NHL · POSITION · 1 OF 5
Center career earnings
$8,367,669,070 across 314 careers, led by Sidney Crosby on $155,890,244.
Every NHL career filed at this position, ranked by total contract money. It comes to 31.7% of the money on record, at an average of $26,648,628 a career.
CAREER MONEY $8.37bn
PER CAREER $26.6m
CAREERS 314
SHARE OF LEAGUE 31.7%
RANK 1 of 5
Center at a glance
What the position has been paid
- Career money
- $8,367,669,070
- Careers
- 314
- Per career
- $26,648,628
- Paid through 2026-27
- $8,039,215,499
- Still to be paid
- $328,453,571
- Rank
- 1 of 5 positions
The fifteen richest Center careers
Total contract money, 1997 to 2030
Every Center career
Ranked by total contract money
| # | Player | Franchise | Seasons | Span | Still owed | Career earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Sidney Crosby | Pittsburgh Penguins | 20 | 2005 to 2024 | - | $155,890,244$155.9m |
| 02 | Nathan MacKinnon Paid in 2026-27 | Colorado Avalanche | 18 | 2013 to 2030 | $39.6m | $153,587,500$153.6m |
| 03 | Evgeni Malkin | Pittsburgh Penguins | 20 | 2006 to 2025 | - | $151,670,893$151.7m |
| 04 | Anze Kopitar | Los Angeles Kings | 19 | 2005 to 2023 | - | $129,250,000$129.2m |
| 05 | Aleksander Barkov Paid in 2026-27 | Florida Panthers | 17 | 2013 to 2029 | $22.4m | $118,387,500$118.4m |
| 06 | Steven Stamkos | Tampa Bay Lightning | 16 | 2008 to 2023 | - | $116,675,000$116.7m |
| 07 | Tyler Seguin Paid in 2026-27 | Dallas Stars | 17 | 2010 to 2026 | - | $116,000,000$116.0m |
| 08 | Nicklas Backstrom | Washington Capitals | 18 | 2007 to 2024 | - | $115,550,000$115.5m |
| 09 | Joe Thornton | Florida Panthers | 24 | 1997 to 2021 | - | $111,541,561$111.5m |
| 10 | John Tavares | Toronto Maple Leafs | 16 | 2009 to 2024 | - | $111,041,463$111.0m |
| 11 | Jonathan Toews | Chicago Blackhawks | 15 | 2007 to 2022 | - | $109,062,195$109.1m |
| 12 | Brad Richards | Detroit Red Wings | 24 | 2000 to 2025 | - | $107,412,116$107.4m |
| 13 | Filip Forsberg Paid in 2026-27 | Nashville Predators | 18 | 2012 to 2029 | $20.5m | $106,893,910$106.9m |
| 14 | Connor McDavid | Edmonton Oilers | 11 | 2015 to 2025 | - | $105,625,000$105.6m |
| 15 | Mika Zibanejad Paid in 2026-27 | New York Rangers | 18 | 2011 to 2029 | $21.0m | $102,723,963$102.7m |
| 16 | Logan Couture Paid in 2026-27 | San Jose Sharks | 20 | 2007 to 2026 | - | $101,234,756$101.2m |
| 17 | Brayden Point Paid in 2026-27 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 14 | 2016 to 2029 | $22.0m | $98,235,000$98.2m |
| 18 | Claude Giroux | Ottawa Senators | 18 | 2007 to 2024 | - | $98,048,780$98.0m |
| 19 | Tomas Hertl Paid in 2026-27 | San Jose Sharks | 16 | 2014 to 2029 | $18.6m | $95,662,500$95.7m |
| 20 | Ryan Getzlaf | Anaheim Ducks | 17 | 2005 to 2021 | - | $95,471,766$95.5m |
| 21 | Patrice Bergeron | Boston Bruins | 19 | 2003 to 2022 | - | $95,284,153$95.3m |
| 22 | Matt Duchene | Nashville Predators | 17 | 2009 to 2025 | - | $94,352,439$94.4m |
| 23 | Sean Couturier Paid in 2026-27 | Philadelphia Flyers | 19 | 2011 to 2029 | $19.5m | $93,983,963$94.0m |
