This story appeared on hockeysverige.se this week and has been translated from Swedish to English.
The NHL salary cap is set at $95.5 million for the 2025–26 season. If that same cap had applied to the Olympics, the top nations wouldn’t even have been able to fit their forwards under the limit.
So how much are the NHL players on each Olympic roster actually worth? Here’s a breakdown of the countries — from top to bottom.
Goaltenders
Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets — $8.5 million
Jake Oettinger, Dallas Stars — $8.25 million
Jeremy Swayman, Boston Bruins — $8.25 million
Total: $25.0 million
There is broad consensus that the United States has the strongest goaltending group at the Olympics. In fact, all three selected goalies would have had a strong chance to be the No. 1 netminder for virtually every other nation in the tournament. That’s how good this trio looks on paper
It therefore comes as no surprise that this is also, by a wide margin, the highest-paid goaltending unit. All three American goalies earn more than $8 million per season, making them the three highest-paid goaltenders in the tournament. The closest challenger is Juuse Saros at $7.74 million.
Defensemen
Total: $58.155 million
The U.S. blueline is the strongest on paper, and the payroll reflects that. This is the most expensive defense corps in the tournament, edging out both Canada and Sweden.
This is despite the fact that high-paid defenseman Seth Jones declined to participate and was replaced by Jackson LaCombe. While LaCombe has signed a massive $9 million AAV contract starting next season, he is still earning his rookie salary of $925,000 this year.
Zach Werenski is the highest-paid U.S. defenseman, but he is far from the only star on this unit. Virtually the entire American blueline consists of players who log first-pair minutes for their NHL teams, and that clearly shows on the salary sheet. In pure dollars this season, however, Charlie McAvoy is actually the top earner.
Forwards
Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs — $13.25 million
Jack Eichel, Vegas Golden Knights — $10.0 million
Matthew Tkachuk, Florida Panthers — $9.5 million
Jake Guentzel, Tampa Bay Lightning — $9.0 million
Dylan Larkin, Detroit Red Wings — $8.7 million
Brady Tkachuk, Ottawa Senators — $8.21 million
Jack Hughes, New Jersey Devils — $8.0 million
J.T. Miller, New York Rangers — $8.0 million
Brock Nelson, Colorado Avalanche — $7.5 million
Clayton Keller, Utah Mammoth — $7.15 million
Kyle Connor, Winnipeg Jets — $7.14 million
Tage Thompson, Buffalo Sabres — $7.14 million
Matt Boldy, Minnesota Wild — $7.0 million
Vincent Trocheck, New York Rangers — $5.625 million
Total: $116.215 million
This is not the highest-paid forward group in the tournament — Canada edges the U.S. by a small margin. But the difference is minimal, far smaller than one might expect.
Looking at the names, it’s no surprise that the Americans are right there with Canada. The U.S. has two of the ten highest-paid forwards in the entire tournament, both earning $10 million or more, and Auston Matthews carries the second-highest cap hit in the NHL this season.
Unlike Canada, the U.S. does not have any forwards on entry-level contracts bringing the total down. Vincent Trocheck, at $5.625 million, has the lowest cap hit among American forwards — the highest “floor salary” of any nation in the tournament.
Total (USA): $199.37 million
The United States’ total cap hit is almost exactly $200 million — more than double the NHL salary cap. That says a lot about the star power of the roster they’re bringing to the 2026 Olympics.
One could argue that this is the best and most star-studded U.S. team ever assembled. Most observers agree they have the best goaltending and defensive units in the tournament — and the forward group is hardly lacking star quality either.
Still, it may come as a slight surprise that the U.S. roster is actually worth more than Canada’s.
Goaltenders
Total: $17.1 million
Goaltending has been highlighted as Canada’s weakness, yet they still have the second-most valuable goaltending group in the tournament — with Finland right on their heels.
