Who is the Richest NHL Player? Top 10 Highest-Paid NHL Players Ranked – 2025

The NHL has always been home to some of the most talented and wealthiest athletes in sports. From blockbuster contracts to endorsement partnerships, today’s stars are not only dominating on the ice but also building impressive financial legacies. By 2025, the richest NHL players include a mix of current icons and all-time legends, showing that hockey wealth comes from more than just skating ability; it’s about branding, longevity, and smart investments. In this ranking, we break down the top 10 names, looking at net worth, career salaries, and off-ice ventures. Whether you’re curious about the richest ice hockey player right now or the richest NHL player of all time, this list has the full breakdown.

How We Ranked the Richest Players in the NHL

When compiling a list of the richest NHL players, we looked beyond just annual salaries. Becoming the richest ice hockey player or even being considered among the highest-paid NHL players requires consistency, smart financial moves, and the ability to build wealth both on and off the ice. These are the core factors we used in our ranking:

• Career Earnings – The backbone of any ranking is a player’s total income from contracts, salaries, and signing bonuses. Some of the richest NHL players of all time built massive wealth simply through record-breaking contracts.
• Endorsement Deals – Hockey’s biggest stars attract global sponsorships from sports brands, equipment companies, and lifestyle endorsements, adding millions to their net worth.
• Investments & Business Ventures – Many elite players secure long-term wealth by investing in businesses, real estate, or even buying ownership stakes in other sports teams. This separates the highest-paid NHL player from the truly wealthy.
• Legacy & Longevity – To be remembered as one of the richest NHL players of all time, career length and legacy matter. Superstars with long careers, multiple championships, or Hall of Fame recognition often have higher net worth due to continued relevance, endorsements, and post-retirement opportunities.

List of the Richest NHL Players in 2025

When it comes to professional hockey, salaries and endorsements have grown to levels never seen before. The richest NHL players today are not just athletes, they are global icons who have turned their on-ice talent into long-term financial success. Each player on this ranking represents a different path to wealth, whether it’s through being the highest-paid NHL player by annual salary or through smart financial decisions that make them among the richest ice hockey players in history.

This list ranks the top 10 names in 2025, based on reported net worth, contracts, and overall earnings power. From young superstars securing record-breaking deals to established veterans who have built legacies as some of the richest NHL players of all time, this breakdown highlights who leads the financial race in hockey. Below is the full table, counting down from #10 to the #1 spot.

Which NHL Player is the Richest?

When it comes to wealth, salaries, and career earnings, the richest NHL player in 2025 is Leon Draisaitl, the German-born superstar of the Edmonton Oilers. Currently the highest paid NHL player with a salary of $14 million per year, Draisaitl has not only secured his place among the league’s elite but also established himself as one of the most financially successful athletes in hockey. Draisaitl entered the NHL in 2014 as the third overall draft pick, and since then, he has built a legacy as one of the league’s most dominant forwards. His exceptional scoring touch, playmaking vision, and ability to perform in high-pressure moments have earned him multiple All-Star nods, a Hart Memorial Trophy, and the respect of fans and analysts worldwide. Alongside Connor McDavid, Draisaitl forms half of the most dangerous duo in modern hockey, consistently leading the Edmonton Oilers into Stanley Cup contention. What truly sets Draisaitl apart as the richest ice hockey player today is not just his massive contract, but also his growing influence off the ice. Endorsement deals, international recognition, and his role as one of the greatest German-born players in NHL history have all contributed to his financial success. While legends like Mario Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky are often regarded as the richest NHL players of all time, Draisaitl’s trajectory suggests he may one day join their ranks at the very top. With elite talent, consistent dominance, and financial growth, Leon Draisaitl represents the new standard of what it means to be the richest NHL player in the modern era.

#10: William Nylander

William Nylander has become one of the Toronto Maple Leafs’ most important stars, both on and off the ice. Known for his smooth skating, high-end puck skills, and clutch scoring ability, Nylander has consistently delivered in crucial moments for Toronto. His strong play earned him a lucrative contract extension that pushed him into the list of the richest ice hockey players in 2025. Off the ice, Nylander benefits from endorsements and his marketability as one of Sweden’s brightest hockey exports. While he may not yet rival the richest NHL player of all time, his net worth is growing steadily, and his prime years are still ahead.