| 24 | Jason Spezza | Toronto Maple Leafs | 19 | 2002 to 2021 | - | $89,519,259$89.5m |
| 25 | Nazem Kadri Paid in 2026-27 | Calgary Flames | 19 | 2010 to 2028 | $14.0m | $88,124,530$88.1m |
| 26 | Eric Staal | Montreal Canadiens | 17 | 2003 to 2020 | - | $86,908,010$86.9m |
| 27 | Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Paid in 2026-27 | Edmonton Oilers | 18 | 2011 to 2028 | $7.5m | $85,775,000$85.8m |
| 28 | Paul Stastny | Carolina Hurricanes | 17 | 2006 to 2022 | - | $84,943,415$84.9m |
| 29 | Jack Eichel | Vegas Golden Knights | 11 | 2015 to 2025 | - | $82,987,500$83.0m |
| 30 | Brayden Schenn Paid in 2026-27 | St Louis Blues | 18 | 2010 to 2027 | $4.0m | $79,916,829$79.9m |
| 31 | Jeff Carter | Pittsburgh Penguins | 19 | 2005 to 2023 | - | $79,485,737$79.5m |
| 32 | Ryan Kesler | Anaheim Ducks | 17 | 2005 to 2021 | - | $77,944,000$77.9m |
| 33 | Ryan O'Reilly | St Louis Blues | 14 | 2009 to 2022 | - | $77,140,000$77.1m |
| 34 | Jordan Staal | Carolina Hurricanes | 17 | 2006 to 2022 | - | $76,684,146$76.7m |
| 35 | Joe Pavelski | Dallas Stars | 17 | 2006 to 2022 | - | $75,676,463$75.7m |
| 36 | Ryan Johansen | Nashville Predators | 13 | 2010 to 2024 | - | $75,448,387$75.4m |
| 37 | Robert Thomas Paid in 2026-27 | St Louis Blues | 13 | 2018 to 2030 | $26.4m | $73,097,500$73.1m |
| 38 | David Krejci | Boston Bruins | 16 | 2006 to 2022 | - | $71,623,171$71.6m |
| 39 | Leon Draisaitl | Edmonton Oilers | 10 | 2015 to 2024 | - | $69,756,040$69.8m |
| 40 | Evgeny Kuznetsov | Washington Capitals | 12 | 2013 to 2024 | - | $69,747,884$69.7m |
| 41 | Alexander Killorn Paid in 2026-27 | Anaheim Ducks | 15 | 2012 to 2026 | - | $68,974,695$69.0m |
| 42 | Vincent Trocheck Paid in 2026-27 | New York Rangers | 14 | 2015 to 2028 | $8.5m | $68,475,000$68.5m |
| 43 | Jack Hughes Paid in 2026-27 | New Jersey Devils | 11 | 2019 to 2029 | $21.5m | $66,775,000$66.8m |
| 44 | Mikko Koivu | Minnesota Wild | 14 | 2006 to 2019 | - | $66,133,476$66.1m |
| 45 | Anders Lee | New York Islanders | 14 | 2012 to 2025 | - | $66,044,038$66.0m |
| 46 | Nick Suzuki Paid in 2026-27 | Montreal Canadiens | 11 | 2019 to 2029 | $18.0m | $65,568,501$65.6m |
| 47 | Bryan Little | Arizona Coyotes | 17 | 2007 to 2023 | - | $63,706,098$63.7m |
| 48 | Travis Zajac | New York Islanders | 15 | 2006 to 2020 | - | $62,512,356$62.5m |
| 49 | Kevin Hayes | Philadelphia Flyers | 12 | 2014 to 2025 | - | $62,175,000$62.2m |
| 50 | Auston Matthews | Toronto Maple Leafs | 8 | 2016 to 2023 | - | $60,945,000$60.9m |
| 51 | Clayton Keller Paid in 2026-27 | Arizona Coyotes | 12 | 2016 to 2027 | $8.7m | $60,782,500$60.8m |
| 52 | Adam Henrique | Anaheim Ducks | 15 | 2009 to 2023 | - | $60,762,499$60.8m |
| 53 | David Backes | Anaheim Ducks | 15 | 2006 to 2020 | - | $59,975,122$60.0m |
| 54 | Brandon Dubinsky | Columbus Blue Jackets | 15 | 2006 to 2020 | - | $57,500,000$57.5m |
| 55 | Tage Thompson Paid in 2026-27 | Buffalo Sabres | 13 | 2017 to 2029 | $21.4m | $56,004,033$56.0m |
| 56 | William Karlsson Paid in 2026-27 | Vegas Golden Knights | 13 | 2014 to 2026 | - | $55,653,494$55.7m |