Canada still brings three NHL starters to the Olympics, but compared to the legendary goaltending depth they had from 1998 to 2014, the difference is obvious. Back then, they could choose from superstars like Patrick Roy, Martin Brodeur and Curtis Joseph (1998), Brodeur, Joseph and Ed Belfour (2002), or Roberto Luongo, Brodeur and Marc-André Fleury (2010). The era of Carey Price as a clear-cut superstar (2014) is also gone.
That shift is reflected in the salaries: none of Canada’s current goalies are among the very highest earners. That said, both Kuemper and Thompson have played at a world-class level at times over the past two seasons, and Binnington was outstanding when it mattered at the 4 Nations tournament.
Still, they trail the U.S. by a significant margin.
Defensemen
Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings — $11.0 million
Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche — $9.0 million
Shea Theodore, Vegas Golden Knights — $7.425 million
Devon Toews, Colorado Avalanche — $7.25 million
Colton Parayko, St. Louis Blues — $6.5 million
Josh Morrissey, Winnipeg Jets — $6.25 million
Travis Sanheim, Philadelphia Flyers — $6.25 million
Thomas Harley, Dallas Stars — $4.0 million
Total: $57.675 million
Drew Doughty was already part of Canada’s Olympic gold-winning team in Vancouver in 2010. Sixteen years later, he’s not only still on the roster — he’s also the highest-paid defenseman on the team. Granted, it’s a contract he signed quite some time ago, but it still says something.
This blueline sits just behind the United States in total salary, and it’s worth noting that the U.S. has a defenseman on an entry-level contract. In Canada’s case, Thomas Harley is the lowest-paid defenseman at $4 million. Still, the overall star power and elite edge — offensively and defensively — is not quite on the same level as the American unit, with the notable exception of the Toews–Makar pairing.
Interestingly, the Canadian defensemen with the highest cap hits this season are Evan Bouchard and Noah Dobson — neither of whom made the Olympic roster. That alone speaks volumes about the depth of talent available.
Forwards
Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche — $12.6 million
Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers — $12.5 million
Mitch Marner, Vegas Golden Knights — $12.0 million
Brayden Point, Tampa Bay Lightning — $9.5 million
Mark Stone, Vegas Golden Knights — $9.5 million
Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins — $8.7 million
Sam Reinhart, Florida Panthers — $8.625 million
Bo Horvat, New York Islanders — $8.5 million
Sam Bennett, Florida Panthers — $8.0 million
Nick Suzuki, Montreal Canadiens — $7.875 million
Brandon Hagel, Tampa Bay Lightning — $6.5 million
Tom Wilson, Washington Capitals — $6.5 million
Brad Marchand, Florida Panthers — $5.25 million
Macklin Celebrini, San Jose Sharks — $975,000
Total: $116.775 million
This is the most star-studded position group of any team at the Olympics — without question. Superstars are everywhere you look. And the forward group is worth just slightly more than the U.S. unit, despite Macklin Celebrini playing on an entry-level contract.
Nathan MacKinnon has the highest annual cap hit of any player in the tournament, both in terms of this season’s salary and total cap hit. Connor McDavid is right behind him, with Mitch Marner also clearing the $12 million mark — a strong indicator of their standing in the NHL.
It’s also worth noting that Sidney Crosby, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and still the face of Canadian hockey, ranks “only” sixth among Canadian forwards in internal salary.
Total (Canada): $191.55 million
Yes, Canada’s roster is also worth more than double the NHL salary cap. The forward group alone earns well above the league’s $95.5 million ceiling — which is almost absurd. But given the names involved, it makes perfect sense.
That said, the United States still edges Canada by a few million dollars in total value. And the difference is almost entirely found in goal. Among skaters, the two teams are eerily close.
All three American goaltenders earn more than their Canadian counterparts and would almost certainly have been the No. 1 option for the Maple Leaf had they been born on the other side of the border.
