Top 10 Highest-career Earnings in NHL History

As the NHL continues to thrive with new broadcast deals and sponsorships, it’s sent player salaries through the roof.  In the last few weeks and months we’ve seen Mammoth star Logan Cooley sign an eight-year, $80 million extension, Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson sign for 8 years, $70.8 million and Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov sign an 8 years, $136 million, the largest contract in NHL history.  Ever wonder which players have made the most in their NHL careers? Well, here’s the top ten when it comes to career earnings in the NHL.

1. Alex Ovechkin – $170,720,893

Alex Ovechkin currently sits atop the earnings list. After this current season, the all-time goal scoring leader will make nearly $171 million.  He has played since 2005 for the Washington Capitals and his longevity, consistent high performance, and major contract extensions have pushed him into this spot. Ovechkin’s earning milestone reflects both his on-ice productivity and the broader rise in NHL salaries over his career.  And he hasn’t indicated he plans to hang up the skates anytime soon.

 2. Sidney Crosby $165,670,244

Next on the list is Sidney Crosby, with career earnings around US$166 million, but in reality, he should be in the top spot.  We’ll explain shortly.  Crosby entered the NHL in 2005 with the Pittsburgh Penguins and has had an elite career, including multiple Stanley Cups, MVP awards and long-term contracts which have built up his total.  Even though Crosby hasn’t moved teams (he stayed in Pittsburgh), he’s taken home town discounts to remain with the Penguins, and a lesser average to help ease salary cap issues.  Over the last few seasons, Crosby could have earned an additional $10 million but chose not to.  Crosby’s stats are incredible, nearly 1400 games, and more than 1700 career points.

3. Evgeni Malkin $151,670,244

In third place is Evgeni Malkin, who will earn over $151 million dollars.  Also a long-time Penguin, Malkin has also taken a bit less to stay with the Penguins and help their cap issues.  He’s won Stanley Cups, played more than 1200 games, 500 goals, and nearing 1400 career points.  This is likely his last season in Pittsburgh, and it’ll be interesting to see if the future Hall of Famer decides to continue playing in the NHL.

4. Anže Kopitar $143,250,000

Anze Kopitar will be retiring at the end of the season and when it’s all said and done, the captain will earn more than $143 million over his career.  The big Slovenian has spent his entire career with the Los Angeles Kings and has won two Stanley Cups, two Selke awards and three Lady Byng trophies.  He’s closing in on 1500 NHL games and has nearly 1300 career points.

5. Jaromír Jágr $135,382,322

What’s interesting is Jaromir Jágr left the NHL in 2018 and still comes in at number five on the list.  He earned more than $135 million dollars from 1990-2018.  An absolute legend, Jagr still plays professional hockey overseas, and is very active on Instagram.  To think he was paid for 28 years is mind boggling yet his longevity is second to none.  Jagr still remains second all time in NHL points with 1921, only behind the Great One, Wayne Gretzky.

6. Steven Stamkos $134,925,000

The list continues with Stamkos at approximately US$135 million in career salary earnings. 

Stamkos, who played most of his career for the Tampa Bay Lightning, signed big contracts in the modern salary era, which helped accumulate his total faster in fewer years than some earlier players. He left Florida for Nashville signing a four-year deal worth $32 million, which still has a couple years left. One of the best snipers of his era, Stamkos is closing on 600 career goals and 1200 points.

7. Drew Doughty $132,929,879

Drew Doughty was drafted second overall by the Los Angeles Kings in 2008 and has built a Hall of Fame–worthy NHL career.  His career earnings will top almost  $133 million and he could stick around to play longer.  A cornerstone defenseman, Doughty has played over 1,100 games with the Kings, winning two Stanley Cups (2012, 2014) and earning the 2016 Norris Trophy as the league’s top defenseman. He has also excelled internationally, capturing two Olympic gold medals with Team Canada (2010, 2014).  

8. Shea Weber $132,831,000

Shea Weber hasn’t played since the 2020-21 season but cracks the list at number 8.  Weber’s body couldn’t handle the toll and he essentially retired early despite having 5 years left on his contract.  His rights have been traded a few times, most recently to Chicago.  Weber signed a front-loaded $110 million, 14-year offer sheet with Philadelphia before Nashville matched it.  He had a solid NHL career,  playing 1,000 games, and made a good chunk of coin.

9. Vincent Lecavalier $131,621,433

Vincent Lecavalier was the first overall pick by the Lightning in 1998 and went on to make about $131 million over this career.  Lecavalier played 1,212 games scoring 421 goals and 949 points for three different teams (Flyers, Kings).  Lecavalier signed four significant NHL contracts including an 11-year deal with Tampa Bay and another 5-year contract with the Philadelphia Flyers.

10. Erik Karlsson $131,429,879

Erik Karlsson continues to play right now and comes in at $131 million dollars, and he is listed at around US$122.39 million in career earnings.  He still has one more year left at $11.5 million that expires after next season.  Karlsson signed a 8 year, $92,000,000 contract with the San Jose Sharks in 2019 and is now with the Penguins.

11. Carey Price $131,050,000

We’re going to add one more to the list, just because he’s the only goalie to make the list.  Carey Price has made over $131 million dollars But his last season of significant hockey came in 2019–20 with the Montreal Canadiens when he played 58 games.  Since then, he played 30 NHL games before stepping aside due to injuries.   Before the start of this season, his contractual rights were traded to San Jose.

NOTE:  *all salary totals include the 2025-26 season*

Final Thoughts

The fact that many of these top earners are still active (or recently retired) indicates that salary growth in the NHL has been substantial.  Longevity matters as many of the players have had careers that spanned nearly two decades.   But the reality is, as salaries continue to rise (it won’t be long before a player is making $20 million a season), in a decade, this list will see players who have made a quarter of a billion dollars over their careers. Connor McDavid, Connor Bedard, Macklin Celebrini, the Hughes brothers, all young stars with long careers ahead of them.  It won’t be long before you see their names on this list in just a few short seasons.