Ice hockey news: Who are the highest-paid players in the NHL?

Ice hockey has never been bigger, and by the looks of things, neither have the NHL players’ salaries. 

From the Stanley Cup Playoffs to the new hit TV show, Heated Rivalry, the sport is plastered all over our screens. And for good reason. 

From explosive scorers like Leon Draisaitl and Auston Matthews to franchise icons such as Connor McDavid, teams are continuing to pump, finance and invest megabucks into elite talent capable of transforming a season.

And most importantly, delivering the holy grail of ice hockey trophies, the Stanley Cup. 

The NHL’s financial landscape has changed dramatically over the past few decades, from the days of Wayne Gretzky - when The Times of India reported he earned $46 million over his 20-year career - to today, when NHL ‘superstars’ often earn well over $10 million per season. 

Here, Sports News Blitz’s ice hockey writer Rebecca Phillips breaks down the seven highest-paid players in the NHL right now. 

And so, who are the stars cashing in at the top of the hockey world? Let’s meet them. 

7. Elias Pettersson

Elias Pettersson, 27, started his NHL career back in 2017, where he was picked fifth overall (impressive) by the Vancouver Canucks. 

The Swedish star wasted little time demonstrating he truly belonged in the NHL, scoring five goals in his first five games before a concussion forced him to the bench for two weeks of recovery. 

Over the course of his 10-year career, Pettersson has racked up an impressive 200 goal points; however, during the 2025-26 season, according to NHL.com, he has managed only 15 goal points. 
Considering his position (Centre) and comparing him to the likes of other centres such as Sidney Crosby and his 29 goal points over the 2025-26 season.

Regardless of his point-scoring abilities, Pettersson is clearly doing something right; as the NHL star is reportedly racking up a whopping $14.5 million per season (reported by DAZN), affording him the place of the seventh-highest-paid hockey player in the NHL right now. 

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6. Mikko Rantanen 
Mikko Rantanen started his ice hockey career in 2015, when he was selected 10th overall by the Colorado Avalanche. 

The 29-year-old played for the mighty (and soon-to-be 2026 Stanley Cup winners) Avalanche for 10 years before doing a brief stint at the Carolina Hurricanes (2024-25) until he was ultimately traded to the Dallas Stars on March 7, 2025. 

He signed an eight-year, $96 million contract.

NHL.com reports that Rantanen has become the fourth Finland-born player to score at least 300 in the NHL, joining the likes of Teemu Selanne (684), Jari Kurri (601) and Olli Jokinen  (321). 

To top it all off, Rantanen was named to Team Finland’s roster for the Winter Olympic Games in Milan Cortina 2026. In which Finland won a bronze medal, finishing behind Canada (2nd) and the USA (1st).

DAZN reports that the Finnish legend is earning roughly $15 million per season, making him our sixth-highest earning in the NHL. 

5. Mitch Marner 

Mitch Marner was drafted back in 2016 and picked fourth overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs. 

Marner played for the Maple Leafs until just last year (2025), when he was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights and signed an eight-year, $96 million contract. 

The Vegas Golden Knights are still in contention to win the Stanley Cup as they continue to battle it out against the Colorado Avalanche, with an impressive (yet hugely disappointing for any other fellow Avalanche fans out there) 3-0 lead.

The 29-year-old is clearly proving to be a lucky charm for the Golden Knights, so who can blame them for paying him an immense $15 million per season? 

Mitch Marner, welcome! You are our fifth biggest earner in the NHL right now.

4. Auston Matthews

Top dog Austen Matthews currently has only played for the Toronto Maple Leafs; who can blame them for wanting to keep a hold of Matthews? 

Especially considering he went as the 1st overall pick back in 2016. 

Matthews has clocked up a staggering 689 goal points over the course of his career so far. 

He is also, might I add, a record-setter; in his debut game, back in October 2016, the hockey legend scored four goals, becoming the first player in the League’s modern era to do so. 

The Californian 28-year-old has certainly upped the ante for newcomers to the NHL.  

That being said, the Toronto Maple Leafs did not qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs this year. 

Why, you ask? It’s widely speculated that the team’s loss of player Mitch Marner left the Maple Leafs in a rather compromising position. 

Still, you won’t catch Matthews eating super noodles for dinner anytime soon, as he’s raking in $15.2 million per season.

Welcome to spot number four, Mr Matthews.

3. Igor Shesterkin 

Igor Shesterkin, our first goalie to make today’s super earners list! 

Shesterkin was drafted back in 2014 by the New York Rangers. 

Considering he was picked 118th overall back in 2014, 30-year-old Shesterkin has established himself as one of the elite goaltenders in the NHL and is, according to ESPN, now officially the highest-paid goalie in league history. 

Since arriving in New York, the Russian star has built a reputation for his lightning-fast reflexes, composure under pressure, and game-altering performances.

So if that doesn’t explain why he’s made number three on our list, earning $15.8 million per season, I quite simply don’t know what does.

2. Nathan Mackinnon

I don’t think any ice hockey fan here would be surprised to learn that the NHL icon, Nathan Mackinnon, was picked first overall by the Colorado Avalanche all the way back in 2013.  

Mackinnon aided the retrieval of Canada’s Silver medal at this year’s Winter Olympic Games in Milano Cortina, just missing out on gold with an overall score of 2-1. 

The 30-year-old Canadian centre has earned every little bit of his superstar status through elite performances. 

Not to mention, Mackinnon played a key role in helping the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in 2022. 

Fingers crossed they do it all again this year. 

For those reasons, Mackinnon has earned our second spot with DAZN, reporting the star earns $16.05 million per season. 

1. Leon Draisaitl

Finally, we reach our number one spot! Leon Draisaitl is our biggest earner. 

Drafted back in 2014 and picked third overall by the Edmonton Oilers, 30-year-old Draisaitl is one of the NHL’s most dominant offensive players, not only due to his staggering income - but also due to his incredible scoring ability, playmaking vision, and, of course, consistency. 

Since entering the league, he has developed into one of hockey’s premier players, regularly producing elite point totals while forming a devastating partnership with fellow superstar Connor McDavid. 

His performances have helped establish the Oilers as one of the NHL’s top contenders in recent years. 

No wonder the Oilers have kept a hold of him, and why they pay him a whopping $16.5 million per season.

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