When Connor McDavid finally decided to re-sign with the Oilers on October 6, many expected to see the biggest NHL contract ever. Instead, the center extended his contract on the same annual salary as his current deal.
However, that doesn’t mean fans didn’t get to see some record-breaking deals in recent times. While Leon Draisaitl’s $112 million deal with the Oilers remains the all-time high for the franchise, today we examine the highest earners for all 32 teams in the NHL.
Where Does Leon Draisaitl’s $112M Deal Rank Among NHL’s Highest-Paid Players?
While Kirill Kaprizov’s eight-year, $136 million deal is set to become the biggest deal in NHL history, today, we take a look at the biggest contracts across franchise histories.
Alex Ovechkin (Washington Capitals: 13 Years, $124 Million)
Signed in January 2008, Ovechkin’s 13-year, $124 million contract ($9.54M AAV) was the richest deal in NHL history at the time and remains Washington’s franchise record. He soon delivered on the investment, leading the league in goals eight times during the contract and captaining the Capitals to their first Stanley Cup championship in 2018.
Although surpassed in total value by recent mega-deals, Ovechkin’s contract remained the NHL’s benchmark for over 17 years until Kirill Kaprizov’s $136 million extension in September 2025.
Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers: 8 Years, $112 Million)
With McDavid passing on the opportunity to top Draisaitl to become Edmonton’s highest earner ever, the German forward remains the player with the biggest deal in franchise history. With his latest contract extension, which he signed last year, Draisaitl commands the second-highest AAV of $14 million.
Shea Weber (Nashville Predators: 14 years, $110 Million)
Signed in 2012 as an offer sheet by the Philadelphia Flyers that Nashville matched, Weber’s 14-year, $110 million contract remains one of the most notorious deals in NHL history.
With an average annual value of $7.86 million, the heavily front-loaded structure was designed to make trades prohibitively expensive, resulting in Weber receiving $68 million in the first six years alone.
Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins: 12 Years, $104.4 Million)
Signed in 2013 as an extension that kicked in for the 2013-14 season, Crosby’s 12-year, $104.4 million deal represented ultimate loyalty to the franchise that drafted him first overall in 2005.
With an average annual value of $8.7 million, a symbolic nod to his iconic number 87, the contract was considered a hometown discount for one of the game’s greatest players.
Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche: 8 Years, $100.8 Million)
Since the Avalanche picked him as the #1 pick in 2013, MacKinnon quickly became one of the best players in the league while also cementing his position. So when the center eventually led the franchise to its third Stanley Cup in 2022, they quickly re-signed him to an eight-year deal the next year with an AAV of $12.6 million.
Ilya Kovalchuk (New Jersey Devils: 15 Years, $100 Million)
Signed in September 2010 after the NHL voided a rejected 17-year, $102 million offer, Kovalchuk’s revised 15-year, $100 million deal ($6.67M AAV) remains New Jersey’s franchise record.
The contract proved short-lived, as the elite sniper retired from the NHL just three years in, returning to the KHL in 2013.
Zach Parise/Ryan Suter (Minnesota Wild: 13 Years, $98 Million Each)
Signed on July 4, 2012, the matching 13-year, $98 million deals ($7.54M AAV each) for Parise and Suter were the Wild’s most significant contracts in franchise history.
While both delivered multiple playoff appearances, neither brought a Stanley Cup, and declining production led to both being bought out in 2021. This franchise record will be shattered next season when Kirill Kaprizov’s eight-year, $136 million extension ($17M AAV) begins in 2026-27.
Mitch Marner (Vegas Golden Knights: 8 Years, $96 Million)
Acquired in a blockbuster sign-and-trade from Toronto on July 1, 2025, Marner’s eight-year, $96 million deal gave the Golden Knights one of the league’s elite playmakers at $12 million annually. The deal made Marner Vegas’s highest-paid player.
But this distinction won’t last long, as Jack Eichel already signed an eight-year, $108 million deal on October 8, with an AAV of $13.5 million. But with Eichel’s new deal kicking in 2026, Marner remains the highest-paid player in Vegas history for another season.
Mikko Rantanen (Dallas Stars: 8 Years, $96 Million)
With the Stars failing to make it to the Stanley Cup Finals for the third time last season, it was visible that the franchise needed some firepower. And Dallas brought to the lineup just that as they signed Rantanen to an eight-year deal with an AAV of $12 million earlier this year.