#9: Erik Karlsson

A two-time Norris Trophy winner, Erik Karlsson has long been regarded as one of the best defensemen of his generation. His offensive flair, ability to lead a power play, and smooth skating made him a franchise cornerstone during his Ottawa Senators years and later with the San Jose Sharks. Now with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Karlsson’s hefty contracts and accolades have secured his place among the richest NHL players. His leadership and reputation as one of the most dynamic defensemen in modern hockey have made him both a highest paid NHL player at his peak and a consistent force financially.

#8: Elias Pettersson

Elias Pettersson is the face of the Vancouver Canucks and one of the brightest young stars in the league. Known for his elite hockey IQ, precise shot, and playmaking ability, Pettersson has lived up to the hype since entering the NHL. His impressive play has earned him major contract extensions, pushing his net worth higher each season. As one of the most exciting Swedish forwards of his generation, he is quickly climbing the ranks of the richest ice hockey players, and given his age, his long-term financial potential remains enormous.

#7: Artemi Panarin

Nicknamed “The Breadman,” Artemi Panarin has become the New York Rangers’ offensive engine since joining the team in 2019. Known for his elite passing, hockey vision, and consistency as a top scorer, Panarin’s massive contract made him one of the highest paid NHL players. His net worth reflects not only his on-ice dominance but also his growing popularity in New York, one of hockey’s biggest markets. Panarin’s career trajectory and financial growth place him firmly in the discussion of the richest NHL players of this generation.

#6: Mikko Rantanen

Mikko Rantanen is a critical piece of the Colorado Avalanche’s Stanley Cup-winning core. His size, skill, and ability to perform in the playoffs have made him one of the most respected wingers in the league. Rantanen’s impressive contracts, combined with his endorsements, have helped elevate him into the list of the richest ice hockey players in 2025. Playing alongside Nathan MacKinnon has only increased his visibility and marketability, ensuring his financial trajectory continues upward.

#5: Mitchell Marner

Mitchell Marner is one of Toronto’s biggest stars and a fan favorite. Known for his elite two-way game, playmaking vision, and consistency, Marner’s presence on the Leafs’ roster has been invaluable. Financially, his large contracts and endorsements have propelled him into the top five of the richest NHL players in 2025. Marner is not just a high-earning player but also one of the most marketable, making him a candidate to join the conversation of the richest NHL players of all time if his career continues on this trajectory.

#4: Connor McDavid

Connor McDavid is often considered the best player in the world, and his financial status reflects that. As the captain of the Edmonton Oilers, McDavid has consistently dominated the league with his unmatched speed, vision, and playmaking ability. He has won multiple MVPs and scoring titles, solidifying himself as not only the face of the NHL but also one of the highest paid NHL players. McDavid’s endorsements and global recognition make him a true superstar and one of the richest ice hockey players in modern history.

#3: Nathan MacKinnon

Nathan MacKinnon’s combination of speed, power, and skill makes him one of the most complete players in the NHL. A Stanley Cup champion and consistent point producer, MacKinnon has been rewarded with one of the league’s largest contracts. His financial standing secures him as one of the richest NHL players, and his reputation as one of the most competitive players in hockey ensures his continued rise. Off the ice, his sponsorships and presence in hockey media further cement him as one of the most influential and wealthy players today.

#2: Auston Matthews

Auston Matthews, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ franchise center, is not just a superstar but also a financial powerhouse. As one of the highest paid NHL players, Matthews has built a net worth that places him near the very top of the sport. Known for his elite goal-scoring ability and leadership, Matthews has carried the Leafs through multiple successful seasons. His massive contracts, endorsements, and recognition as one of the NHL’s brightest stars have put him in contention to one day be called the richest NHL player of all time.

#1: Leon Draisaitl

At the top of the list sits Leon Draisaitl, the current richest NHL player in 2025. With an annual salary of $14 million, he is also the highest paid NHL player, edging out his teammate Connor McDavid and rival Auston Matthews. Draisaitl’s rise from a young draft pick in Germany to one of the NHL’s elite forwards has been extraordinary. A Hart Trophy winner, multiple All-Star, and cornerstone of the Edmonton Oilers, Draisaitl’s on-ice dominance has matched his financial success. Endorsements and his role as one of the greatest German-born players in NHL history further elevate him into the conversation of the richest ice hockey players in the world today.