Goaltenders
Jacob Markström, New Jersey Devils — $6.0 million
Filip Gustavsson, Minnesota Wild — $3.75 million
Jesper Wallstedt, Minnesota Wild — $2.2 million
Total: $11.95 million
Sweden has the third-most expensive roster at the Olympics overall, but ranks only fifth at the goaltending position. That said, Filip Gustavsson will increase his salary by $3 million per year starting next season, and Jesper Wallstedt will likely see an even larger raise next year.
Jacob Markström remains one of the higher-paid goaltenders in the tournament, while both Minnesota goalies are currently earning well below their market value. In fact, Sweden’s highest-paid goalie is Linus Ullmark. Had he been selected instead of Wallstedt, Sweden would have had the second-most expensive goaltending group.
Defensemen
Erik Karlsson, Pittsburgh Penguins — $11.5 million
Rasmus Dahlin, Buffalo Sabres — $11.0 million
Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning — $8.0 million
Hampus Lindholm, Boston Bruins — $6.5 million
Gustav Forsling, Florida Panthers — $5.75 million
Philip Broberg, St. Louis Blues — $4.58 million
Rasmus Andersson, Vegas Golden Knights — $4.55 million
Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Toronto Maple Leafs — $3.5 million
Total: $53.38 million
Sweden is a clear third here. Together with Canada and the United States, they operate on a completely different level than the rest of the field. Fourth-ranked Finland barely reaches half of Tre Kronor’s value on defense, which says a lot about the gap between the top three nations and the rest.
Erik Karlsson and Rasmus Dahlin are not only the two highest-paid Swedish players, but — along with Drew Doughty — also two of the highest cap hits among all NHL defensemen. They stand out clearly within the Swedish roster, followed by a fairly steep drop to Victor Hedman and then Hampus Lindholm.
That said, Forsling, Ekman-Larsson, and Andersson are all currently playing on contracts well below their true market value.
Forwards
Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks — $11.6 million
William Nylander, Toronto Maple Leafs — $11.5 million
Mika Zibanejad, New York Rangers — $8.5 million
Filip Forsberg, Nashville Predators — $8.5 million
Lucas Raymond, Detroit Red Wings — $8.075 million
Jesper Bratt, New Jersey Devils — $7.875 million
Elias Lindholm, Boston Bruins — $7.75 million
Gabriel Landeskog, Colorado Avalanche — $7.0 million
Adrian Kempe, Los Angeles Kings — $5.5 million
Joel Eriksson Ek, Minnesota Wild — $5.25 million
Alexander Wennberg, San Jose Sharks — $5.0 million
Rickard Rakell, Pittsburgh Penguins — $5.0 million
Pontus Holmberg, Tampa Bay Lightning — $1.55 million
Marcus Johansson, Minnesota Wild — $800,000
Total: $92.55 million
Tre Kronor’s forward group sits just below the NHL’s total salary cap. Had William Karlsson been healthy, Sweden would have been above that mark.
The highest-paid players are Elias Pettersson and William Nylander, both among the NHL’s top earners. They are followed by Mika Zibanejad and Filip Forsberg, who are tied around 50th in NHL cap hits. Sweden therefore has only two truly elite, top-tier earners among its forwards.
Leo Carlsson would obviously have been the lowest-paid player had he been selected, as he is on an entry-level contract, but he was replaced by Marcus Johansson, who now holds that distinction. Johansson is playing on a deal far below his actual value, which naturally pulls down Sweden’s total roster value. That said, regardless of Johansson’s contract, Sweden would still trail the U.S. and Canada by a significant margin.
Total (Sweden): $167.88 million
Sweden is a clear third overall and is actually closer to the United States than to Finland below them. The roster features several of the world’s highest-paid players at their respective positions, along with a large group of players in the middle salary tier. There are very few players on truly low-cost contracts — essentially only Johansson and Holmberg.
Put simply, Sweden has a roster filled with high-status players.
