earnings will mean a base salary of $1,000,000, increased with a $10,000,000 signing bonus, so a cap hit is $11,642,857.

At the age of 31 and with a decade of experience under his belt, Mark Stone is obviously among the most paid NHL players. He has recently signed an 8-year contract with the Vegas Golden Knights, valued at $76,000,000. This agreement includes a signing bonus of $48,000,000, contributing to the overall guarantee of $76,000,000. His annual earnings will consist of an average salary of $9,500,000, and in the upcoming 2025 season, Stone's compensation package includes a base salary of $6,000,000 and an additional signing bonus of $5,000,000, so a cap hit of $9,500,000 will be reached.

Drew Doughty, aged 33 and backed with a 14-year career history, is surprisingly not the highest paid player in NHL. He has committed to an 8-year contract with the Los Angeles Kings, valued at $88,000,000. This contract is in effect until the 2028 season, aligning with Drew's age of 37. Being 19th in 2025 in terms of yearly cash, Doughty is unlikely to land a bigger contract when this one ends. The present agreement includes a $20,000,000 signing bonus and a full guarantee of $88,000,000. This results in an $11,000,000 base salary, correlating with a cap hit of $11,000,000.

Cale Makar, at 24 years old and boasting 3 years of on-ice experience, is the least experienced player in the whole list, and yet he is already within the 25 top-paid NHL players and has chanced to become the highest paid hockey player with time. He has signed a significant 6-year deal with the Colorado Avalanche, valued at $54,000,000 which spans until 2028. In the forthcoming 2025 season, Makar's compensation package encompasses an $11,000,000 base salary, accompanied by a corresponding cap hit of $9,000,000.

At 26 years of age and a commendable 7-year history, Connor McDavid has landed an 8-year deal with the Edmonton Oilers, valued at an impressive $100,000,000. This agreement extends until 2027, aligning with McDavid's age of 29 so he will still be able to land another awesome contract and become the richest NHL player. The present contract includes a guaranteed sum of $100,000,000, meaning an annual average salary of $12,500,000. In the upcoming 2025 season, McDavid's compensation package has a base salary of $1,000,000 and a $10,000,000 signing bonus, reaching a cap hit of $12,500,000.

Aged 25 and carrying 6 years of valuable experience, Mikhail Sergachev has signed an 8-year agreement with the Tampa Bay Lightning, valued at $68,000,000. This contract spans until 2032, ensuring an annual average income of $8,500,000. For the approaching 2023-24 season, Sergachev's earnings will include a base salary of $4,550,000, a signing bonus of $6,500,000, thus reaching a cap hit of $8,500,000.

Brayden Point, aged 27 and armed with 6 years of solid experience, has signed an 8-year commitment with the Tampa Bay Lightning which extends until the 2031 season and includes a $44,500,000 signing bonus. The contract guarantees Point a full sum of $76,000,000, culminating in an annual average compensation of $9,500,000. For the upcoming 2023-24 season, Point's compensation package includes a $5,000,000 base salary, complemented by a significant $6,250,000 signing bonus, resulting in a cap hit of $9,500,000.

Matthew Tkachuk, aged 25 and holding 6 years of experience, has signed an 8-year contract with the Florida Panthers, valued at $76,000,000. This agreement spans until 2031, when Tkachuk is 32 years of age. The contract features a $68,000,000 signing bonus, ensuring a guaranteed total of $76,000,000 and an annual average income of $9,500,000. In the approaching 2025 season, Tkachuk is set to receive a base salary of $1,000,000, in addition to a $10,250,000 signing bonus, reaching a cap hit of $9,500,000.

At 26 years of age and with 4 years of experience, being another less-experienced player in the list of the 25 top earners in the NHL, Roope Hintz has signed an 8-year commitment with the Dallas Stars, valued at $67,600,000. This agreement continues until 2023 when Hintz is 34. The contract consists of a $12,000,000 signing bonus, a guaranteed sum of $67,600,000 and an annual average salary of $8,450,000. In the upcoming 2025 season, Hintz's compensation package comprises a base salary of $7,500,000 and an additional signing bonus of $4,000,000, thus contributing to a cap hit of $8,450,000.

Erik Karlsson, at the age of 33 and with 13 years of career, is one of the most experienced players in the list so no wonder he is one of the top earners, although he is not the richest hockey player. He has signed an 8-year contract with the San Jose Sharks until 2028, when Karlsson is 37, therefore potentially marking his final contract. The current contract features a $53,000,000 signing bonus, a guaranteed total of $92,000,000, and an annual average income of $11,500,000. In the upcoming 2025 season, Karlsson's earnings comprise a base salary of $10,500,000 and a signing bonus of $1,000,000, correlating with a cap hit of $11,500,000.

Adam Fox signed a 7-year / $66,500,000 contract with the New York Rangers till 2030 when he is 31 and will still be able to land a good contract and continue playing. Now his age is 25 and his experience is only 3 years which makes him less experienced and yet already in the top earners list. The current agreement includes a $17,500,000 signing bonus, $66,500,000 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of $9,500,000. In 2025, Fox will earn a base salary of $12,000,000, with a cap hit of $9,500,000.

