Leo Carlsson and Kirill Kaprizov are at the top of NHL pay for the 2026-27 season, at reported cap hits of about $18 million and $17 million. Sources disagree on a few numbers, so the figures below are approximate cap hits (average annual value), not take-home pay.
Please note that in the NHL the cap hit is an average annual value of the contract. Salaries in a given season can differ from it because of signing bonuses.
| Rank | Player | Reported cap hit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leo Carlsson | about $18.0 million |
| 2 | Kirill Kaprizov | about $17.0 million |
| 3 | Leon Draisaitl | about $14.0 million |
| 4 | Jack Eichel | about $13.5 million |
| 5 | Auston Matthews | about $13.25 million |
| 6 | Nathan MacKinnon | about $12.6 million |
| 7 | Connor McDavid | about $12.5 million |
1. Leo Carlsson: about $18.0 million
The Anaheim Ducks center is reported at the top of the league on a five-year deal.
2. Kirill Kaprizov: about $17.0 million
The Minnesota Wild left winger is on an eight-year deal.
3. Leon Draisaitl: about $14.0 million
The Edmonton Oilers center is on a long-term deal reported at about $14 million a year.
4. Jack Eichel: about $13.5 million
The Vegas Golden Knights center is among the league’s top earners.
5. Auston Matthews: about $13.25 million
The Toronto Maple Leafs center is on a four-year contract signed in 2023.
6. Nathan MacKinnon: about $12.6 million
The Colorado Avalanche center signed an eight-year extension that made him the league’s highest-paid player at the time at $12.6 million a year.
7. Connor McDavid: about $12.5 million
On October 6, 2025, the Edmonton Oilers captain signed a two-year extension at an average annual value of $12.5 million. He led the league in points with 138 in 2025-26 and won his sixth Art Ross Trophy.
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See also the richest NBA players and our video on the richest hockey players in the world.
FAQ
Who is the highest-paid hockey player in 2026-27?
Leo Carlsson of the Anaheim Ducks, at a reported cap hit of about $18 million.
What is a cap hit?
The average annual value of a player’s contract, used to count against the team’s salary cap.
How much does Connor McDavid make?
His two-year extension signed on October 6, 2025 averages $12.5 million a year.
Why do sources disagree?
Some sites list cap hits and others list salaries, and they update at different times.
What happened to the old list?
The old top 15 (Crosby, Toews, Kane and others) came from earlier contracts and is out of date.
How we put this list together
We ranked players by the reported cap hit of their current contracts, and we flag figures that sources disagree on as approximate.
Last updated: October 2026.