Goaltenders
Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators — $7.74 million
Kevin Lankinen, Vancouver Canucks — $4.5 million
Joonas Korpisalo, Boston Bruins — $4.0 million
Total: $16.24 million
Finland was forced to make a change at the goaltending position. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen declined to participate and was replaced by Joonas Korpisalo, which lowered the team’s total value by $750,000. However, it did not affect Finland’s position in the goalie salary rankings — they would have ranked third regardless.
They are also not far behind Canada, and as mentioned earlier, Saros is the highest-paid goaltender at the Olympics outside of the three Americans.
That said, the question remains whether Saros is the undisputed starter. Kevin Lankinen actually took over the No. 1 role during the 4 Nations tournament. However, Saros has been clearly superior to Lankinen over the course of the season.
Defensemen
Miro Heiskanen, Dallas Stars — $8.45 million
Esa Lindell, Dallas Stars — $5.25 million
Rasmus Ristolainen, Philadelphia Flyers — $5.1 million
Olli Määttä, Utah Mammoth — $3.5 million
Henri Jokiharju, Boston Bruins — $3.0 million
Niko Mikkola, Florida Panthers — $2.5 million
Nikolas Matinpalo, Ottawa Senators — $875,000
Total: $28.675 million
This unit is almost entirely about one player: Miro Heiskanen. Finland’s only truly elite defenseman missed the 4 Nations tournament, and now that he is back, everything naturally revolves around him. He is likely the only Finnish defenseman who would have cracked the lineup for Sweden, the U.S., or Canada.
His superior status is clearly reflected in his contract, as he earns more than $3 million per year more than Esa Lindell, who ranks second among Finnish defensemen.
Overall, this is a Finnish blueline that lacks elite depth. Finland’s defensemen earn roughly half as much as Sweden’s. It should be noted that Mikko Lehtonen is not included here since he plays in Switzerland, but his salary would have barely moved the needle anyway.
Forwards
Mikko Rantanen, Dallas Stars — $12.0 million
Sebastian Aho, Carolina Hurricanes — $9.75 million
Roope Hintz, Dallas Stars — $8.45 million
Mikael Granlund, Anaheim Ducks — $7.0 million
Teuvo Teräväinen, Chicago Blackhawks — $5.4 million
Anton Lundell, Florida Panthers — $5.0 million
Kaapo Kakko, Seattle Kraken — $4.525 million
Artturi Lehkonen, Colorado Avalanche — $4.5 million
Eeli Tolvanen, Seattle Kraken — $3.475 million
Erik Haula, Nashville Predators — $3.15 million
Eetu Luostarinen, Florida Panthers — $3.0 million
Joel Armia, Los Angeles Kings — $2.5 million
Joel Kiviranta, Colorado Avalanche — $1.25 million
Oliver Kapanen, Montreal Canadiens — $925,000
Total: $70.925 million
Every forward on Finland’s roster plays in the NHL, yet the total cap hit is still roughly $20 million lower than Sweden’s. Given the overall quality of the roster, that feels reasonable — at least on paper.
That said, Finland does have Mikko Rantanen, who ranks fifth in the NHL salary cap standings. He is one of only six NHL forwards earning $12 million or more, placing him just ahead of Pettersson and Nylander. With Aleksander Barkov absent, Rantanen is clearly Finland’s biggest offensive star.
Sebastian Aho’s near-$10 million salary is also notable, and Roope Hintz is very well compensated as well — he would rank in the upper half even among Swedish forwards.
Total (Finland): $115.84 million
In terms of NHL salaries, Finland is roughly as far behind Sweden in third place as they are ahead of Czechia in fifth. They are essentially isolated in fourth place, which feels appropriate given the absence of Russia.
Aleksander Barkov would have significantly increased Finland’s total value, but even with him, they would still have trailed Tre Kronor by a wide margin.
Finland’s roster includes a large number of players earning salaries typical of a third defensive pair or a third- or fourth-line role in the NHL.
