Who are the highest-paid NHL players? A complete ranking of how much the hockey stars make

The NHL will have a new highest-paid player for two seasons in a row.

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon takes the title with a $12.6 million cap hit this season. He signed an eight-year extension last year and the deal takes effect in 2023-24, pushing him past Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid ($12.5 million).

But MacKinnon's title will last only one season. Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews signed a four-year, $53 million extension on Aug. 23. When it takes effect next season, the 2022 Hart Trophy winner will average a league-high $13.25 million.

Matthews entered the season with the most goals (299) since he entered the league in 2016-17. He opened the season with back-to-back hat tricks and added another in his 11th game of the season.

The NHL's highest-paid players (via Cap Friendly):

Who are the NHL's highest-paid players for the 2023-24 season?

1. Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche: $12.6 million cap hit, eight-year, $100,800,000 contract

2. Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers: $12.5 million, eight-year, $100 million contract

3. Artemi Panarin, New York Rangers: $11,642,857, seven-year, $81.5 million contract

4. Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs: $11,640,250, five-year, $58,195,000 contract

5. Erik Karlsson, Pittsburgh Penguins, $11.5 million, eight-year, $92 million contract

6. David Pastrňák, Boston Bruins, $11.25 million, eight-year, $90 million contract

7. Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings, $11 million, eight-year, $88 million contract

8. John Tavares, Toronto Maple Leafs, $11 million, seven-year, $77 million contract

9. Mitch Marner, Toronto Maple Leafs, $10,903,000, six-year, $65,408,000 contract

10. Jonathan Huberdeau, Calgary Flames, $10.5 million, eight-year, $84 million contract

Note: Montreal's Carey Price also averages $10.5 million but is injured

Which NHL players have the highest salaries in 2023-24?

(Figures include signing bonuses)

1. Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche, $16.5 million

2. David Pastrňák, Boston Bruins, $13 million

3. Dougie Hamilton, New Jersey Devils, $12.6 million

4. Seth Jones, Chicago Blackhawks, $12.5 million

5. Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, $12.5 million

6. Kirill Kaprizov, Minnesota Wild, $12.5 million

7. Alex Pietrangelo, Vegas Golden Knights, $12.3 million

8. Timo Meier, New Jersey Devils, $12 million

9. Adam Fox, New York Rangers, $12 million

10. Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets, $12 million

11. Aleksander Barkov, Florida Panthers, $12 million

Who could pass Auston Matthews?

The salary cap will go up by more than $4 million next season after being suppressed since the pandemic. That leads to the possibility of higher salaries for stars.

Vancouver's Elias Pettersson ($7.35 million cap hit) was a possibility as he headed into restricted free agency. But he signed an eight-year extension in March that has an $11.6 million average annual value, according to Cap Friendly. He'll get $14.5 million each of the next two seasons between salary and signing bonus. Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander averaged $11.5 million in the eight-year extension he signed this season.

Edmonton's Leon Draisaitl, who currently averages $8.5 million, will be due a big raise when his contract expires in 2026. It's possible, though, that the Oilers would keep his cap hit below McDavid. That would change if he chooses free agency.

Marner's contract also expires that year. Same with Colorado Avalanche forward Mikko Rantanen.

A player to watch: Chicago Blackhawks rookie Connor Bedard's entry-level contract expires in 2026, though he'll be a restricted free agent. But he's considered a generational player and McDavid got his big contract extension after his second season.

McDavid's contract expires in 2027 and the three-time MVP likely will return to the top salary at that time.

What is the salary cap for the 2024-25 season?

The league said at the board of governors meetings that the salary cap could be $87.7 million in 2024-25. That would be up from $83.5 million this season.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is the highest-paid NHL player? Salaries of hockey stars, ranked