Toronto Maple Leafs player Auston Matthews recently signed a four-year, $53 million contract extension. This new deal makes him the highest paid player in the NHL, with an average annual value of $13.25 million. Prior to this extension, Matthews was the seventh highest paid player in the league. Without this contract, he would have become a free agent after the 2023-24 season.
With Matthews’ new contract, the list of the NHL’s highest paid players has changed. Let’s take a closer look at the top 10 highest paid players in the league.
1. Auston Matthews: $13.25 million
Matthews has now become the highest paid player in the league on an annual basis. He is considered worth the money, having won the Hart Trophy as league MVP in the 2021-22 season and following it up with an impressive 85-point season in 2022-23. Matthews aims to help the Maple Leafs build on their success from last season, where they won their first playoff series since 2003-04.
2. Nathan MacKinnon: $12.6 million
Before Matthews’ extension, Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche held the title of the highest paid player in the league. He signed an eight-year, $100.8 million contract before the 2022-23 season, with an average annual value of $12.6 million. MacKinnon played a key role in leading the Avalanche to their first Stanley Cup since 2000-01, and he remains a central figure for the franchise.
3. Connor McDavid: $12.5 million
Despite being one of the sport’s biggest stars, Connor McDavid is the third highest paid player. In 2017, he signed an eight-year, $100 million contract extension with the Edmonton Oilers, with an average annual value of $12.5 million. McDavid had a phenomenal season in 2022-23, achieving a career-high 153 points.
4. Artemi Panarin: $11.6 million
Artemi Panarin, a star winger, secured one of the NHL’s most lucrative contracts in the 2019 offseason. He signed a seven-year, $81.5 million deal with the New York Rangers after playing for the Columbus Blue Jackets and Chicago Blackhawks. Panarin has proven his worth with the Rangers, consistently recording 90-point seasons in three out of four years in New York.
5. Erik Karlsson: $11.5 million
Erik Karlsson, a defenseman, holds the title of the highest paid defenseman on the list. He signed an eight-year, $92 million contract extension with the San Jose Sharks in 2019, with an average annual value of $11.5 million. At the time, Karlsson was the third highest paid player in the NHL before being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins this summer in a three-team trade.
6. David Pastrnak: $11.25 million
David Pastrnak, a star player for the Boston Bruins, recently completed the most productive season of his NHL career. He was rewarded with an eight-year, $90 million contract extension ($11.25 million AAV) in March. Pastrnak played an outstanding campaign, recording 113 points and helping the Bruins win the Presidents’ Trophy with a record-breaking regular season.
7. John Tavares: $11 million
During the 2018 offseason, the Maple Leafs made a significant move by acquiring former New York Islanders star John Tavares. He signed a seven-year, $77 million contract ($11 million AAV). Tavares had the opportunity to sign with the San Jose Sharks for a higher offer, but chose to realize his childhood dream of playing for the Maple Leafs. He is coming off an 80-point season with Toronto in 2022-23.
8. Drew Doughty: $11 million
Drew Doughty, a defenseman for the Los Angeles Kings, is one of two defensemen on the list. In July 2018, he signed an eight-year, $88 million contract extension that runs through the 2026-27 season. Doughty had his highest point total since 2017-18, contributing 52 points last season. He looks to lead the Kings back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the upcoming season.
9. Mitch Marner: $10.9 million
Mitch Marner, another Maple Leafs player, signed a six-year, $65.358 million contract in 2019. This deal carries an annual cap hit of $10.9 million. Marner has emerged as one of the team’s top assets and had a career-best season, recording 99 points in 2022-23.
10. Carey Price: $10.5 million
Carey Price, the goaltender for the Montreal Canadiens, completes the top 10 highest paid players in the NHL. Although he has only appeared in five games since the start of the 2021-22 season, Price signed an eight-year, $84 million extension with Montreal in 2017. At the time, he became the highest paid goalie in the league.