Goaltenders
Lukáš Dostál, Anaheim Ducks — $6.5 million
Karel Vejmelka, Utah Mammoth — $4.75 million
Dan Vladar, Philadelphia Flyers — $3.35 million
Total: $14.6 million
This is the only position where Czechia has an all-NHL group — and here they actually rank ahead of Sweden in total contract value. Lukáš Dostál is the highest-paid of the three and is also the likely starter in the tournament, although both Vladar and Vejmelka are having solid NHL seasons.
Czechia has a long tradition of strong goaltending, and while they don’t have a Dominik Hašek to throw into the mix, this is likely their strongest position relative to the competition.
Defensemen
Filip Hronek, Vancouver Canucks — $7.25 million
Radko Gudas, Anaheim Ducks — $4.0 million
David Špaček, Minnesota Wild — $862,500
Total: $12.113 million
Czechia only carries three defensemen in its Olympic roster, and it should be noted that Špaček is not even a full-time NHL regular — which is clearly reflected in his contract. It stands out that the goaltenders earn more than the defensemen.
And once we get to the forwards, we’ll see that David Pastrňák alone earns almost as much as Czechia’s entire blueline.
Filip Hronek is, unsurprisingly, the clear top earner on defense. In fact, only two players on the entire Czech roster earn more than the Vancouver defenseman.
Forwards
David Pastrňák, Boston Bruins — $11.25 million
Tomáš Hertl, Vegas Golden Knights — $8.137 million
Martin Nečas, Colorado Avalanche — $6.5 million
Ondřej Palát, New York Islanders — $6.0 million
Radek Faksa, Dallas Stars — $2.0 million
David Kämpf, Vancouver Canucks — $1.1 million
Total: $34.987 million
Czechia doesn’t have the deepest forward group in the Olympics. But the top-end talent is very comparable to that of Sweden and Finland — something clearly reflected in the salary figures.
Following Pavel Zacha’s withdrawal, Czechia still has six solid NHL forwards on the roster, four of whom earn $6 million or more per year. Three of them can reasonably be considered world-class players.
Pastrňák is, of course, the clear top earner. He is one of the greatest players in Czech hockey history and ranks 12th in the NHL in terms of cap hit. Looking specifically at this season’s actual salary, he ranks even higher — ninth overall at $12.5 million.
Total (Czechia): $61.7 million
Czechia is a clear fifth in this ranking. They are, however, much closer to sixth and seventh place than they are to the top four nations.
This is largely due to the fact that they have significantly fewer NHL players than most other teams. Only four nations at the Olympics have rosters where all or nearly all players compete in the NHL. Czechia sits at roughly half a roster.
The star power they had in the late 1990s and throughout much of the 2000s is no longer there.
Goaltenders
Akira Schmid, Vegas Golden Knights — $875,000
Total: $875,000
One of Switzerland’s three goaltenders at the Olympics plays in the NHL, and we’ll see whether he also ends up being the starter. That’s likely, but not guaranteed.
As you can see, Schmid is earning close to the NHL minimum salary this season.
Defensemen
Roman Josi, Nashville Predators — $9.059 million
Jonas Siegenthaler, New Jersey Devils — $3.4 million
Janis Moser, Tampa Bay Lightning — $3.375 million
Total: $15.834 million
With Lian Bichsel injured and not expected to return until just after the Olympic break, Switzerland only has three NHL defensemen on its Olympic roster. That said, they are relatively well compensated — and Roman Josi is, in fact, one of the highest-paid defensemen in the entire tournament.
It should also be noted that Janis Moser has signed a new contract that will pay him $6.75 million per year for eight years starting next season.
Forwards
Timo Meier, New Jersey Devils — $8.8 million
Kevin Fiala, Los Angeles Kings — $7.875 million
Nico Hischier, New Jersey Devils — $7.25 million
Pius Suter, St. Louis Blues — $4.125 million
Nino Niederreiter, Winnipeg Jets — $4.0 million
Philipp Kurashev, San Jose Sharks — $1.2 million
Total: $33.25 million
Switzerland doesn’t have many NHL forwards, but those they do have are largely high-profile players. Timo Meier is the top earner at $8.8 million per year, though one could argue that Fiala and Hischier are the true centerpiece stars.
