The NHL’s highest-paid players 2026

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1

Think about these questions before watching.

  1. Many professional athletes earn incredibly high salaries. What kind of skills, dedication, or sacrifices do you believe justify such high earnings in any profession, not just sports?
  2. Beyond the game itself, professional sports are a huge business. How do you think large sums of money, like player contracts or sponsorship deals, influence the sport, the teams, and even the fans?
  3. Imagine you are a general manager for a professional sports team. What qualities would you prioritize when deciding to offer a multi-million dollar contract to a player? Would you focus more on current performance, future potential, or something else?
2

Watch the video carefully. Pay attention to the main ideas and key details.

Video script133 segments · click a timestamp to jump

Today on Forbes, the NHL's highest paid

players 2026.

For 6 years, the NHL's salary cap barely

budged, inching up from $79.5 million in

the 2018-19 season to $83.5 million for

the 2023 24 season. But with the

financial aftershocks of the CO 19

pandemic finally subsiding and explosive

sponsorship growth supercharging the

league's revenue, the cap has jumped to

$14 million this season, unlocking gobs

of new money for general managers across

the NHL. They have happily put it to

work. The 202627 season began this past

week. Of the largest contracts in the

NHL's salary cap era, which dates back

21 years, 14 of the top 18 deals in

terms of average annual value, were

signed in either 2025 or 2026.

The most recent flood was unleashed in

July when the Philadelphia Flyers signed

restricted free agent center Leo Carlson

to a 5-year, $90 million offer sheet,

which the Anaheim Ducks matched [music]

days later to retain him.

At an average of $18 million a year, the

deal set an NHL contract record, which

was surpassed twice in the following

weeks by San Jose Shark Center Mlin

Celebrini's 5-year, $94 million

extension at an annual average of $18.8

million, and Colorado Avalanche

defenseman Kale Mar's 8-year 163 million

pact, [music] a $20.4 million annual

average.

Still, Celabbrrini and Macar's big new

money won't kick in until the 2027-28

season, leaving Carlson as the NHL's

highest paid player this year at the top

of our list. Given the front-loaded

structure of the deal and adding in an

estimated $400,000 from endorsements and

other business endeavors, the Duck's

21-year-old rising star is set to

collect $21.2 2 million this season

before taxes and agent fees, edging

Edmonton Oilers center Conor McDavid at

$20.8 million, who lands at number two

on our list.

They become the second and third players

in the 16-year history of Forbes's NHL

earnings list to cross $20 million,

which is unadjusted for inflation,

following Austin Matthews, who brought

in an estimated $21.7 million in 202425

and followed it up with $20.2 2 million

last [music] season. The 29-year-old

Toronto Maple Leaf Center misses this

year's top 10, however, with an

estimated $14.6 million in total income

[music] as the leaguewide contract

tsunami sends six newcomers surging onto

the list. Minnesota Wild left-wing Kel

Capri off, who last qualified for the

ranking in 2023 24 along with five

players who have never appeared.

Together, the NHL's 10 top earners are

set to pocket $186 million in total

pre-tax income this season, up 11% from

last year's record $167 million.

The gain is welcome news in a league

that hasn't always kept pace financially

with its major North American rivals.

For instance, in the NHL, which placed

Detroit Red Wings great Sergey Federov

on Forbes's Celebrity 100 list in 1999

with $29.8 million in total earnings

before the introduction of the salary

cap transformed player compensation. The

cutoff for the 10 highest paid players

has risen 54% over the past decade from

$10.4 million in 201617

to $16 million this season.

The comparable figures in the NFL and

the NBA are 66% and 135% respectively.

And even in MLB, where the earnings list

threshold has climbed by a less

impressive 46%, this year's number 10,

New York Yankees pitcher Garrett Cole

rad in an estimated $37.5 million,

beating Carlson's Newh Hall by more than

$16 million.

There are also at least 246 players

across MLB, the NBA, and the NFL whose

onfield pay surpasses Carlson's this

season. According to Spotrak,

in large part, that reality is a

reflection of the gap in the league's

business. Under the NHL's collective

bargaining agreement, players are

entitled to 50% of the league's hockey

related revenue, but that puts them at a

multi-billion dollar deficit relative to

the athletes in say the NBA, which

similarly guarantees a roughly even

split of revenue. NHL players also ran

up a debt to team owners when league

revenue fell short of projections during

the pandemic, which kept the salary cap

from meaningfully increasing.

NHL players have had fewer and less

lucrative endorsement opportunities than

athletes in leagues like the NBA and the

NFL. Only a couple of handfuls of stars

across the league are believed to bank

more than $1 million off the ice

annually. Led by McDavid, an estimated

$6.5 million, Pittsburgh Penguins legend

Cydney Crosby with $6 million. Record

setting Washington Capitals left-wing

Alex Ovetkin [music] with $5 million.

and Matthews and Nathan McKinnon both at

$3.5 million.

