Who is the highest paid NHL player right now?

When you ask who is the highest paid NHL player, you’re diving into the fascinating intersection of athletic brilliance, market demand, and complex contract structures. Right now, that title is a thrilling toss-up between two generational talents: Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers and Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs. While McDavid holds the league’s highest average annual value (AAV) on his current deal, Matthews is set to eclipse him in future seasons with his new contract. This article isn’t just about naming names; it’s a deep dive into how these mega-salaries work, providing context on NHL economics, historical contract milestones, and how hockey’s top earners stack up against other major sports. We’ll build authority by dissecting the numbers, celebrating the prestige of these deals, and exploring the cultural significance, especially for Canadian stars.

The current kings of the nhl payroll: McDavid vs. Matthews

At the apex of the NHL’s financial mountain sit two players whose on-ice wizardry commands unparalleled compensation: Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews. For years, McDavid has been synonymous with the phrase, “highest paid NHL player,” thanks to his eight-year, $100 million contract signed in 2017. This groundbreaking deal carries an impressive $12.5 million average annual value (AAV), a figure that, for a long time, stood alone as the league’s top AAV. McDavid’s contract, running through the 2025-26 season, solidified his status not just as the best player in the world, but also as its highest earner.

However, a new king is poised to take the AAV crown. In 2023, Auston Matthews inked a four-year, $53 million extension with the Toronto Maple Leafs, which kicks in for the 2024-25 season. This deal boasts an eye-watering **$13.25 million AAV**, making him the future **highest paid NHL player by AAV**. Matthews’ contract reflects his consistent goal-scoring prowess, his Hart Trophy win, and his immense marketability in one of hockey’s biggest markets. The nuance between McDavid’s existing deal and Matthews’ upcoming one illustrates how the title of **highest paid NHL player** can shift based on current effective salary versus future earnings. Both players represent the absolute pinnacle of talent and market value, driving their respective franchises and the league’s overall appeal. Their contracts aren’t just about money; they’re a testament to their dominance, their clutch performances, and their ability to sell tickets and jerseys.

Breaking down the numbers: What does a $100+ million contract look like?

When we talk about an NHL player’s salary, it’s not as simple as a single number. The key metric often highlighted is the **Average Annual Value (AAV)**, which is the total value of a contract divided by its term in years. This AAV is what counts against the team’s salary cap, dictating how much roster flexibility they have. For players like **Connor McDavid** and **Auston Matthews**, their $12.5 million and $13.25 million AAVs, respectively, represent a significant portion of their team’s cap space, emphasizing their irreplaceable value.

But what does a contract north of $100 million truly entail? It means long-term commitment, often eight years for players signing with their current team, providing both financial security for the athlete and cap certainty for the franchise. These deals are typically front-loaded with signing bonuses, which are paid out regardless of injury or future performance (though salary protection can be involved). While the AAV is the consistent cap hit, the actual cash flow to the player can fluctuate year-to-year. Furthermore, players’ contracts are subject to **escrow**, a percentage of their salaries that is withheld by the league and then returned or kept depending on league revenues versus the players’ share as per the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). This means the gross salary doesn’t always equal the net take-home.

To truly grasp the elite nature of these deals, consider the **average NHL salary**, which typically hovers around **$3.5 to $4 million per year**. This stark contrast highlights how few players truly reach the upper echelon of hockey earnings. Only a handful of athletes command an AAV of **$10 million or more**. Beyond McDavid and Matthews, players like Nathan MacKinnon ($12.6 million AAV), David Pastrnak ($11.25 million AAV), and Erik Karlsson ($11.5 million AAV) also represent this exclusive club. These players aren’t just good; they’re consistently dominant, franchise-altering talents whose value extends far beyond the stat sheet to include leadership, marketability, and a proven ability to perform under pressure. Their contracts are a reflection of their unique skill sets and their pivotal roles within the league.

From bobby orr to connor mcdavid: A history of nhl mega-deals

The journey to the modern-day **highest paid NHL player** is a fascinating chronicle of the league’s growth, shifting economics, and the increasing value placed on superstar talent. In the early days of professional hockey, salaries were modest, and players had little leverage. It wasn’t until the 1970s that players began to truly command significant compensation, largely thanks to the pioneering efforts of agents like Alan Eagleson and the rise of player power.

One of the first players to truly redefine player value was **Bobby Orr**. In 1971, Orr signed a five-year, $1 million deal with the Boston Bruins, making him an early claimant to the title of **highest paid NHL player** for his era. This was an unprecedented sum, breaking barriers and setting a new standard for star athletes. As the league expanded and grew in popularity, so too did salaries. The 1980s saw the emergence of legends like Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux, whose on-ice brilliance, while earning them considerable sums, often came before the true explosion of free agency and uncapped bidding wars.

