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Here are several lists of National Hockey League players' salaries since the 1989–90 NHL season. This list does not include income from corporate endorsements or salaries before 1988–89.
This is a list of the twenty NHL players who have earned the most in salaries between the 1989–90 season and the 2023–24 season.
These figures have been gleaned from certain financial sites dedicated to professional sports, and so may not be perfectly accurate. This is merely an estimation that, for the most part, does not take into account bonuses and sponsor contracts.
These totals also do not take into account partial seasons played—for which a player would only receive a partial salary—except for the shortened 2004–05 season, which affected every player. Thus, the listed totals are a sum of the amounts each player was contracted to receive for a full season.
| Rank | Player name | Salary (USD) | Years active† |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sidney Crosby | $141,340,243 | 19 (2005–present) |
| 2 | Alexander Ovechkin | $138,220,892 | 19 (2005–present) |
| 3 | Shea Weber | $129,030,338 | 16 (2005–21) |
| 4 | Jaromir Jagr | $128,139,753 | 24 (1990–08; 2011–18) |
| 5 | Evgeni Malkin | $126,720,892 | 18 (2006–present) |
| 6 | Anze Kopitar | $120,454,878 | 18 (2006–present) |
| 7 | Vincent Lecavalier | $116,266,608 | 17 (1998–2016) |
| 8 | Patrick Kane | $115,637,195 | 17 (2007–present) |
| 9 | Jonathan Toews | $115,562,195 | 13 (2007–23) |
| 10 | Chris Pronger | $111,379,268 | 18 (1993–2012) |
| 11 | Ryan Suter | $111,193,397 | 19 (2005–present) |
| 12 | Joe Thornton | $110,637,195 | 24 (1997–present) |
| 13 | Zach Parise | $110,243,397 | 19 (2005–24) |
| 14 | Carey Price | $105,944,368 | 15 (2007–22) |
| 15 | Brad Richards | $105,567,467 | 15 (2000–16) |
| 16 | Henrik Lundqvist | $102,783,390 | 15 (2005–20) |
| 17 | Drew Doughty | $99,929,878 | 16 (2008–present) |
| 18 | Steven Stamkos | $99,551,829 | 16 (2008–present) |
| 19 | Zdeno Chara | $99,538,695 | 24 (1997–2022) |
| 20 | Erik Karlsson | $99,346,046 | 15 (2009–present) |
- † "Years active" excludes the 2004–05 NHL season, as the league was not operating that year. It also includes seasons prior to the 1989–90 NHL season, although the salaries paid during this time may not be included in the total due to scarcity of information.
1989–90 season
- Mario Lemieux (Pittsburgh Penguins) US$2 million (equivalent to $4.7 million in 2023)
- Wayne Gretzky (Los Angeles Kings) $1.72 million ($4 million in 2023)
- Mark Messier (Edmonton Oilers) $0.86 million ($2 million in 2023)
- Steve Yzerman (Detroit Red Wings) $0.7 million ($1.6 million in 2023)
- Bryan Trottier (New York Islanders) $0.575 million ($1.3 million in 2023)
1990–91 season
- Wayne Gretzky (Los Angeles Kings) $3 million
- Mario Lemieux (Pittsburgh Penguins) $2.18 million
- Steve Yzerman (Detroit Red Wings) $1.3 million
- Ray Bourque (Boston Bruins) $1.194 million
- Brett Hull (St. Louis Blues) $1.116 million
1991–92 season
- Wayne Gretzky (Los Angeles Kings) US$3 million (equivalent to $6.7 million in 2023)
- Mario Lemieux (Pittsburgh Penguins) $2.34 million ($5.2 million in 2023)
- Brett Hull (St. Louis Blues) $1.5 million ($3.4 million in 2023)
- (tie) Pat LaFontaine (Buffalo Sabres) $1.4 million ($3.1 million in 2023)
(tie) Steve Yzerman (Detroit Red Wings) $1.4 million ($3.1 million in 2023)
1992–93 season
- Eric Lindros (Philadelphia Flyers) US$3.5 million (equivalent to $7.4 million in 2023)
- Wayne Gretzky (Los Angeles Kings) $3 million ($6.3 million in 2023)
- Mario Lemieux (Pittsburgh Penguins) $2.408 million ($5.1 million in 2023)
- Mark Messier (New York Rangers) $2.385 million ($5 million in 2023)
- Pat LaFontaine (Buffalo Sabres) $1.775 million ($3.7 million in 2023)
1993–94 season
- Eric Lindros (Philadelphia Flyers) US$3.35 million (equivalent to $6.9 million in 2023)
- Steve Yzerman (Detroit Red Wings) $3.2 million ($6.6 million in 2023)
- (tie) Mario Lemieux (Pittsburgh Penguins) $3 million ($6.2 million in 2023)
(tie) Wayne Gretzky (Los Angeles Kings) $3 million ($6.2 million in 2023) - Patrick Roy (Montreal Canadiens) $2.659 million ($5.5 million in 2023)
1994–95 season
After the 1994–95 NHL season was shortened to 48 games due to a lockout, players earned only about 56% of their predicted salary.
