Canucks star among the richest hockey players in 2023-24

While not exactly a surprise considering the massive eight year extension he signed last season, Elias Pettersson of the Vancouver Canucks found himself in the #5 slot among all players in the NHL.

In general, the top tier players in the NHL are clearly getting paid more year over year, and this season was the first time in Forbes history of making such a list that the NHL boasts a player pulling in over $20 million with Auston Matthews and his combined $21.7 million in in 2023-24 income.

While the top salaries are still dwarfed by the stars in other major sports, particularly the NBA, it's a clear sign the NHL is on the rise.

For Elias Pettersson, the 25 year old is set to earn $14.8 million - falling just over a million behind Alex Ovechkin and Connor McDavid.

Pettersson is in the first year of an 8 year deal that pays him an AAV of $11.6 million per season, but massive signing bonuses of $12 million this season and $10 million next season will see him earn $14.5 million in pay during both this and next season.

This year, Pettersson is also making about $300,000 off the ice, working with brands like Bauer, Bose, Fanatics and Vitamin Well.

Players like Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews make a much bigger chunk off of endorsement deals, pulling in $6 million and $5 million off the ice respectively.

While the Canucks will have a few more years before having to hand over another big deal, Quinn Hughes could very well find himself on Forbes' top 10 list when his deal expires following the 2026-27 season.

The most an NHL player has ever earned in one season was in 1999, when Detroit Red Wings forward Sergei Fedorov made $29.8 million pre-salary cap.

Source: Forbes - The NHL's Highest-Paid Players 2024