The introduction of the salary cap in 2005, following a lockout, fundamentally changed the landscape of NHL contracts. While it aimed to create parity, it also forced teams to be more strategic with their spending, often leading to longer, high-AAV deals for foundational players. Post-lockout, players like Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin signed their own mega-deals, pushing the boundaries of AAV within the new cap structure. Crosby’s 12-year, $104.4 million contract (signed in 2012) and Ovechkin’s 13-year, $124 million deal (signed in 2008) were testaments to their long-term value. These contracts paved the way for the current generation, culminating in deals like **Connor McDavid’s** $100 million pact, which became a benchmark for what a true generational talent could earn in the modern, cap-controlled NHL. Each era saw a new standard set, reflecting the growing revenues, the increasing professionalism of the sport, and the undeniable draw of its biggest stars.

Why canadian stars continue to dominate the top of the money list

It’s no secret that Canada is the birthplace of hockey, and the passion for the sport runs deep in the nation’s cultural fabric. This profound connection translates directly into market value, which often plays a significant role in determining **who is the highest paid NHL player**. While players from various nationalities dot the league’s top earners list, the magnetic pull of Canadian cities and the legacy of Canadian hockey legends often see Canadian-born stars, or those playing for Canadian teams, commanding top-tier salaries.

Consider the prestige of playing for an Original Six franchise like the Toronto Maple Leafs, one of the wealthiest and most rabid fan bases in the sport. Even though **Auston Matthews** is American-born, his mega-deal with the Leafs is partly a reflection of the immense market and revenue-generating potential tied to playing in Toronto. Similarly, **Connor McDavid**, a Canadian national, plays for the Edmonton Oilers, another storied Canadian franchise with a dedicated following. These markets provide enormous exposure, endorsement opportunities, and a fervent support system that translates into higher perceived value for the organization. The pressure to win in these markets also pushes teams to invest heavily in their core talent.

There’s also a practical financial advantage worth noting: Canadian players, like all NHL players, are paid in **U.S. dollars**. For Canadian-born players, a USD salary, especially a multi-million dollar one, holds even greater purchasing power when converted back to Canadian dollars, further amplifying the value of their contracts. This adds another layer of financial appeal for Canadian stars to stay within the NHL, regardless of where they play geographically. The legacy of hockey in Canada, the immense fan engagement, and the significant financial power of Canadian-based franchises continue to make them prime destinations for players seeking both on-ice glory and top-tier compensation, often securing their place among the **highest paid NHL players**.

How nhl salaries stack up against the nba, nfl, and mlb

For sports fans curious about athlete wealth, it’s natural to compare the **highest paid NHL player** to the top earners in other major North American leagues like the NBA, NFL, and MLB. While NHL salaries have grown substantially, they generally lag behind their counterparts in terms of individual player compensation, especially at the very top of the scale. This isn’t a knock on hockey’s financial health, but rather a reflection of differing economic models, global reach, and revenue streams across the sports.

In the **NBA**, for instance, superstar players regularly sign contracts worth upwards of $40 million to $50 million per year. The league’s smaller rosters (15 players vs. 23 for NHL games), global popularity, and massive media rights deals contribute to a higher share of revenue per player. Similarly, in **Major League Baseball (MLB)**, which operates without a salary cap, the top players can command truly astronomical figures, with some contracts exceeding $300 million or even $700 million in total value, leading to AAVs well over $30 million, like Shohei Ohtani’s historic deal.

Even the **NFL**, despite its larger rosters and often non-guaranteed contracts, sees its elite quarterbacks and pass rushers earn north of $40 million to $50 million per year. The NFL’s unparalleled domestic television ratings and massive sponsorship deals generate immense revenue that trickles down to its top talent.

So, why is the **highest paid NHL player** (currently around $12.5-$13.25 million AAV) earning less than the top stars in other leagues? A primary reason is revenue. While the NHL is a thriving league, its overall revenue, particularly from national media rights deals, is smaller compared to the NBA, NFL, and MLB. Hockey also has a smaller global footprint in terms of mainstream popularity outside of North America and parts of Europe. Additionally, the NHL’s hard salary cap, designed for competitive balance, inherently limits how much teams can spend on individual players, even the most valuable ones. This ensures a more even distribution of talent but also caps the individual earnings potential at the very top. Nonetheless, earning over $10 million AAV in the NHL still places a player in an incredibly exclusive and wealthy echelon of professional athletes.

The enduring legacy of hockey’s top earners

The quest for the title of **highest paid NHL player** is about more than just a number; it’s about the enduring legacy of excellence, market impact, and the business acumen required to succeed at the pinnacle of professional hockey. From the trail-blazing contracts of legends like Bobby Orr to the unprecedented deals secured by modern marvels like **Connor McDavid** and **Auston Matthews**, these athletes embody the growth and financial evolution of the sport. Their salaries aren’t merely compensation; they are powerful indicators of their immense talent, their ability to captivate audiences, and their invaluable contribution to their teams and the league as a whole. As the NHL continues to expand its reach and revenues, we can anticipate these figures to climb, ensuring that the next generation of superstars will push the boundaries of what it means to be the **highest paid NHL player**, forever linking on-ice brilliance with off-ice financial success.