Some league insiders believe the

marketing outlook is improving, however,

and the recent wave of big on ice

contracts certainly demonstrate that the

sport has momentum.

For full coverage and to see the whole

list, check out Brett Knight's piece on

Forbes.com.

This is Kieran Meadows from Forbes.

Thanks for tuning in.

3

Answer these questions in your own words. Support your answers with evidence from the video.

01What were the main reasons for the significant increase in the NHL's salary cap this season, after years of minimal change?
Sample answerThe video explains that the salary cap jumped because the financial problems from the COVID-19 pandemic are finally over. Also, the league has seen a huge increase in sponsorship money, which has boosted its revenue.
02Who is currently the NHL's highest-paid player *this season*, and why is he earning more than players with higher average annual contract values?
Sample answerLeo Carlson is the highest-paid player this season, earning $21.2 million. This is because his contract is front-loaded, meaning he gets a lot of money early on, and he also has endorsement deals. Other players like Celebrini and Macar have bigger overall contracts, but their highest earnings won't start until a later season.
03In what ways do the earnings of top NHL players compare unfavorably to those in other major North American sports leagues like the NFL, NBA, and MLB?
Sample answerThe video shows that the NHL is behind other leagues. For example, the increase in the top 10 player earnings over the last decade is much lower in the NHL (54%) compared to the NBA (135%) or NFL (66%). Also, the 10th highest-paid player in MLB, Garrett Cole, earns significantly more than the NHL's top earner, Leo Carlson, and over 246 players in other leagues make more than Carlson this season.
04According to the video, what are some of the key reasons why NHL players generally have fewer lucrative endorsement opportunities compared to athletes in the NBA or NFL?
Sample answerThe video suggests that the overall business size of the NHL is smaller than other leagues, leading to a multi-billion dollar revenue deficit compared to the NBA, even though players get a similar percentage of revenue. Also, NHL players accumulated debt to team owners during the pandemic. These factors contribute to fewer and less profitable endorsement deals for most NHL players, with only a few stars earning over $1 million annually from off-ice activities.
4

Vocabulary

Vocabulary
These expressions will help you communicate more naturally about this topic.
Examples
salary cap — a limit on the total amount of money that a sports team can spend on player salaries.
This term is specific to professional sports leagues. Teams must stay under the cap, and it often 'increases' or 'decreases' each season.
lucrative endorsement deal — a very profitable agreement where a famous person promotes a product or company in exchange for a large sum of money.
This phrase is commonly used in discussions about athletes' income outside of their main salary. Athletes often 'sign' or 'secure' these deals.
financial aftershocks — the negative economic consequences or effects that continue for some time after a major financial event or crisis.
This phrase is often used in formal contexts to describe the lingering impact of economic downturns, pandemics, or significant market changes.
to secure a multi-year contract — to successfully obtain or sign an agreement that commits a player to a team for several years.
This phrase is common in sports news. 'Secure' means to get something successfully, often after negotiation. A 'multi-year' contract provides long-term stability.
to be worth every penny — to be completely justified in its high cost because of its excellent quality, performance, or benefit.
This informal idiom is often used when discussing whether a highly paid player or an expensive purchase delivers enough value to justify the cost.
5

Professional sports contracts and finances

Match the beginning of each sentence with its correct ending to form complete, grammatically correct statements about professional sports finances.

Match each item on the left with the correct item on the right.

A
B
6

Complete the sentences with words from the box. One word is extra.

Word bank
01To maintain competitive balance, the league decided to implement a strict for all teams.
02After his Olympic victory, the athlete was offered a with a global sportswear company.
03The country experienced severe for years following the banking crisis.
04The coach's main priority was to with their star player before the transfer window closed.
05Investing in high-quality training equipment might seem expensive, but it will ultimately in terms of performance.
7