| 57 | Nico Hischier Paid in 2026-27 | New Jersey Devils | 10 | 2017 to 2026 | - | $53,525,000$53.5m |
| 58 | Ryan Strome Paid in 2026-27 | Anaheim Ducks | 16 | 2011 to 2026 | - | $53,172,492$53.2m |
| 59 | Kyle Turris Paid in 2026-27 | Edmonton Oilers | 20 | 2007 to 2027 | $2.0m | $52,686,585$52.7m |
| 60 | Mark Scheifele | Winnipeg Jets | 12 | 2011 to 2023 | - | $52,107,500$52.1m |
| 61 | Brock Nelson | New York Islanders | 13 | 2012 to 2024 | - | $50,379,329$50.4m |
| 62 | Charlie Coyle | Boston Bruins | 14 | 2012 to 2025 | - | $49,916,829$49.9m |
| 63 | Valtteri Filppula | Detroit Red Wings | 16 | 2005 to 2020 | - | $49,498,780$49.5m |
| 64 | Derek Stepan | Carolina Hurricanes | 13 | 2010 to 2022 | - | $49,454,695$49.5m |
| 65 | Mikael Granlund | Nashville Predators | 12 | 2013 to 2024 | - | $49,225,000$49.2m |
| 66 | Mikael Backlund | Calgary Flames | 16 | 2008 to 2023 | - | $48,961,890$49.0m |
| 67 | Zach Hyman Paid in 2026-27 | Edmonton Oilers | 12 | 2016 to 2027 | $3.9m | $48,425,000$48.4m |
| 68 | Sean Monahan | Calgary Flames | 10 | 2013 to 2022 | - | $48,250,000$48.2m |
| 69 | Joel Eriksson Ek Paid in 2026-27 | Minnesota Wild | 13 | 2016 to 2028 | $7.5m | $47,657,500$47.7m |
| 70 | Jesperi Kotkaniemi Paid in 2026-27 | Carolina Hurricanes | 12 | 2018 to 2029 | $15.6m | $47,406,359$47.4m |
| 71 | Tyler Johnson | Chicago Blackhawks | 11 | 2013 to 2023 | - | $45,840,000$45.8m |
| 72 | Phillip Danault Paid in 2026-27 | Los Angeles Kings | 14 | 2011 to 2026 | - | $44,695,643$44.7m |
| 73 | William Nylander | Toronto Maple Leafs | 9 | 2015 to 2023 | - | $44,486,280$44.5m |
| 74 | Frans Nielsen | Detroit Red Wings | 14 | 2008 to 2021 | - | $43,845,732$43.8m |
| 75 | Nick Schmaltz | Arizona Coyotes | 10 | 2016 to 2025 | - | $43,725,000$43.7m |
| 76 | Jean-Gabriel Pageau | New York Islanders | 13 | 2013 to 2025 | - | $42,125,390$42.1m |
| 77 | Tyler Bozak | St Louis Blues | 13 | 2009 to 2021 | - | $40,959,512$41.0m |
| 78 | Derick Brassard | Philadelphia Flyers | 15 | 2007 to 2021 | - | $39,671,707$39.7m |
| 79 | Alexander Wennberg | Seattle Kraken | 12 | 2014 to 2025 | - | $38,189,999$38.2m |
| 80 | Artem Anisimov | Ottawa Senators | 14 | 2007 to 2020 | - | $38,122,561$38.1m |
| 81 | Brandon Sutter | Vancouver Canucks | 14 | 2008 to 2021 | - | $37,595,732$37.6m |
| 82 | Elias Lindholm | Calgary Flames | 11 | 2013 to 2023 | - | $37,487,500$37.5m |
| 83 | Lars Eller | Washington Capitals | 15 | 2008 to 2022 | - | $36,298,171$36.3m |
| 84 | Bo Horvat | Vancouver Canucks | 9 | 2014 to 2022 | - | $35,895,000$35.9m |
| 85 | Casey Cizikas Paid in 2026-27 | New York Islanders | 16 | 2011 to 2026 | - | $35,892,439$35.9m |
| 86 | Craig Smith | Boston Bruins | 12 | 2011 to 2022 | - | $35,763,171$35.8m |
| 87 | Marcus Johansson | Washington Capitals | 13 | 2010 to 2022 | - | $35,516,828$35.5m |
| 88 | Blake Coleman Paid in 2026-27 | Calgary Flames | 11 | 2016 to 2026 | - | $35,300,846$35.3m |
| 89 | Sam Gagner | Detroit Red Wings | 15 | 2007 to 2021 | - | $35,248,171$35.2m |
