Forbes estimates that Auston Matthews will lead NHL player earnings for the 2025–26 season at $20.2 million, ahead of Nathan MacKinnon at $19.1 million and Leon Draisaitl at $19.0 million. These are Forbes estimates for the 2025–26 season—not calendar-year income, salary alone, a salary-cap hit, or a contract’s average annual value. The list covers contracts signed by October 6, 2025, and Forbes España published it on October 8, 2025. Forbes’ 2025 ranking combines season-related on-ice pay with estimated off-ice cash.
Who are the highest-paid NHL players in 2025?
The figures below are Forbes estimates in U.S. dollars for the 2025–26 season. “On ice” and “off ice” are separate components of each player’s estimated total.
| Rank | Player | Team listed by Forbes | Estimated total | On ice | Off ice |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Auston Matthews | Toronto Maple Leafs | $20.2 million | $15.2 million | $5.0 million |
| 2 | Nathan MacKinnon | Colorado Avalanche | $19.1 million | $16.1 million | $3.0 million |
| 3 | Leon Draisaitl | Edmonton Oilers | $19.0 million | $16.5 million | $2.5 million |
| 4 | Mitch Marner | Vegas Golden Knights | $17.0 million | $15.0 million | $2.0 million |
| 5 | Connor McDavid | Edmonton Oilers | $16.5 million | $10.0 million | $6.5 million |
| 6 | Igor Shesterkin | New York Rangers | $15.9 million | $15.8 million | $0.1 million |
| 7 | Sidney Crosby | Pittsburgh Penguins | $15.3 million | $9.8 million | $5.5 million |
| 8 | Mikko Rantanen | Dallas Stars | $15.1 million | $15.0 million | $0.1 million |
| 9 | Elias Pettersson | Vancouver Canucks | $14.8 million | $14.5 million | $0.3 million |
| 10 | David Pastrnak | Boston Bruins | $14.5 million | $12.5 million | $2.0 million |
Matthews tops the list at $20.2 million. MacKinnon and Draisaitl are separated by $100,000 in Forbes’ estimates. The highest estimated off-ice amount among the ten belongs to McDavid, at $6.5 million; Crosby is next at $5.5 million. Forbes’ player ranking and earnings splits report the amounts for each entry.
How much does Auston Matthews make?
Forbes estimates Matthews’ total earnings related to the 2025–26 NHL season at $20.2 million: $15.2 million on ice and $5.0 million off ice. This is an estimate of earnings across those categories, not a statement of his take-home pay after taxes and fees.
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What do Forbes’ on-ice and off-ice figures include?
On-ice earnings
Forbes counts base salary and signing bonuses paid in relation to the 2025–26 season, for contracts signed by October 6, 2025. It rounds on-ice estimates to the nearest $100,000.
Off-ice earnings
Forbes estimates off-ice cash using conversations with industry experts. The category can include endorsements, licensing, appearances, memorabilia, and cash from businesses in which a player has a significant stake. Investment income such as interest and dividends is excluded, while cash from equity stakes a player has sold is counted. Forbes does not subtract taxes or agent fees. Off-ice estimates above $1 million are rounded to the nearest $500,000; those below $1 million are rounded to the nearest $100,000. Forbes’ methodology explains the categories and rounding.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to interpret the ranking
The total is not the same thing as a player’s salary, salary-cap hit, or contract average annual value. Those measures answer different questions: Forbes’ total combines estimated season-linked pay and off-ice cash, while contract and cap figures describe particular terms under NHL rules. The ranking is also tied to its October 6, 2025 contract cutoff, so it should not be read as a live statement of every player’s current contract status or pay.
Forbes estimates the top ten’s combined earnings at $167 million, 8% above the previously stated record of $156 million. It puts their combined off-ice earnings at $27 million. These are Forbes estimates for the ten players in this season-based ranking, not audited totals. Forbes’ combined-earnings figures provide the group comparison.
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