As the NHL salary cap continues to rise, young goal-scorers are increasingly among the highest-paid players in hockey.
All of the top 25 earners in the NHL are 28 years old or younger as of opening night 2026, and five of the top eight are 22 or younger.
Colorado’s Cale Makar now holds the title of highest-paid after signing an eight-year, $163.2 million extension with the Avalanche in August 2026. He is presently the only NHL player with an average annual value (AAV) north of $20 million per season, according to Spotrac.
Only one goaltender — New York’s Igor Shesterkin — and three defensemen — Makar, Chicago’s Bowen Byram, and Pittsburgh’s Erik Karlsson — made this list.
Here’s a closer look at hockey’s top 25 most highly compensated players by AAV:
Highest-Paid NHL Players, by Average Annual Value
1. Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche
- AAV:$20.4 million
- Contract details: 8 years, $163.2 million
2. Macklin Celebrini, San Jose Sharks
- AAV:$18.8 million
- Contract details: 5 years, $94 million
3. Leo Carlsson, Anaheim Ducks
- AAV:$18 million
- Contract details: 5 years, $90 million
4. Kirill Kaprizov, Minnesota Wild
- AAV:$17 million
- Contract details: 8 years, $136 million
5. Connor Bedard, Chicago Blackhawks
- AAV:$15 million
- Contract details: 5 years, $75 million
Brad Penner-Imagn Images
6. Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers
- AAV:$14 million
- Contract details: 8 years, $112 million
7. Adam Fantilli, Columbus Blue Jackets
- AAV:$13.7 million
- Contract details: 6 years, $82.5 million
T-8. Cutter Gauthier, Anaheim Ducks
- AAV:$13.5 million
- Contract details: 6 years, $81 million
T-8. Jack Eichel, Vegas Golden Knights
- AAV:$13.5 million
- Contract details: 8 years, $108 million
10. Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs
- AAV:$13.2 million
- Contract details: 4 years, $53 million
11. Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche
- AAV:$12.6 million
- Contract details: 8 years, $100.8 million
T-12. Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers
- AAV:$12.5 million
- Contract details: 2 years, $25 million
Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
T-12. Bowen Byram, Chicago Blackhawks
- AAV:$12.5 million
- Contract details: 6 years, $75 million
T-12. Kirill Marchenko, Toronto Maple Leafs
- AAV:$12.5 million
- Contract details: 6 years, $75 million
T-15. Jason Robertson, Dallas Stars
- AAV:$12 million
- Contract details: 1 year, $12 million
T-15. Mitch Marner, Vegas Golden Knights
- AAV:$12 million
- Contract details: 8 years, $96 million
T-15. Mikko Rantanen, Dallas Stars
- AAV:$12 million
- Contract details: 8 years, $96 million
T-15. Kyle Connor, Winnipeg Jets
- AAV:$12 million
- Contract details: 8 years, $96 million
19. Nico Hischier, New Jersey Devils
- AAV:$11.7 million
- Contract details: 5 years, $58.5 million
20. Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks
- AAV:$11.6 million
- Contract details: 8 years, $92.8 million
T-21. Igor Shesterkin, New York Rangers
- AAV:$11.5 million
- Contract details: 8 years, $92 million
Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
T-21. William Nylander, Toronto Maple Leafs
- AAV:$11.5 million
- Contract details: 8 years, $92 million
T-21. Martin Necas, Colorado Avalanche
- AAV:$11.5 million
- Contract details: 8 years, $92 million
T-21. Erik Karlsson, Pittsburgh Penguins
- AAV:$11.5 million
- Contract details: 8 years, $92 million
25. David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins
- AAV:$11.2 million
- Contract details: 8 years, $90 million
More NHL Essentials
- NHL’s Top 25 Highest-Paid Players Right Now
- Every NHL Team Payroll, Ranked
- Best NHL Draft Steals of All Time
- NHL Stanley Cup Final Matchups and Results Since 1918
