Top 10 highest-paid NHL players of all time

With the 2023-24 season beginning in October, it’s time to take a look at some of the wealthiest NHL players till now. In the article, we’ll cover players who have been topping the salary chart for years since their debut to retirement or current active status.

Some of the recent names that have been popping in the charts this season are Nathan Mackinnon and Auston Matthews. Following the latter’s recent contract, fans have been buzzing to get further details of his contract and how it’ll affect the team’s overall salary cap.

But are these two players’ names etched on the all-time highest-paid players list? Noting from retired NHLer Jaromir Jagr to NHL phenom Sidney Crosby, discover the player’s contract details and the immense impact that they have made on the game of ice hockey.

Related: Does Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby have a chance for one last 100-point season?

From retired to active: Top 10 NHLers of All-Time

Carey Price ($116,050,000)

Montreal Canadiens legendary goalie Carey Price penned down an immense 8-year contract of $84 million including a signing bonus of $70 million at an annual average salary of $10,500,000. Following his 2007 NHL Draft, the 36-year-old has shaken the world of hockey with his extraordinary goaltending skills. 

Although the player has taken a break from his skates, he has, as of now, did not disclose any intention to retire from ice. Fans are excited for his possible return next season. His no.31 will surely be etched forever in Habs’ history as he became the winningest goalie of the franchise. As of the 2023-24 season, he is expected to pocket a base salary of $2 million with a signing bonus of $6.5 million.

Steven Stamkos ($116,675,000)

Tampa Bay Lightning center and captain Steven Stamkos boasts a net worth of $14 million as of 2023. Stamkos, nicknamed ‘Stammer’ has enticed the whole Rays franchise with terrific leadership earning the team its back-to-back Stanley Cup victories in 2020 and 2021.

On July 19, 2016, he signed an 8-year $68 million contract with the team with an AAV of $8,500,000. In the current season, he is expected to earn a salary base of $1 million with a signing bonus of $5,500,000 million, carrying a cap hit of $8,500,000. 

Ryan Suter ($117,625,999)

The 2010 U.S. national team representative Ryan Suter commands 8th place in the list of Top 10 NHLers. With an attractive salary cap of $117,625,999 million, the 38-year-old defenceman has been part of three NHL teams so far – Nashville Predators (2005-2012), Minnesota Wild (2012-2021), and Dallas Star (2021-present).

In the 2023-24 season, he has secured a base salary of $4,300,000 million with a cap hit of $3,650,000 million. During 2021 free agency, he signed a 4-year contract with the Stars at $14,600,000 million. Playing 19 seasons in the NHL, the defenceman has successfully earned a hefty $91,155,199 million with a signing bonus of $26 million.

Vincent Lecavalier ($128,097,623)

Vincent Lecavalier or ‘Vinny’ is a former professional NHL player who retired from the ice after the 2015-16 season as part of the Los Angeles Kings. During his 17 NHL years, he participated in 1,212 games securing 949 points with 421 goals and 528 assists. Apart from Kings, he was also a part of the Rimouski Oceanic, Rays, and Philadelphia Flyers.

Prior to getting traded to the Kings, he signed a 5 year $22.5 million contract with the Flyers. In 2008, he played for the Rays after penning down an 11-year $85 million contract with an AAV of $7,727,273 million.

Anze Kopitar ($129,250,000)

Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar became the 1st Slovenian to play in the NHL, marking his debut in 2006. He led the team to win two Stanley Cups, changing the franchise’s history with his extraordinary leadership and skills on the ice. 

Kopitar, who boasts a net worth of $18 million in 2023, inked an 8-year $80 million contract with the Kings. His contract included a signing bonus of $18 million with an annual average salary of $10 million. In the 2023-24 season, he is expected to get a base salary of $7 million while carrying a cap hit of $10 million.

Shea Weber ($130,831,000)

Shea Weber is one of the highest-paid National Hockey League players who secured the 5th spot on the list. The 38-year-old defenceman is currently under a contract with the Arizona Coyotes after playing 16 seasons with the Montreal Canadiens and Nashville Predators. The defenceman is known for his hardest shots in NHL history.

Following his massive 14-year $110 million signing, Weber currently holds a net worth of $24 million according to Celebrity Net Worth. His contract promised him an AAV of $7,857,143 million including a $68 million signing bonus. In the 2023-24 season, he will get a base salary of $1 million according to Spotrac.

Jaromir Jagr ($135,328,322)

Even after retiring from the NHL, Jaromir Jagr commands a net worth of $50 million as of 2023. The right winger is currently the owner of Rytiri Kladno of Czech Extraliga. Throughout his NHL career, he has played with several teams earning a total cash of $135,382,322 million in 25 seasons.

Evgeni Malkin ($141,270,893)

Evgeni Malkin or ‘Geno’ is one of the most popular NHL players and also a part of the famous Pittsburgh Penguins trio. He, along with captain Sidney Crosby, and teammate Kris Letang has continued their dominance on ice defying their age whatsoever. In the 2023-24 season, fans are excited to see what miracles and changes the team will bring to reach Stanley Cup contention following last year’s exclusion.

Malkin is penned to the Penguins following his 4 year $24.4 million contract, including a $5 million signing bonus. In the current season, he will earn a base salary of $6 million with a cap hit of $6,100,000 million. Although he was fined by the league several times, he still commands career earnings of $118,130,293 million with additional signing and incentive bonuses.

Alex Ovechkin ($150,720,893)

There’s rarely someone who has not heard of the name Alex Ovechkin in the NHL. He is currently considered the closest player to surpass ice hockey legend Wayne Gretzky’s record. This season will be a crucial turnover for ‘The Great Eight’ as he is expected to possibly cross the record this season.

Following his draft by the Washington Capitals, he has been part of the team following his 3-year contract in 2005. His latest contract earned him $47,500,000 million for 5 years including a signing bonus of $34,500,000 million. In 2023, his cap hit is expected to be $9.5 million with a net worth of $85 million reportedly. 

Sidney Crosby ($152,890,244)

Pittsburgh Penguins phenom Sidney Crosby successfully secures the top spot in the NHL highest-paid players list. Since his debut till now, he is often called a legend and has been nicknamed ‘The Next One’ noting ‘The Great One’s legacy on ice. According to CAknowledge, he has a net worth of $80 million as of 2023.

In 2012 he penned down a massive 12-year contract worth $104,400,000 million with the Penguins with an annual average value of $8,700,000 million. This season he is expected to enjoy a cap hit of $8.7 million. In 19 seasons played with the Penguins, he has earned $144,085,244 million with a signing bonus of $255,000 and an incentive of $8,500,000 million.

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