Who is the highest paid player in the NHL?

Written by Editorial Team | Last Updated: August 2026

Swedish center Leo Carlsson of the Anaheim Ducks stands as the highest-paid player in the National Hockey League, commanding an unprecedented annual average salary of $18 million following a blockbuster contract extension. Close behind him on the lucrative financial scale are elite superstars like Kirill Kaprizov of the Minnesota Wild, Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks, and Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers, all of whom pull in massive annual figures ranging between $14 million and $17 million. These staggering numbers reflect soaring salary caps, increasing television revenues, and the fierce willingness of modern franchise owners to invest heavily in generational talents who drive success.

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