| 90 | Teuvo Teravainen | Carolina Hurricanes | 11 | 2013 to 2023 | - | $35,054,266$35.1m |
| 91 | Martin Hanzal | Dallas Stars | 13 | 2007 to 2019 | - | $34,863,415$34.9m |
| 92 | Travis Konecny | Philadelphia Flyers | 8 | 2016 to 2024 | - | $34,850,000$34.8m |
| 93 | Sam Reinhart | Florida Panthers | 9 | 2015 to 2023 | - | $34,682,500$34.7m |
| 94 | J.T. Miller | Vancouver Canucks | 11 | 2011 to 2022 | - | $34,649,498$34.6m |
| 95 | Darren Helm | Colorado Avalanche | 16 | 2007 to 2022 | - | $33,618,500$33.6m |
| 96 | Yanni Gourde | Seattle Kraken | 9 | 2016 to 2024 | - | $33,600,000$33.6m |
| 97 | Dylan Larkin | Detroit Red Wings | 8 | 2015 to 2022 | - | $33,275,000$33.3m |
| 98 | Boone Jenner | Columbus Blue Jackets | 12 | 2012 to 2025 | - | $32,550,500$32.6m |
| 99 | Tyler Ennis | Ottawa Senators | 13 | 2009 to 2021 | - | $32,358,334$32.4m |
| 100 | Jake Guentzel | Pittsburgh Penguins | 8 | 2016 to 2023 | - | $32,202,500$32.2m |
| 101 | Jonathan Marchessault | Vegas Golden Knights | 9 | 2015 to 2023 | - | $32,100,000$32.1m |
| 102 | Pavel Zacha Paid in 2026-27 | Boston Bruins | 12 | 2015 to 2026 | - | $32,033,952$32.0m |
| 103 | Drake Batherson Paid in 2026-27 | Ottawa Senators | 9 | 2018 to 2026 | - | $30,835,988$30.8m |
| 104 | Mathieu Perreault | Montreal Canadiens | 14 | 2008 to 2021 | - | $30,660,366$30.7m |
| 105 | Nick Bonino | San Jose Sharks | 14 | 2009 to 2022 | - | $29,595,256$29.6m |
| 106 | Sam Bennett | Florida Panthers | 11 | 2014 to 2024 | - | $29,475,000$29.5m |
| 107 | Christian Dvorak | Montreal Canadiens | 9 | 2016 to 2024 | - | $29,217,500$29.2m |
| 108 | Andrew Shaw | Chicago Blackhawks | 11 | 2011 to 2021 | - | $28,925,732$28.9m |
| 109 | Nick Bjugstad | Arizona Coyotes | 10 | 2013 to 2022 | - | $28,600,000$28.6m |
| 110 | Carl Soderberg | Colorado Avalanche | 9 | 2012 to 2020 | - | $27,775,000$27.8m |
| 111 | Nicholas Paul Paid in 2026-27 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 14 | 2015 to 2028 | $5.0m | $27,188,379$27.2m |
| 112 | Alex Galchenyuk | Colorado Avalanche | 11 | 2012 to 2022 | - | $25,557,315$25.6m |
| 113 | Victor Rask | Minnesota Wild | 8 | 2014 to 2021 | - | $25,482,500$25.5m |
| 114 | Elias Pettersson | Vancouver Canucks | 6 | 2018 to 2023 | - | $24,825,000$24.8m |
| 115 | Rickard Rakell | Pittsburgh Penguins | 9 | 2013 to 2021 | - | $24,685,893$24.7m |
| 116 | Radek Faksa | Dallas Stars | 10 | 2015 to 2024 | - | $24,161,432$24.2m |
| 117 | Brandon Tanev | Seattle Kraken | 10 | 2015 to 2024 | - | $23,778,829$23.8m |
| 118 | Mathew Barzal | New York Islanders | 6 | 2016 to 2022 | - | $22,850,000$22.9m |
| 119 | Alex Iafallo | Los Angeles Kings | 8 | 2017 to 2024 | - | $22,700,000$22.7m |
| 120 | Scott Laughton | Philadelphia Flyers | 11 | 2012 to 2025 | - | $22,450,000$22.5m |
| 121 | Robby Fabbri | Detroit Red Wings | 10 | 2015 to 2024 | - | $22,407,500$22.4m |
| 122 | Leo Komarov | New York Islanders | 8 | 2012 to 2020 | - | $22,382,561$22.4m |
| 123 | Colton Sissons | Nashville Predators | 11 | 2015 to 2025 | - | $22,126,628$22.1m |