Zachary Werenski has recently signed a 6-year agreement with the Columbus Blue Jackets, valued at $57,500,000 until 2029. It includes a $20,500,000 signing bonus. Within this contract, Werenski is guaranteed the full sum of $57,500,000, culminating in an annual average compensation of $9,583,333. For the upcoming 2025 season, his earnings package will result in a base salary of $10,000,000, and a $2,000,000 signing bonus, resulting in a cap hit of $9,583,333. These terms align with Werenski's age of 26 and his 6 years of experience, and he will probably get higher on this list with time.

At 27 years old, boasting 9 years of experience, Aleksander Barkov has signed an agreement with the Florida Panthers. The agreement spans 8 years, safeguarding his interests until 2031, a time when Barkov will be a seasoned 35-year-old player. The terms secure $80 million. During the forthcoming 2025 season, Barkov's earnings will encompass a base salary of $1 million, accompanied by an $11 million signing bonus. Therefore, a $10 million cap hit will be reached.

At the age of 26, with six years of experience under his belt, Timo Meier has officially signed a substantial 8-year deal with the New Jersey Devils. This deal is extended until 2032 when he reaches 34, the age which still positions him for another profitable contract. The ongoing contract includes a significant $35.2 million signing bonus, ensuring $70.4 million guaranteed and an annual salary of $8.8 million. In the upcoming 2025 season, Meier stands to earn a base salary of $6 million, plus a matching signing bonus, while maintaining a cap hit impact of $8.8 million.

At 33 years old and after 14 years of experience, Alex Pietrangelo is the most experienced player in the list, and therefore no wonder he is among the ten top earners in NHL. He has signed a 7-year agreement with the Vegas Golden Knights, extending until 2028 when he'll be 37. This contract includes a $35 million signing bonus, meaning $61.6 million in guaranteed earnings, alongside an annual average salary of $8.8 million. During the 2025 season, Pietrangelo is set to a base salary of $4.3 million, accompanied by an $8 million signing bonus, maintaining a cap hit of $8.8 million.

At 37 years of age and with a remarkable 17-year career behind him, Alex Ovechkin has signed a 5-year agreement with the Washington Capitals, lasting until 2027. This very contract is likely to be his final in North America, as he'll reach the age of 41 by then. While he is in the top 10 earners in the NHL today, he is also the oldest player in this list. The current contract includes a $34.5 million signing bonus, a guaranteed sum of $47.5 million, and an annual average salary of $9.5 million. In the upcoming 2025 season, Ovechkin is to receive a base salary of $1 million, complemented by a $11.5 million signing bonus, thus maintaining a cap hit of $9.5 million.

At 26 years old, having accumulated 2 years of experience, Kirill Kaprizov is officially the least experienced player in our list and yet, he is within the top 5 highest-paid players in this list! He has signed a 5-year commitment with the Minnesota Wild, spanning until the 2026 season. Kaprizov, upon reaching 31 as this contract concludes, will be experienced enough for another favorable agreement. The ongoing contract entails a guaranteed sum of $45,000,000, without any specified bonuses, accompanied by an annual average salary of $9,000,000. In the upcoming 2025 season, Kaprizov stands to collect a base salary of $12,500,000, upholding a cap impact of $9,000,000.

At 28 years old and boasting an impressive 9-year career, Seth Jones has signed an 8-year deal with the Chicago Blackhawks, extending until 2030. This contract entails a significant $40,250,000 signing bonus, ensuring a guaranteed sum of $76,000,000 and an annual average income of $9,500,000. In the upcoming 2025 season, Jones is set to get a base salary of $7,500,000, plus a signing bonus of $5,000,000, thus reaching a cap hit of $9,500,000.

At 30 years of age and with a decade of experience, Dougie Hamilton has signed a 7-year commitment with the New Jersey Devils, extending until the 2029 season when he is 39. The present agreement secures $63,000,000 as a guaranteed sum, accompanied by an annual average of $9,000,000. In the upcoming 2025 season, Hamilton is to receive a base salary of $10,600,000, complemented by a $2,000,000 signing bonus, with a cap impact of $9,000,000.

Being only 27 and boasting an impressive 8-year career, David Pastrnak has signed an 8-year deal worth $90,000,000 with the Boston Bruins, lasting until the 2032 season. Given his age, this contract might serve as his final deal, at least in North America. This agreement comprises a $26,500,000 signing bonus, a guaranteed sum of $90,000,000 and an annual average salary of $11,250,000. For the forthcoming 2025 season, Pastrnak's earnings will reach a base salary of $8,500,000, with a $4,500,000 signing bonus, maintaining a cap hit of $11,250,000.

At the age of 27, taking advantage of a rich 9-year experience, Nathan MacKinnon has signed an 8-year contract valued at $100,800,000 with the Colorado Avalanche, extending until the 2031 season. While he is the highest paid NHL player 2025 and the top player in 2023, by 2031 he will be about 35 years old and it is yet unclear how his career will turn. This current agreement includes a $85,340,000 signing bonus, a guaranteed sum of $100,800,000, alongside an annual average wage of $12,600,000. Throughout the upcoming 2025 season, MacKinnon is expected to receive a base salary of $775,000, plus a $15,725,000 signing bonus, reaching his cap hit of $12,600,000.