Top 10 highest-paid NHL players in 2023

The 2023-24 National Hockey League (NHL) season is now just a day away. The excitement levels of the fans have risen as they are in a boisterous mood for the campaign to get underway.

Like every season, several new faces will be making their debut while some change cities to play for their new clubs. Apart from them, some stars like Auston Matthews and Trevor Zegras have signed big long-term deals. This has led to a question among fans – who is the highest-paid player this year?

When it comes to finance, the NHL has slightly fewer numbers compared to the NBA, MLB, and NFL. Despite this, the league has created its place as one of the top sporting leagues in the world. The success in recent years has also hinted at an increase in the salary cap from 2025, another sign of profit and revenue made by the league.

Related: Top 10 highest-paid NHL players of all time

List of top ten highest-paid NHL players this year

10. Timo Meier

Starting off at number 10 on this list is Timo Meier. The 26-year-old has been one of the top players going forward last season. After teasing about going onto the restricted free agent list, he was signed by the New Jersey Devils. The NJ side poached him from the San Jose Sharks and signed an eight-year $70.4 million contract extension.

His total earnings this year have been near $12.2 million this year. Out of this, he has made a staggering amount of $12 million through his on-field performances. He has also been active outside of the ice field and has made $0.2 million through his off-field resources.

9. Adam Fox

From a 26-year-old to a 25-year-old. Defenseman Adam Fox is the youngest player on this year’s list of highest earners. This is enough to tell about his capabilities on the ice field. After winning the Norris trophy for the league’s best defenceman, Fox has not looked back since. He has stood like a wall in the defense of the New York Rangers.

His showings this year have yielded him around $12.3 million. Same as Meier, he has also collected $12 million for his performances and bonus while the rest $0.3 comes from sponsorship deals. He is one of the players to look out for in the upcoming season.

8. Alex Pietrangelo

The name of Alex Pietrangelo has dominated recent years of the NHL. The 33-year-old forward has demonstrated his unique skills as a defenseman and has become an important aspect of the league. After leading the St Louis Blues to the Stanley Cup triumph in 2019, he signed with the Vegas Golden Knights. What did he do here? He won another Stanley Cup.

He has played a key part in the Knights success this year and will be looking to repeat the heroics of last season. Standing at the heart of the defense of the reigning champions, he has amazed over $12.4 million this year. With his current contract of $61.6 million for seven years including a no-movement clause, he is likely to stay in Vegas and continue to rise in the rankings.

7. Seth Jones

The Chicago Blackhawks are about to start a new era. With Jonathan Toews no longer at the club and the rise of Connor Bedard, things are looking different for them, One man who has presented himself as Toews’s successor for the captain’ role is Jones. His name on this list does make his case strong for the leadership role in the 2023-24 season.

Signing an eight-year $76 million deal in January 2021, Jones has proved his defensive capabilities to his team. His earnings of $12.6 million this year with the majority of it coming from on-field, shows how valuable of an asset he can be for the Blackhawks.

6. Dougie Hamilton

The number six entry this year goes to another New Jersey Devils player, Dougie Hamilton. Another top defenseman in this list, Hamilton has been playing with consistency throughout the season. Now entering his third year of the $63 million seven-year deal he signed in 2021, his performances have seen his pay raise every year.

After a breakout year last season, he has collected $12.7 million. This figure could easily rise as he continues to establish himself as one of the best at the back in this industry.

5. Kirill Kaprizov

Winning a major honor in their rookie year means only one thing – the player is destined for success in the future. The same has been the case with Kirill Kaprizov, who has done nothing but shine in the NHL. After winning the Calder Trophy in 2021 in his rookie year, Kaprizov signed a five-year $45 million extension with the Minnesota Wild.

While there had been some issues in the negotiations, the left winger has kept his side of the bargain. He has amazed around $13 million this year. Around $12.5 million from this have come from his on-field performances alone, solidifying his case as a proper attacking threat going forward.

4. David Pastrnak

Coming into fourth this year on the list is David Pastrnak. Nicknamed “Pasta” by the fanbase, the 27-year-old has been the main man for the Boston Bruins going forward this year. The side would soon understand his estimate and lock him down with an eight-year $90 million mega deal.

He has made over $13.8 million this year, with around $13 million coming from his presentations in front of the goal. He would go on to finish the season with 61 goals and 113 points. This though was not enough for him to finish first in the Hart Trophy voting, finishing behind the next name on this list.

3. Connor McDavid

One of the top faces of the NHL of this generation is definitely Connor McDavid. The Edmonton Oilers captain has not stepped a foot wrong since his debut in 2015. The reigning Hart Trophy winner and the league’s MVP, there is no surprise that McDavid’s name is so high on this list.

The unstoppable forward has made $16 million this year. While his on-field figure is a little less than the names above ($11 million), he has signed several sponsorships and endorsement deals. A player of his caliber is something most brands want. He has generated around $5 million off-field, proving his status as one of the modern-day greats.

2. Nathan MacKinnon

The highest-paid player for the upcoming season, Nathan MacKinnon is also one of those who has been simply brilliant since his first game. After making his debut at the age of 18 in 2013, MacKinnon has well and truly lived up to his hype with the Colorado Avalanche.

The now 28-year-old has made himself one of the most feared center players in the world. During the year he collected $17.5 million, leveling him with the number one entry. However, most of his income this year has come through his on-field showings ($16.5 million). His off-field assets have seen him make another $1 million.

1. Alex Ovechkin

Topping the list this year is perhaps one of the greatest players, “The Great Eight” Alex Ovechkin. The 38-year-old Washington Capitals captain is currently ranked number two in number of goals, just behind “The Great One’ Wayne Gretzky. Such a record speaks volumes for itself.

Even at this age, the Russian forward shows no sign of slowing down. He has made over $12.5 million this year as he continues to chase down the record of Gretzky. His partnerships with Nike, Hublot, and Fonbet see him make another $5 million, taking his total tally to $17.5 million and becoming the highest earner in the NHL during 2023.

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