- Wayne Gretzky (Los Angeles Kings) $3.66 million (Predicted salary of $6.54 million)
- Mark Messier (New York Rangers) $3.45 million (Predicted salary of $6.29 million)
- Scott Stevens (New Jersey Devils) $3.24 million (Predicted salary of $5.8 million)
- Pavel Bure (Vancouver Canucks) $2.61 million (Predicted salary of $4.5 million)
- Mario Lemieux (Pittsburgh Penguins) $2.361,429 million (Predicted salary of $4.071429 million)
1995–96 season
- Wayne Gretzky (Los Angeles Kings/St. Louis Blues) $6.54 million
- Mark Messier (New York Rangers) $6.29 million
- Keith Tkachuk (Winnipeg Jets) $6 million
- Mario Lemieux (Pittsburgh Penguins) $4.5714 million
- Pavel Bure (Vancouver Canucks) $4.5 million
1996–97 season
- Mario Lemieux (Pittsburgh Penguins) $11.35 million
- Mark Messier (New York Rangers) $6 million
- Pavel Bure (Vancouver Canucks) $5 million
- Pat LaFontaine (Buffalo Sabres) $4.6 million
- Patrick Roy (Colorado Avalanche) $4.567 million
1997–98 season
- Joe Sakic (Colorado Avalanche) $16.45 million[1]
- Chris Gratton (Philadelphia Flyers) $10.15 million[1]
- Wayne Gretzky (New York Rangers) $6.25 million
- Mark Messier (New York Rangers) $6 million
- Pavel Bure (Vancouver Canucks) $5.5 million
1998–99 season
- Sergei Fedorov (Detroit Red Wings) $14.5 million [1]
- Paul Kariya (Anaheim Ducks) $8.25 million
- Eric Lindros (Philadelphia Flyers) $8 million
- Dominik Hasek (Buffalo Sabres) $8 million
- Mats Sundin (Toronto Maple Leafs) $6.347 million
1999–00 season
- Jaromir Jagr (Pittsburgh Penguins) $11.7 million
- Paul Kariya (Anaheim Ducks) $11 million
- Peter Forsberg (Colorado Avalanche) $9 million
- Theoren Fleury (New York Rangers) $8.5 million
- Eric Lindros (Philadelphia Flyers) $8.5 million
2000–01 season
- Peter Forsberg (Colorado Avalanche) $10 million
- Paul Kariya (Anaheim Ducks) $10 million
- Jaromir Jagr (Pittsburgh Penguins) $9.842708 million
- Pavel Bure (Florida Panthers) $9 million
- Keith Tkachuk (St. Louis Blues) $7.3 million
2001–02 season
- Jaromir Jagr (Washington Capitals) $11 million
- Pavel Bure (Florida Panthers/New York Rangers) $10 million
- Paul Kariya (Anaheim Ducks) $10 million
- Joe Sakic (Colorado Avalanche) $9.832727 million
- Chris Pronger (St. Louis Blues) $9.5 million
- Teemu Selanne (San Jose Sharks) $9.5 million
2002–03 season
- Jaromir Jagr (Washington Capitals) $11.48 million
- Keith Tkachuk (St. Louis Blues) $11 million
- Nicklas Lidstrom (Detroit Red Wings) $10.5 million
- Pavel Bure (New York Rangers) $10 million
- Paul Kariya (Mighty Ducks of Anaheim) $10 million
2003–04 season
- Peter Forsberg (Colorado Avalanche) $11 million
- Jaromir Jagr (Washington Capitals) $11 million
- Sergei Fedorov (Mighty Ducks of Anaheim) $10 million
- Nicklas Lidstrom (Detroit Red Wings) $10 million
- Keith Tkachuk (St. Louis Blues) $10 million
2004–05 season
Season cancelled (see 2004–05 NHL lockout).
2005–06 season
The team salary cap was $39 million. Under the latest NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement, no player could earn more than 20 percent of the team salary cap ($7.8 million).
