The top-earning NHL players are less highly paid sport than pros who play football and basketball. However, some players out there are handsomely rewarded for their efforts on the ice rink. We would like to present you with a list we have compiled of the top-earning NHL players in the US, based on figures released last year by Forbes Magazine. Their earnings include both the salaries they receive from their respective teams and any endorsement revenues earned throughout the year.
Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguin emerged as the highest-paid player in the NHL with a total income, salary and endorsements combined, of $12.7 million. However, even though he holds the title of leader in our countdown, Crosby doesn’t boast the highest salary in American hockey. This title is held by our number 2 spot, Alexander Overchkin of the Washington Capitals, with a yearly salary of $9.5 million and a total income of $12 million. Crosby’s teammate, Evgeni Malkin completes our top three, with a total income of $9.1 million. Although he sports the same paycheck as Crosby, Malkin’s significantly lower endorsement revenue led to a $3 million gap in income between the two Penguin players.
The Minnesota Wild ranks as the highest paying team in the NHL, with 3 out of the 15 highest paid players. 2 of them, Suter and Parise were signed on earlier this year.
Curious to see who this year’s top earning NHL players are? Let’s take a look at the countdown of the top-earning NHL players.
No. 15 top-earning NHL player: Scott Gomez (Florida Panthers)
Total earnings: $7.46 million
Average yearly salary: $7.36 million
Endorsement revenues: $100,000
No. 14 top-earning NHL player: Jonathan Toews (Chicago Blackhawks)
Total earnings: $7.5 million
Average yearly salary: $6.3 million
Endorsement revenues: $1.2 million
No. 13 top-earning NHL player: Dany Heatley (Minnesota Wild)
Total earnings: $7.6 million
Average yearly salary: $7.5 million
Endorsement revenues: $75,000
No. 12 top-earning NHL player: Ryan Suter (Minnesota Wild)
Total earnings: $7.6 million
Average yearly salary: $7.5 million
Endorsement revenues: $50,000
No. 11 top-earning NHL player: Marian Gaborik (New York Rangers)
Total earnings: $7.65
Average yearly salary: $7.5 million
Endorsement revenues: $150,000
No. 10 top-earning NHL player: Zach Parise (Minnesota Wild)
Total earnings: $7.74 million
Average yearly salary: $7.54 million
Endorsement revenues: $200,000
No. 9 top-earning NHL player: Jarome Iginla (Boston Bruins)
Total earnings: $7.8 million
Average yearly salary: $7 million
Endorsement revenues: $750,000
No. 8 top-earning NHL player: Vincent Lecavalier (Tampa Bay Lightning)
Total earnings: $7.9 million
Average yearly salary: $7.7 million
Endorsement revenues: $150,000
No. 7 top-earning NHL player: Rick Nash (New York Rangers)
Total earnings: $8 million
Average yearly salary: $7.8 million
Endorsement revenues: $150,000
No. 6 top-earning NHL player: Shea Weber (Nashville Predators)
Total earnings: $8 million
Average yearly salary: $7.9 million
Endorsement revenues: $100,000
No. 5 top-earning NHL player: Steven Stamkos (Tampa Bay Lightning)
Total earnings: $8.3 million
Average yearly salary: $7.5 million
Endorsement revenues: $800,000
No. 4 top-earning NHL player: Eric Staal (Carolina Hurricanes)
Total earnings: $8.5 million
Average yearly salary: $8.25 million
Endorsement revenues: $250,000
No. 3 top-earning NHL player: Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh Penguins)
Total earnings: $9.1 million
Average yearly salary: $8.7 million
Endorsement revenues: $400,000
No. 2 top-earning NHL player: Alexander Overchkin (Washington Capitals)
Total earnings: $12 million
Average yearly salary: $9.5 million
Endorsement revenues: $2.5 million
No. 1 top-earning NHL player: Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins)
Total earnings: $12.7 million
Average yearly salary: $8.7 million
Endorsement revenues: $4 million
If you liked our breakdown of the top-earning NHL players, check out our list of the “Top 5 Highest-Paid Celebrity Couples.”