Still, Switzerland trails Czechia by a fair margin here.
Total (Switzerland): $49.959 million
Switzerland comes in at roughly $50 million — just over half of the NHL salary cap. And that’s worth remembering, given that fewer than half of the players on the roster compete in the world’s top league.
Goaltender
Philipp Grubauer, Seattle Kraken — $5.9 million
Germany has a solid goaltending tradition in the NHL, and fittingly, Philipp Grubauer has rebounded with a strong season. As a result, Germany will once again have a reliable goaltender at the Olympics.
At $5.9 million, Grubauer is among the higher-paid starting goaltenders in the tournament.
Defensemen
Moritz Seider, Detroit Red Wings — $8.55 million
Total: $8.55 million
Germany has only one NHL defenseman — but it’s a significant one. Moritz Seider is now a bona fide world star, and his paycheck reflects that.
Few countries in this tournament have a top defenseman as strong as Germany’s. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him play 30 minutes per game.
At $8.55 million, Seider is one of the highest-paid defensemen in the tournament.
Forwards
Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers — $14.0 million
Tim Stützle, Ottawa Senators — $8.35 million
JJ Peterka, Utah Mammoth — $7.7 million
Nico Sturm, Minnesota Wild — $2.0 million
Lukas Reichel, Vancouver Canucks — $1.2 million
Josh Samanski, Edmonton Oilers — $975,000
Total: $34.225 million
Here he is: the highest-paid player in the NHL. Kirill Kaprizov will pass him next season, but for now, Leon Draisaitl tops the league — both in cap hit ($14 million) and in actual salary this season, where he earns $16.5 million.
But it’s not just Draisaitl. Both Stützle and Peterka are also very well paid, hovering around the $8 million mark. Germany does have three additional NHL forwards, but they don’t move the total value significantly.
Still, Germany’s forwards actually earn more than Switzerland’s.
Total (Germany): $48.675 million
Germany has at least one well-paid player at every position, and they rank ahead of Switzerland at both goaltender and forward. However, Seider is a bit too alone on the blueline, which drags down the overall value.
All told, Germany comes in about $1 million behind Switzerland.
Goaltenders
Frederik Andersen, Carolina Hurricanes — $2.75 million
Mads Søgaard, Ottawa Senators — $775,000
Total: $3.5 million
Denmark actually has two NHL goaltenders — plus Frederik Dichow. It’s a goaltending group that holds up reasonably well in international comparison.
That said, Søgaard is not an established NHL regular and moves between leagues, while Andersen is no longer the world-class goaltender he once was — something reflected in his salary. There was a time when he earned at least twice what he does now.
Defensemen
Forwards
Nikolaj Ehlers, Carolina Hurricanes — $8.5 million
Oliver Bjorkstrand, Tampa Bay Lightning — $5.4 million
Lars Eller, Ottawa Senators — $1.25 million
Oscar Fisker Mølgaard, Seattle Kraken — $891,666
Total: $16.07 million
Denmark has three forwards who are regular NHL players and two who move between leagues. Unfortunately, one of them — Jonas Røndbjerg — was forced to withdraw just before the tournament.
The clear superstar is Nikolaj Ehlers, who also earns by far the most. Oliver Bjorkstrand is also well compensated. That said, Denmark’s biggest hockey icon may still be Lars Eller, who became the first Dane to win the Stanley Cup in 2018 — though his cap hit no longer reflects star status.
Total (Denmark): $19.57 million
Denmark doesn’t quite reach the $20 million mark. They are, of course, well behind the seven medal contenders — but still enter the tournament ranked seventh, which feels refreshing in its own way.
And Nikolaj Ehlers would be among the highest-paid players on every roster except those of the United States and Canada.
