by Dan Adkisson
Professional hockey is one of the most compensated sports in North America, with both salary caps and contracts constantly on the rise. But have you ever wondered how much do professional hockey players make these days? In 2025, NHL salaries are at an all-time high, but what about those players who are in lower-tier leagues?
Still, making it to the NHL takes more than talent; it’s a long shot. Of the roughly 200 players drafted each year, only a few go on to secure lucrative contracts. In fact, the odds of turning pro are estimated at around 1 in 4,000. It’s a reminder that while professional hockey can be a golden ticket, for most, it remains a dream — one that, like a well-placed bet, blends skill, timing, and a little bit of fortune. That might explain why opportunities like the Zodiac Casino $1 deposit resonate with everyday risk-takers, offering a chance to win with just a small stake.
So let’s look at the real numbers that will determine salaries in hockey in 2025.
NHL Salaries 2025
The NHL salary cap for the 2025–26 season is $95.5 million, which is up from the previous cap of $88 million. It is speculated that future ramp-ups will lead to $104 million for 2026-27 and $113.5 million for the 2027-28 season. This shows NHL’s strength and position in regards to financial health and revenue streams.
The average NHL player salary in 2025 is about $3.5 million per year. But on per per-case basis, the variance is high (i.e., experience, position, performance, etc.).
Hockey Pay 2025
While NHL players earn the most, other leagues provide a range of salaries. The American Hockey League (AHL) generally pays players between $50,000 and $150,000, depending on experience and contract.
In European Leagues, players have different salary ranges paid by the country/league. Top players in the KHL or SHL earn between $100,000 and $500,000. Moreover, new NHL players start on entry-level contracts of $925,000 per year. They also get bonuses depending on performance.
Top NHL Earners
So, how much money do professional hockey players make ? The faces of the NHL earn much more than their less noticeable colleagues.
Below are the highest salary earners from the 2025-26 season:
- Auston Matthews – The Toronto Maple Leafs center and captain is an elite goal scorer and is set to earn $13.25 million in 2025.
- Nathan MacKinnon – Another center player in this list, Nathan MacKinnon, is the alternate captain for the Colorado Avalanche. The Canadian will bring home about $12.6 million from his contract in 2025.
- Elias Pettersson – The Vancouver Canucks forward from Sweden had signed an 8-year contract in March 2024. The deal’s total worth is $92.8 million, which means that Pettersson’s average annual salary is $11.6 million.
- William Nylander – After a couple of good seasons, Nylander signed an 8-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs in January 2024, which will see him earn $11.5 million over the course of the season.
- David Pastrnak – The Czech right winger for the Boston Bruins, known for his excellent offense, is earning $11.25 million this season.
- Rasmus Dahlin – Buffalo’s young defenseman is nearly tied with Pastrnak at $11 million.
- Dougie Hamilton – Hamilton continues to earn a large in New Jersey at $9 million.
Player Salary Stats
A few facts to consider to understand NHL statistics when it comes to finances in 2025 include:
- Highest Salary: Auston Matthews is first at $13.25 million.
- Average salary: About $3.5 million across the NHL.
- Top Goaltender Salary: Igor Shesterkin signed an eight-year, $92 million (11.5 million per season) contract, making him the highest-paid goaltender in NHL history.
NHL Pay Scale
So how does the NHL pay scale work? Each NHL team has to operate its player payroll using a salary cap, with star players projected to take a significant percentage of the available cap space. As an example, teams could have one player earning $10–$16 million, while most role players would earn $1–$3 million.
You have varied types of contracts that pay differently. Some of them are:
- Entry-Level Contracts are for younger players under 25, with a max value of about $925,000 (not counting any bonuses)
- A Two-Way Contract pays differently when a player is in the NHL or AHL
- The Signing Bonus is often used to front-load contracts with guaranteed income
Governing all of this can be challenging. For example, the LA Kings are managing their salary cap responsibly enough to retain key players heading into next season. New General Manager Ken Holland and coach Jim Hiller will need to quickly partner on an approach they believe is capable of winning playoff games in the 2025–26 season and beyond. These leaders will be an important part of the team’s ability to build a competitive roster in the months ahead by overseeing contracts and the salary cap.
Who Gets Paid Most?
But, how much do professional hockey players make a year? Well, the highest annual salaries are awarded to those players who are usually:
- Elite scorers consistently near the top of the individual player rankings amongst all league forwards
- Any franchise center that controls the game and leads its team
- Any elite defenseman who logs significant minutes and contributes in all situations.
- Any goaltender with a proven record and playoff experience.
A great example is Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl. He signed an 8-year, $112 million contract extension with the Oilers, earning $14 million annually. He is considered one of the highest-paid players in the NHL.