Elias Pettersson (Vancouver Canucks: 8 Years, $92.8 Million)
While the Canucks have struggled with consistency and have been unable to consistently make the playoffs, Pettersson remains one of their top talents. With a career high of 102 points in the 2022-23 season, his sensational performance was enough for the Canucks to lock him to a full extension in 2024 with an AAV of $11.6 million.
Igor Shesterkin (New York Rangers: 8 Years, $92 Million)
While the Rangers continue to struggle as a side, Shesterkin’s consistency as one of the league’s top goalies led New York to offer him an eight-year, $92 million deal earlier this year. With the contract extended, Shesterkin will remain in NY till 2033 with an annual salary of $11.5 million.
William Nylander (Toronto Maple Leafs: 8 Years, $92 Million)
While Captain Auston Matthews claimed the deal with the highest AAV in Toronto history with an annual salary of $13.5 million, it is Nylander who got the biggest deal. After his consistent performances with the franchise, the Maple Leafs locked him last year on an eight-year deal with an AAV of $11.5 million.
Erik Karlsson (San Jose Sharks: 8 Years, $92 Million)
Signed in June 2019, Karlsson’s eight-year, $92 million deal ($11.5M AAV) made him the highest-paid defenseman in NHL history at the time and remains San Jose’s franchise record. The contract had mixed results, as he won the Norris Trophy in 2023 with a historic 101-point season, becoming the first defenseman to reach 100 points in over 30 years.
However, the Sharks missed the playoffs in all four years of his tenure. San Jose traded him to Pittsburgh in August 2023, retaining $1.5M annually to facilitate the deal.
David Pastrnak (Boston Bruins: 8 years, $90 Million)
Pastrnak has been one of the Bruins’ most consistent forwards in recent years, with a career high of 106 points last season. For his continued consistency, the winger was locked in by the Bruins with an eight-year deal in 2023 with an AAV of $11.25 million. With this, he will remain in Boston until 2031.
Rasmus Dahlin (Buffalo Sabres: 8 Years, $88 Million)
The current captain of the Sabres has been one of the best defensemen in the league and plays a significant role in the Sabres’ offensive production. With 50+ points in each of his last four seasons, the D-man was offered an eight-year extension with an AAV of $11 million.
Drew Doughty (Los Angeles Kings: 8 Years, $88 Million)
Doughty has long been one of the Kings’ cornerstones, helping the franchise win two Stanley Cups and even winning the Norris Trophy in 2016. For his long service, the D-man was given a contract extension worth $11 million annually in 2018, which would keep him in LA till 2027.
Vincent Lecavalier (Tampa Bay Lightning: 11 Years, $85 Million)
Signed in 2008, Lecavalier’s 11-year, $85 million contract remains the largest in Lightning franchise history. The deal rewarded the franchise captain who led Tampa Bay to its 2004 Stanley Cup championship.
Despite the Lightning’s recent dynasty featuring stars like Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov, and Victor Hedman, who won back-to-back championships in 2020 and 2021, no player has surpassed Lecavalier’s total contract value, making it one of the NHL’s most enduring franchise records.
Jonathan Huberdeau (Calgary Flames: 8 years, $84 Million)
Signed on August 4, 2022, immediately after being acquired from Florida in the blockbuster Tkachuk trade, Huberdeau’s eight-year, $84 million extension ($10.5M AAV) remains the richest contract in Flames franchise history.
The deal was a statement of commitment from Calgary to their new star forward, who had just posted a career-high 115 points with the Panthers.
Patrick Kane/Jonathan Toews (Chicago Blackhawks: 8 Years, $84 Million each)
Signed on July 9, 2014, Kane and Toews received identical eight-year, $84 million contracts ($10.5M AAV) that remain the richest in Blackhawks franchise history.
The matching deals rewarded the core of Chicago’s dynasty after winning two Stanley Cups together in 2010 and 2013, with a third championship following in 2015.
Carey Price (Montreal Canadiens: 8 Years, $84 Million)
Signed on July 2, 2017, Price’s eight-year, $84 million contract ($10.5M AAV) remains the largest in the Canadiens’ franchise history. The deal made the former Hart and Vezina Trophy winner the highest-paid goaltender in NHL history at the time, rewarding his status as Montreal’s franchise cornerstone.
Aleksander Barkov (Florida Panthers: 8 Years, $80 Million)
Signed on October 8, 2021, Barkov’s eight-year, $80 million contract ($10M AAV) remains the largest in the Panthers’ franchise history. The deal locked up Florida’s captain and two-way superstar before he could reach free agency, rewarding the 2021 Selke Trophy winner for his performances.