Slovakia
Goaltender
Samuel Hlavaj, Minnesota Wild — $875,000
Hlavaj hasn’t played in the NHL, and since he is based in the AHL, he will not actually earn $875,000. However, since this analysis is based on cap hits rather than actual salary, that figure is still used here.
Hlavaj was Slovakia’s starting goaltender in Olympic qualifying and in recent World Championships, and he is likely to be the choice again at the Olympics.
Defensemen
Erik Černák, Tampa Bay Lightning — $5.2 million
Martin Fehérváry, Washington Capitals — $2.675 million
Šimon Nemec, New Jersey Devils — $918,330
Total: $8.793 million
Slovakia has three NHL defensemen, with Erik Černák clearly leading the way financially. He recently signed a new eight-year deal with an average annual value of $5.2 million.
Fehérváry also signed a major new contract this summer — seven years at $6 million per season — but it doesn’t kick in until next season. For now, he remains at $2.675 million.
Nemec is also due for a massive extension after the season, having had a strong year in New Jersey while still playing on his entry-level deal.
Slovakia’s defensemen earn more than Germany’s, but less than Switzerland’s. Had this analysis been done this summer, Slovakia would likely have ranked ahead of Switzerland as well.
Forwards
Juraj Slafkovský, Montreal Canadiens — $7.6 million
Martin Pospíšil, Calgary Flames — $1.0 million
Dalibor Dvorský, St. Louis Blues — $886,666
Pavol Regenda, San Jose Sharks — $775,000
Total: $10.261 million
This clearly illustrates the decline Slovakia has gone through in recent years. Once a nation overflowing with star forwards, Slafkovský is now the only Slovak forward making a real impact in the NHL — something reflected in the salaries.
The other three forwards earn $1 million or less, while Slafkovský alone earns $7.6 million.
Total (Slovakia): $19.93 million
It’s striking that the proud hockey nation of Slovakia doesn’t even reach $20 million — roughly one-tenth of the totals for the United States and Canada.
Denmark’s Olympic roster is actually worth more than Slovakia’s.
Goaltenders
Elvis Merzļikins, Columbus Blue Jackets — $5.4 million
Artūrs Šilovs, Pittsburgh Penguins — $850,000
Total: $6.25 million
Latvia has always produced strong goaltenders dating back to the Artūrs Irbe era, and it has almost become tradition for a Latvian goalie to stand on his head in a major tournament and nearly upset a powerhouse nation.
In Sochi, that was Kristers Gudļevskis — who is also on the roster this time, though he is likely to be the third goaltender. Merzļikins is clearly the most established option, even if he isn’t a lock as the starter.
Defensemen
Uvis Balinskis, Florida Panthers — $850,000
Total: $850,000
Latvia has several NHL players, but only one defenseman — and he earns close to the league minimum, as do many of their forwards.
Forwards
Teddy Blueger, Vancouver Canucks — $1.8 million
Anri Ravinskis, Vancouver Canucks — $872,500
Dans Ločmelis, Boston Bruins — $860,000
Sandis Vilmanis, Florida Panthers — $855,000
Zemgus Girgensons, Tampa Bay Lightning — $850,000
Total: $5.237 million
In terms of quantity, Latvia holds up well compared to other Olympic teams. But as the salaries show, all of these players earn at the very low end of the NHL scale, which reflects their current status in the league.
That said, several of them are young and could sign much more lucrative contracts in the future. Many also sit right on the NHL–AHL bubble.
Total (Latvia): $12.337 million
Latvia is well behind Slovakia, but also well ahead of France. Elvis Merzļikins is the only player with a truly competitive NHL salary, which keeps the overall total very low.
Forwards
Alexandre Texier, Montreal Canadiens — $1.0 million
Total: $1.0 million
France has a single NHL player on its Olympic roster — Alexandre Texier — with a cap hit of exactly $1 million.
Well, at least it’s more than Italy, right?
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