- Jaromir Jagr (New York Rangers) $8.36 million[2]
- Nicklas Lidstrom (Detroit Red Wings) $7.6 million
- Keith Tkachuk (St. Louis Blues) $7.6 million
- Alexei Yashin (New York Islanders) $7.6 million
- Jarome Iginla (Calgary Flames) $7 million
2006–07 season
The team salary cap was $44 million. No player could earn more than $8.8 million.
- Jaromir Jagr (New York Rangers) $8.36 million
- Brad Richards (Tampa Bay Lightning) $7.8 million
- Nicklas Lidstrom (Detroit Red Wings) $7.6 million
- Mats Sundin (Toronto Maple Leafs) $7.6 million
- Alexei Yashin (New York Islanders) $7.6 million
2007–08 season
The team salary cap was $50.3 million. No player could earn more than $10.06 million.
- Daniel Briere (Philadelphia Flyers) $10 million
- Scott Gomez (New York Rangers) $10 million
- Thomas Vanek (Buffalo Sabres) $10 million
- Jaromir Jagr (New York Rangers) $8.36 million
- Kimmo Timonen (Philadelphia Flyers) $8 million
2008–09 season
The team salary cap was $56.7 million. No player could earn more than $11.34 million.
- Dany Heatley (Ottawa Senators) $10 million
- Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins) $9 million
- Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) $9 million
- Mats Sundin (Vancouver Canucks) $8.6 million
- Miikka Kiprusoff (Calgary Flames) $8.5 million
2009–10 season
The team salary cap was $56.8 million. No player could earn more than $11.36 million.
- Vincent Lecavalier (Tampa Bay Lightning) $10 million
- Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins) $9 million
- Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh Penguins) $9 million
- Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) $9 million
- Chris Drury (New York Rangers) $8.05 million
2010–11 season
The team salary cap was $59.4 million. No player could earn more than $11.88 million.
- Vincent Lecavalier (Tampa Bay Lightning) $10 million
- Roberto Luongo (Vancouver Canucks) $10 million
- Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins) $9 million
- Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh Penguins) $9 million
- Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) $9 million
2011–12 season
The team salary cap was $64.3 million. No player could earn more than $12.86 million.
- Brad Richards (New York Rangers) $12 million
- Ilya Bryzgalov (Philadelphia Flyers) $10 million
- Christian Ehrhoff (Buffalo Sabres) $10 million
- Vincent Lecavalier (Tampa Bay Lightning) $10 million
- Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins) $9 million
2012–13 season
The team salary cap was $70.2 million. No player could earn more than $14.04 million.
- Shea Weber (Nashville Predators) $14 million
- Tyler Myers (Buffalo Sabres) $12 million
- Zach Parise (Minnesota Wild) $12 million
- Brad Richards (New York Rangers) $12 million
- Ryan Suter (Minnesota Wild) $12 million
2013–14 season
The team salary cap was $64.3 million. No player could earn more than $12.86 million.
- Shea Weber (Nashville Predators) $14 million
- Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins) $12 million
- Zach Parise (Minnesota Wild) $12 million
- Ryan Suter (Minnesota Wild) $12 million
- Eric Staal (Carolina Hurricanes) $9.25 million
2014–15 season
The team salary cap was $69 million. No player could earn more than $13.8 million.
- Shea Weber (Nashville Predators) $14 million
- Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins) $12 million
- Henrik Lundqvist (New York Rangers) $11 million
- Zach Parise (Minnesota Wild) $11 million
- Ryan Suter (Minnesota Wild) $11 million
2015–16 season
The team salary cap was $71.4 million. No player could earn more than $14.28 million.
- Shea Weber (Nashville Predators) $14 million
- Patrick Kane (Chicago Blackhawks) $13.8 million
- Jonathan Toews (Chicago Blackhawks) $13.8 million
- Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins) $12 million
- Phil Kessel (Pittsburgh Penguins) $10 million
2016–17 season
The team salary cap was $73 million. No player could earn more than $14.6 million.
- Anze Kopitar (Los Angeles Kings) $14 million
- Patrick Kane (Chicago Blackhawks) $13.8 million
- Jonathan Toews (Chicago Blackhawks) $13.8 million
- Shea Weber (Montreal Canadiens) $12 million
- Ryan O'Reilly (Buffalo Sabres) $11 million
2017–18 season
The team salary cap was $75 million. No player could earn more than $15 million.
- Patrick Kane (Chicago Blackhawks) $13.8 million
- Jonathan Toews (Chicago Blackhawks) $13.8 million
- Jamie Benn (Dallas Stars) $13 million
- Anze Kopitar (Los Angeles Kings) $13 million
- Shea Weber (Montreal Canadiens) $12 million
2018–19 season
The team salary cap was $79.5 million. No player could earn more than $15.9 million.
