NHL’s Financial Elite: Top 25 Highest-Paid Players of the 2023-24 Season

The financial landscape of the NHL is outlined once again as the league’s highest-paid players for the 2023-24 season take center stage. While the free-agent class fell short of expectations, the list showcases familiar faces, with some notable newcomers who secured lucrative extensions. Let’s delve into the rankings and explore the financial hierarchy of the NHL’s elite.

NHL’s 25 Highest-Paid Players 2023-24:

1. Nathan MacKinnon, C, Avalanche
   • AAV: $12.6 million
   • The 27-year-old Stanley Cup champion claims the top spot with his eight-year, $100.8 million extension, making him the league’s highest-paid player.
2. Connor McDavid, C, Oilers
   • AAV: $12.5 million
   • Despite being the NHL’s top player, McDavid settles for second place in earnings, trailing MacKinnon by a modest $100,000 annually.
3. Artemi Panarin, LW, Rangers
   • AAV: $11.642 million
   • Panarin, a dynamic force for the Rangers, secures the third spot, contributing significantly to the team’s rebuild with 341 points in 268 games.
4. Auston Matthews, C, Maple Leafs
   • AAV: $11.64 million
   • The 2021-22 Hart Trophy winner remains a game-changer for the Maple Leafs as he enters the final year of his five-year, $58.19 million extension.
5. Erik Karlsson, D, Sharks
   • AAV: $11.5 million
   • The reigning Norris Trophy winner is anticipated to make a move this offseason, with four years left on his contract.
6. David Pastrnak, RW, Bruins
   • AAV: $11.25 million
   • Pastrnak secures his place with an eight-year, $90 million extension, showcasing his prowess with 113 points during the record-setting Bruins’ regular season.
7. John Tavares, C, Maple Leafs
   • AAV: $11 million
   • Consistently contributing, Tavares remains a valuable asset for Toronto, entering the sixth year of his seven-year, $77 million deal.
8. Drew Doughty, D, Kings
   • AAV: $11 million
   • Doughty, halfway through his eight-year, $88 million extension, delivers offensively, though opinions on the overall value of the deal vary.
9. Mitch Marner, RW, Maple Leafs
   • AAV: $10.903 million
   • Toronto sees another representative in the top 10, with Marner showcasing consistent performance and posting impressive point totals.
10. Carey Price, G, Canadiens
    • AAV: $10.5 million
    • Despite being the highest-paid goalie, Price faces challenges due to injuries and personal reasons, sidelining him since the 2021-22 season.

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Note: Rankings continue down to Charlie McAvoy at the same AAV of $9.5 million.

In a league where financial dynamics play a pivotal role, these players, with their varying contributions, contracts, and team contexts, form the upper echelon of NHL’s financial elite for the 2023-24 season.