He eventually led the Panthers to back-to-back Stanley Cup titles in 2024 and 2025.
Sebastian Aho (Carolina Hurricanes: 8 Years, $78 Million)
Signed in 2023, Aho’s eight-year, $78 million contract ($9.75M AAV) is the largest in the Hurricanes franchise history. The deal secured Carolina’s offensive leader and top center through his prime years, rewarding consistent excellence since his 2016 debut.
Mathew Barzal (New York Islanders: 8 Years, $73.2 Million)
Signed in 2022, Barzal’s eight-year, $73.2 million contract ($9.15M AAV) is the largest in Islanders franchise history. The deal locked up the dynamic playmaker just before the start of the 2022-23 season, securing the 2018 Calder Trophy winner, who has been the team’s offensive catalyst since his debut.
Henrik Zetterberg (Detroit Red Wings: 12 Years, $73 Million)
Signed on January 28, 2009, Zetterberg’s 12-year, $73 million contract remains the largest in Red Wings franchise history. The deal rewarded the Swedish star who captained Detroit and was instrumental in their 2008 Stanley Cup championship, earning the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.
Anaheim Ducks: Corey Perry (8 Years, $69 Million)
Signed on March 18, 2013, Perry’s eight-year, $69 million contract ($8.625M AAV) currently stands as the largest active deal in the Ducks franchise history. The contract rewarded the 2011 Hart Trophy winner, who was instrumental in Anaheim’s 2007 Stanley Cup championship.
However, this record will be short-lived as defenseman Jackson LaCombe signed an eight-year, $72 million extension ($9M AAV) on October 2, 2025, that will become the new franchise record when it begins in 2026-27.
Travis Konecny (Philadelphia Flyers: 8 Years, $70 Million)
Signed on July 25, 2024, Konecny’s eight-year, $70 million contract ($8.75M AAV) is the largest in Flyers franchise history. The deal locked up the high-energy winger who has developed into Philadelphia’s most consistent offensive threat, coming off a career-high 68 points in 2023-24.
Johnny Gaudreau (Columbus Blue Jackets: 7 Years, $68.25 Million)
Signed on July 13, 2022, Gaudreau’s seven-year, $68.25 million contract ($9.75M AAV) remains the largest in Blue Jackets franchise history. Tragically, Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were killed by a drunk driver on August 29, 2024, just days before his sister’s wedding.
The loss shocked the hockey world and left the Blue Jackets organization mourning their star player, whose contract stands as a stark reminder of the franchise’s biggest signing and the immense talent lost far too soon.
Tim Stützle (Ottawa Senators: 8 Years, $66.8 Million)
Signed on September 7, 2022, Stützle’s eight-year, $66.8 million contract ($8.35M AAV) is the largest in the Senators’ franchise history. The deal locked up the third overall pick from the 2020 draft before his entry-level contract expired, betting on the German star’s immense potential after back-to-back seasons of steady improvement.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson (Utah Mammoth: 8 Years, $66 Million)
Signed in 2018, Ekman-Larsson’s eight-year, $66 million contract ($8.25M AAV) remains the largest in franchise history for the organization formerly known as the Arizona Coyotes.
Despite the franchise’s relocation to Utah and rebranding as the Mammoth, no player has surpassed this contract total.
Jordan Kyrou/Robert Thomas (St. Louis Blues: 8 Years, $65 Million each)
Signed within two months of each other in 2022, both players received identical eight-year, $65 million contracts ($8.125M AAV) that remain tied as the largest in Blues franchise history. The matching deals secured two young offensive stars who were instrumental in St. Louis’s 2019 Stanley Cup championship run.
Connor Hellebuyck/Mark Scheifele (Winnipeg Jets: 7 Years, $59.5 Million each)
Signed in 2023, Hellebuyck and Scheifele received identical seven-year, $59.5 million contracts ($8.5M AAV) that currently stand as the largest active deals in the Jets franchise history. However, this record will be shattered when Kyle Connor’s eight-year, $96 million extension ($12M AAV) begins in 2026-27.
Matty Beniers/Brandon Montour (Seattle Kraken: 7 Years, $50 Million each)
As the NHL’s newest franchise, the Kraken have matching seven-year, $50 million contracts ($7.14M AAV) as their largest deals. Beniers, the second overall pick in 2021 and 2023 Calder Trophy winner, signed his extension on August 20, 2024, locking up the franchise’s first homegrown star.