- John Tavares (Toronto Maple Leafs) $15.9 million
- Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers) $15 million
- Carey Price (Montreal Canadiens) $15 million
- Jamie Benn (Dallas Stars) $13 million
- John Carlson (Washington Capitals) $12 million
2019–20 season
The team salary cap was $81.5 million. No player could earn more than $16.3 million.
- Mitch Marner (Toronto Maple Leafs) $16 million
- Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs) $15.9 million
- John Tavares (Toronto Maple Leafs) $15.9 million
- Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers) $15 million
- Carey Price (Montreal Canadiens) $15 million
2020–21 season
The team salary cap was $81.5 million. No player could earn more than $16.3 million.
- Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs $15.9 million
- Mitch Marner (Toronto Maple Leafs) $15 million
- Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers) $14 million
- Artemi Panarin (New York Rangers) $13 million
- Sergei Bobrovsky (Florida Panthers) $12 million
2021–22 season
The team salary cap was $81.5 million. No player could earn more than $16.3 million.
- Erik Karlsson (San Jose Sharks) $14.5 million
- Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers) $13 million
- Artemi Panarin (New York Rangers) $13 million
- Carey Price (Montreal Canadiens) $13 million
- Tyler Seguin (Dallas Stars) $13 million
2022–23 season
The team salary cap was $82.5 million. No player could earn more than $16.5 million.
- Tyler Seguin (Dallas Stars) $13 million
- Artemi Panarin (New York Rangers) $12.5 million
- Aleksander Barkov (Florida Panthers) $12 million
- Sergei Bobrovsky (Florida Panthers) $12 million
- Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers) $12 million
2023–24 season
The team salary cap was $83.5 million. No player could earn more than $16.7 million.
- Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche) $16.5 million
- David Pastrnak (Boston Bruins) $13 million
- Dougie Hamilton (New Jersey Devils) $12.6 million
- Seth Jones (Chicago Blackhawks) $12.5 million
- Kirill Kaprizov (Minnesota Wild) $12.5 million
2024–25 season
The team salary cap is $88 million. No player can earn more than $17.6 million.
- Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs) $16.7 million
- Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche) $16.5 million
- Elias Pettersson (Vancouver Canucks) $14.5 million
- William Nylander (Toronto Maple Leafs) $13.5 million
- Jake Guentzel (Tampa Bay Lightning) $13.26 million
Salary figures prior to the 1989–90 season are not readily available. The following table presents a sample of salaries from various seasons; the players listed were not necessarily the highest paid that year.
| Season | Player name | Salary[3] |
|---|---|---|
| 1917–18 | Newsy Lalonde | CAN $1,300 |
| 1921–22 | Newsy Lalonde | CAN $2,000 |
| 1923–24 | Howie Morenz | CAN $3,500 |
| 1925–26 | Frank Fredrickson | CAN $3,500 |
| 1942–43 | Ronnie Rowe† | CAN $3,000 |
| 1953–54 | Jean Beliveau | CAN $21,000 |
| 1954–55 | Jean Beliveau | CAN $21,000 |
| 1955–56 | Jean Beliveau | CAN $21,000 |
| 1956–57 | Jean Beliveau | CAN $21,000 |
| 1957–58 | Jean Beliveau | CAN $21,000 |
| 1959–60 | Doug Harvey | CAN $25,000 |
| 1959–60 | Maurice Richard | CAN $25,000 |
| 1962–63 | Frank Mahovlich | CAN $25,000 |
| 1963–64 | (NHL minimum salary) | CAN $7,000 |
| 1963–64 | Phil Esposito | US $54,990 |
| 1965–66 | Gump Worsley | CAN $28,000 |
| 1966–67 | Bobby Orr | US $35,000 |
| 1967–68 | Bobby Orr | US $35,000 |
| 1967–68 | Derek Sanderson | US $10,000 |
| 1969–70 | Derek Sanderson | US $13,000 |
| 1974–75 | Mario Tremblay | CAN $80,000 |
| 1977–78 | Bobby Hull†† | US $1,000,000 |
| 1977–78 | Bernie Parent | US $1,000,000 |
| 1977–78 | Derek Sanderson | US $1,000,000 |
| 1982–83 | Brian Hayward | US $65,000 |
- † Ronnie Rowe was offered a rookie contract of $2,900 plus $100 as a signing bonus. The contract was declined, and Rowe stayed in juniors to play with the OHA's Toronto Marlboros[4]
- †† Bobby Hull was playing the World Hockey Association at this time, a short-lived rival to the NHL.
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