Words to take with you

Vocabulary
These expressions are not in the video but will help you discuss this topic more fluently.
Examples
performance-based incentives — additional payments or benefits a player receives if they achieve specific goals or milestones, such as scoring a certain number of points or winning a championship.
Use this term when discussing how contracts are structured to motivate athletes. For example: "Many modern sports contracts include performance-based incentives to encourage players to excel." Or: "His bonus was tied to performance-based incentives."
to command a high salary — to be able to demand and receive a large amount of money for one's work, usually due to exceptional skill, value, or market demand.
This phrase describes top athletes who are highly sought after and whose talent justifies a large paycheck. For example: "Given his incredible talent and impact on the team, it's no surprise he can command a high salary."
a rebuilding phase — a period when a sports team intentionally makes significant changes to its roster, often by trading experienced players for younger talent or draft picks, with the aim of improving future performance.
Use this when discussing a team's long-term strategy, especially after a period of poor performance. For example: "After several disappointing seasons, the team entered a rebuilding phase, focusing on developing young players."
player agent — a professional who represents athletes in contract negotiations, marketing, and financial matters, ensuring they get the best possible deals and manage their careers effectively.
This noun is essential for understanding who handles the business side for professional athletes. For example: "A good player agent is crucial for negotiating a fair contract and managing an athlete's career."
to be a game-changer — someone or something that significantly alters the outcome, situation, or rules of a game, competition, or industry.
This idiomatic expression can be used for a player whose presence dramatically improves a team, or for a new strategy or rule that has a major impact. For example: "Signing that star forward was a game-changer for the team; they immediately started winning more."
8

Match each word on the left with its natural partner on the right.

A
B
9

Use the word in brackets to form a new word that fits each gap.

01
The league introduced a new financial to ensure fair competition among teams.
02
Many athletes seek deals to supplement their income beyond their playing salaries.
03
After the economic downturn, the team faced several challenges, impacting their ability to sign top players.
04
After weeks of intense , both parties finally reached a consensus on the new contract terms.
05
The team's management had to provide strong for the player's incredibly high salary.
06
The new television deal will benefit the league, allowing for higher player salaries.
10

Beyond the ice: The economics of a superstar contract

Read the passage below, then answer the comprehension questions.

When a star athlete signs a record-breaking contract, it often sparks debate among fans. Is anyone truly worth such an astronomical sum? Take, for instance, the recent buzz around a top forward who just secured a multi-year contract with his team, reportedly for an eye-watering sum. This deal, while impressive, isn't just about his on-ice performance; it reflects a complex interplay of market forces.

The team's ability to offer such a deal is, of course, influenced by the league's salary cap, which has seen significant adjustments in recent years. After navigating the financial aftershocks of previous global events, many sports leagues are experiencing renewed economic growth, allowing teams more flexibility. This means general managers can now invest more heavily in elite talent, hoping these players will prove to be worth every penny.

Beyond their team salary, many of these athletes also command incredibly lucrative endorsement deals. These agreements with major brands can often rival, or even exceed, their playing income, turning them into global marketing assets. For a player, securing a multi-year contract provides stability and the opportunity to build a lasting legacy, both on and off the ice. For the team, it’s a calculated risk, betting that the player's skill, fan appeal, and leadership will translate into championships and increased revenue.

01According to the passage, what are some of the key factors that enable sports teams to offer large contracts to star athletes?
Sample answerThe passage mentions that a team's ability to offer large contracts is influenced by the league's salary cap and the renewed economic growth of sports leagues after financial aftershocks.
02How do lucrative endorsement deals contribute to an athlete's overall income, as described in the passage?
Sample answerLucrative endorsement deals can significantly boost an athlete's income, sometimes even matching or surpassing their salary from playing for their team, by turning them into global marketing assets for major brands.
03The passage states that securing a multi-year contract is a 'calculated risk' for a team. What does this phrase imply about the team's perspective?
Sample answerThis implies that while teams hope for success, they are taking a chance that the player will continue to perform at a high level, maintain fan appeal, and contribute to championships and revenue throughout the entire duration of the expensive, long-term agreement.
04When fans debate whether a highly paid player is 'worth every penny,' what specific aspects of the player's contribution are they most likely evaluating?
Sample answerFans are likely evaluating whether the player's on-ice performance, leadership, ability to win games or championships, and overall impact on the team's success and revenue justify the enormous sum of money they are being paid.
11

Decide if each statement is true or false. Correct the false ones.

01A significant majority of the largest contracts in the NHL's salary cap era, specifically 14 out of the top 18 deals by average annual value, were signed in the last two years (2025 or 2026).
02Conor McDavid is the first player in Forbes's 16-year history of NHL earnings to cross the $20 million mark in a single season.
03The record for the highest average annual value in an NHL contract was broken twice within weeks after Leo Carlson's deal, first by Mlin Celebrini and then by Kale Mar.
04Over the past decade, the percentage increase in the cutoff for the NHL's top 10 highest-paid players (54%) is higher than that of the NFL (66%).
05Among NHL stars, Conor McDavid earns the most from off-ice endorsements, bringing in an estimated $6.5 million annually.
12

Discuss these questions with a partner. Try to use vocabulary from the lesson.

  1. Are multi-year contracts and high salaries always worth every penny for teams?
  2. How do lucrative endorsement deals affect a player's career and public image?
  3. Should professional sports leagues in your country implement a salary cap?