Hockey is one of the most popular and most watched sports, especially in countries such as Canada, Finland, Sweden and Norway. Even though hockey is not as big as soccer worldwide, the top hockey players can earn some serious money. In fact, their salaries would make some of us regular people turn green with envy.
Some hockey players’ annual contracts include salaries that rise to millions of dollars. But that’s not all, because in addition to an annual salary, they also get endorsements and payments from commercials, advertisements and sponsorships.
There are some different factors that affect the salary negotiations. In this article, we’ll look at some of the top-earning hockey players and why they’re earning what they do.
Top five hockey players who earn millions
The NHL is the premier hockey league globally, and many of the sport’s highest-paid athletes are found here, as you would expect.
Hockey players receive annual salaries, but players also earn money through sponsorships, business ventures and media appearances. Though the annual salary is usually the biggest chunk of their earnings, extra appearances and sponsorships can bring in millions for the most well-known players.
Also, it’s worth noting that players receive an annual base salary, but they also receive sign-on bonuses and performance bonuses that affect their earnings. We’ve listed base salaries below:
#1 Connor McDavid
Connor McDavid has become one of the league’s most skillful players. He’s also one of the best paid players in the NHL. He brings home an annual base salary of astonishing $12.5 million from the Edmonton Oilers, while extra deals with companies like CCM take his earnings well over this figure.
McDavid’s endorsement portfolio also includes some major deals with popular companies like Adidas and Gatorade. He is one of the highest-paid players in the league, and he’s highly marketable, which opens a lot of doors for him in terms of making some extra bank.
#2 Alex Ovechkin
Russian player Alex Ovechkin earns an annual base salary of $5 million. He is not just one of the greatest goal scorers in the history of the NHL but also one of its top earners, and for good reason. The Washington Capitals captain also earns extra income from sponsorships and appearances, which takes his earnings well over $5 million annually.
Ovechkin has maintained lucrative partnerships with global brands like Nike and Adidas. He also has endorsement deals with some Russian companies.
#3 Patrick Kane
Chicago Blackhawks’ Patrick Kane continues to be one of the NHL’s top earners, with an average of $3 million base salary. Kane also has a strong endorsement portfolio with brands like Bauer, Gatorade and McDonald’s, giving him another healthy revenue stream.
Patrick Kane, along with all the other high-paid NHL players, can be seen playing in the biggest games that can be streamed live. Online betting sites also show NHL scores live when you make a bet on the game, making it easier to track the top players playing for their teams.
#4 Sidney Crosby
Sidney Crosby in the height of his career and on his pre-2025 contract hit up to $12 million as a base salary. He is one of the most popular players of his generation, so it’s no wonder he has been able to land top-paying contracts and sponsorships. He receives his annual salary from the Pittsburgh Penguins, but his wealth also comes from endorsements with brands such as Nike, Coca-Cola and Bell Canada, which boost his paycheck.
#5 Carey Price
Canadian goaltender Carey Price is not paid as much compared to other players. His annual base salary is $2 million. However, Price signed a massive eight-year contract with the Montreal Canadiens in 2017, which ensures that his financial future is settled. He also has several endorsement deals off the ice, including companies like Bauer and CCM. This adds significantly to his annual salary.
Additionally, Price has invested in various business ventures, which helps diversify his income sources.
What factors affect salary negotiations?
The structure of NHL contracts has changed recently, and many players are opting for long-term deals that guarantee large salaries. For instance, Connor McDavid’s eight-year contract with the Edmonton Oilers is a prime example of how players can lock in a significant portion of their earnings for the long haul.
Also, while hockey may not attract the same level of global endorsement deals as other sports do, the best hockey players can still negotiate lucrative deals with big brands like Nike, McDonald’s, Coca-Cola and others. Companies in hockey-related industries have long recognized the global influence of top players and they offer endorsement deals that add millions to a player’s net worth. This is obviously great news for the players.
What also helps with boosting hockey players’ salaries is access to international companies. Many top earners, including Russian Alexander Ovechkin and Canadian Carey Price, demonstrate how the international appeal of certain players can boost their earnings. It’s easier for players to catch international deals in 2025.
Another way for players to increase their wealth is through post-career investments. Many retired or semi-retired players continue to earn money through coaching, media appearances and ownership of hockey teams, for example.
As the NHL secures bigger television deals, expands its global reach and increases its revenue streams, players’ contracts and endorsement opportunities will likely continue to improve. It’s unlikely that they’ll ever reach the levels of the highest paid football players or Formula One drivers, but any improvement is welcome.
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