Image via Complex Original
Updated: October 13, 2021
Hockey is back, and with it comes highlight-reel plays, online debates and fantasy drafts. In short: it’s the type of high-octane diversion we all deserve given the global circumstances. As arenas slowly start to refill with hardcore fans, star players continue to rake in the dough. So, who’s the top of the top, money-wise? Here are the 15 highest-paid players, ranked by their 2021-22 salaries (not salary cap figures). All figures are in U.S. dollars and don’t include endorsements.
15. Nicklas Bäckström, Washington Capitals
Estimated earnings: $10 million
Prior to the pandemic, the 34-year-old Swede signed a contract extension with the Caps for an impressive $46 million over five years—which didn’t come as a surprise given the pivotal role the centre played in Washington’s 2018 Cup win against the Las Vegas Golden Knights.
14. Mitch Marner, Toronto Maple Leafs
Estimated earnings: $10.3 million
Right on his teammate Auston Matthews’ heels (in both salary and goal-scoring) is Mitch Marner, 24, who signed a six-year contract extension worth $65.3 million back in September 2019. Although that averages out to roughly $10.9 million per year, his contract was significantly front-loaded last season (the speedy winger cashed in at a cool $15 million). This year, he’s back to his projected average.
13. Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs
Estimated earnings: $10.4 million
Last year, the 24-year-old centre was the highest-paid player in the league, just edging out his teammate Marner. This season, however, he’s dropped down to #13 on the list. Currently in the third season of a five-year contract worth $58.17 million, Matthews is one of a handful of young players carrying the weight of the Leafs’ Cup hopes on his shoulders. And, as last season’s Rocket Richard winner (with 41 goals in only 52 games), many will be watching to see if he finally leads his team to, at least, the second round of the playoffs.
12. Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Vancouver Canucks
Estimated earnings: $10.5 million
After a difficult season last year (one that involved a disastrous COVID outbreak that left the entire team sidelined for a period of time), the Canucks are putting a lot of faith in the 30-year-old Swedish defenceman. Drafted by Arizona back in 2009, OEL, as he’s known to his teammates, is looking to leave his mark on the franchise this year—and he’s got a hefty paycheque to show for it.
11. Roman Josi, Nashville Predators
Estimated earnings: $10.7 million
Drafted 38th overall by the Preds in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, the highly-regarded 31-year-old Swiss D-man and captain will rake in $10.7 million this season from his eight-year, $72.47 million contract extension, which includes a $33.75 million signing bonus.
10. Andrei Vasilveskiy, Tampa Bay Lightning
Estimated earnings: $11 million
Prior to the start of last season, the 27-year-old Russian netminder inked an eight-year contract extension with the Bolts worth $76 million. No doubt Vasilevskiy’s impressive .925 save percentage the previous season (a career best) was a huge factor in the decision. He went on to become the Lightning’s first-ever Vezina Trophy winner in 2020, and helped carry the team to back-to-back Cup victories.
9. Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings
Estimated earnings: $11 million
Unlike last season, the Canadian powerhouse D-man has landed on the highest-paid list, looking to make a cool $11 mil for his efforts this year. From his NHL debut as an 18-year-old to his Norris Trophy win for the 2015-16 season, the 31-year-old more than earns that paycheque.
8. Mark Stone, Las Vegas Knights
Estimated earnings: $12 million
Much like Doughty, the 29-year-old captain and right winger finds himself in the top 15 highest-paid players—unlike last year. This season, the Knights will be looking to their fearless leader to redeem themselves after their shocking semifinals at the hands of the scrappy Habs. If nothing else, Las Vegas has been aggressive in their pursuit of the Cup, and pushed the limits of the salary cap to add Stone during the 2018-19 season.
7. Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning
Estimated earnings: $12,000
The Russian right-winger, 28, is no doubt still coming off a high from winning back-to-back Cups with the Bolts. As an integral cog in the franchise, the Hart Trophy winner led the league in playoff goals for both winning seasons, proving he’s more than worth his hefty paycheque this year. Will the Lightning make a case for a three-peat?
6. Sergei Bobrovsky, Florida Panthers
Estimated earnings: $12 million
As the second-highest-paid goalie in the league this year, Bobrovsky, 33, is expected to turn the Panthers’ playoff woes around ASAP. Considering he signed a seven-year, $70 million contract in the not-so-distant past, it’s clear the franchise has high hopes that his performance will take them on a steady playoff run. After their first-round exit at the hands of the mighty Bolts last season, all eyes will be on Bobrovsky for the team to advance further.
5. Tyler Seguin, Dallas Stars
Estimated earnings: $13,000
The star centre, 29, is looking to repeat the glory he experienced in his rookie season when he snagged a Stanley Cup in 2011. The Dallas franchise and fans are no doubt looking to Seguin this season to help the team improve on their disappointing results last year—which includes a missed playoff run.
3. Artemi Panarin, New York Rangers
Estimated earnings: $13 million
The 30-year-old Russian winger inked a seven-year, $81.5 million deal with the Rangers in 2019, which means he’s set to bring in a haul to the tune of $13 million in 2022. That’s a lot of dough for the “Bread Man.” He certainly made a great impression out of the gate: in his debut season with the team in 2020 he racked up 95 points, while his 1.38 points per game is the fourth-highest in Rangers history.
2. Erik Karlsson, San Jose Sharks
Estimated earnings: $14.5 million
His days as an Ottawa Senator well behind him, 31-year-old D-man Erik Karlsson is now a few seasons into his eight-year $92 million contract with the Sharks, which includes a hefty $53 million signing bonus. The mustachioed superstar has plenty of time to leave his mark on the franchise—he’s not a UFA until 2027.
1. Connor McDavid
Estimated earnings: $15 million
When it comes to cash flow this year, the 24-year-old captain is well ahead of his summer training buddy Auston Matthews (unlike last year). Set to rake in $15 million this season, the Canadian superstar is now four years into an eight-year, $100 million contract extension. After disappointing outcomes in recent seasons, Oilers fans are looking to their star centre to (finally) lead them deep into the playoffs.