| 124 | Zack Smith | Chicago Blackhawks | 11 | 2010 to 2020 | - | $21,574,626$21.6m |
| 125 | Colin White Paid in 2026-27 | Florida Panthers | 12 | 2016 to 2027 | $875k | $21,271,604$21.3m |
| 126 | Paul Byron | Montreal Canadiens | 11 | 2012 to 2022 | - | $19,571,305$19.6m |
| 127 | Trevor Lewis | Calgary Flames | 17 | 2006 to 2022 | - | $19,252,640$19.3m |
| 128 | Vladislav Namestnikov | Tampa Bay Lightning | 9 | 2014 to 2022 | - | $19,191,559$19.2m |
| 129 | Erik Haula | Boston Bruins | 10 | 2013 to 2022 | - | $18,550,000$18.5m |
| 130 | Cody Eakin | Buffalo Sabres | 11 | 2009 to 2021 | - | $17,541,396$17.5m |
| 131 | Nate Thompson | Philadelphia Flyers | 17 | 2005 to 2021 | - | $17,009,358$17.0m |
| 132 | Cody Hodgson | Nashville Predators | 15 | 2008 to 2022 | - | $16,367,374$16.4m |
| 133 | Zemgus Girgensons | Buffalo Sabres | 11 | 2012 to 2022 | - | $16,147,500$16.1m |
| 134 | Anthony Cirelli | Tampa Bay Lightning | 6 | 2017 to 2022 | - | $16,020,561$16.0m |
| 135 | Alexander Kerfoot | Toronto Maple Leafs | 6 | 2017 to 2022 | - | $15,850,000$15.8m |
| 136 | Kyle Clifford | Toronto Maple Leafs | 15 | 2009 to 2023 | - | $15,613,049$15.6m |
| 137 | J.T Compher | Colorado Avalanche | 7 | 2016 to 2022 | - | $15,295,000$15.3m |
| 138 | Carter Verhaeghe | Florida Panthers | 6 | 2019 to 2024 | - | $15,200,000$15.2m |
| 139 | Andreas Athanasiou | Chicago Blackhawks | 8 | 2015 to 2022 | - | $15,069,961$15.1m |
| 140 | Jack Roslovic | Columbus Blue Jackets | 8 | 2016 to 2023 | - | $14,997,927$15.0m |
| 141 | Sean Kuraly | Columbus Blue Jackets | 9 | 2016 to 2024 | - | $14,842,500$14.8m |
| 142 | Derek Ryan | Edmonton Oilers | 8 | 2015 to 2022 | - | $14,500,000$14.5m |
| 143 | Chris Tierney | Ottawa Senators | 6 | 2015 to 2021 | - | $14,402,500$14.4m |
| 144 | Calle Jarnkrok | Seattle Kraken | 9 | 2013 to 2021 | - | $14,375,000$14.4m |
| 145 | Chandler Stephenson | Vegas Golden Knights | 8 | 2016 to 2023 | - | $14,208,665$14.2m |
| 146 | Riley Nash | Arizona Coyotes | 10 | 2012 to 2021 | - | $13,883,750$13.9m |
| 147 | Oskar Sundqvist | Detroit Red Wings | 8 | 2015 to 2022 | - | $13,835,000$13.8m |
| 148 | Jason Dickinson | Chicago Blackhawks | 9 | 2015 to 2023 | - | $13,220,933$13.2m |
| 149 | Ryan Dzingel | San Jose Sharks | 7 | 2015 to 2021 | - | $12,940,000$12.9m |
| 150 | Luke Glendening | Dallas Stars | 10 | 2013 to 2022 | - | $12,660,000$12.7m |
| 151 | Andrew Copp | New York Rangers | 8 | 2014 to 2021 | - | $12,222,070$12.2m |
| 152 | Mattias Janmark | Vegas Golden Knights | 7 | 2015 to 2021 | - | $11,017,500$11.0m |
| 153 | Chris Wagner | Boston Bruins | 9 | 2014 to 2022 | - | $9,757,257$9.8m |
| 154 | Casey Mittelstadt | Buffalo Sabres | 7 | 2017 to 2023 | - | $9,678,730$9.7m |
| 155 | Ivan Barbashev | St Louis Blues | 7 | 2016 to 2022 | - | $9,490,775$9.5m |
| 156 | Danton Heinen | Pittsburgh Penguins | 6 | 2016 to 2021 | - | $9,317,500$9.3m |
| 157 | Martin Necas | Carolina Hurricanes | 7 | 2017 to 2023 | - | $8,926,725$8.9m |
| 158 | Noel Acciari | St Louis Blues | 8 | 2015 to 2022 | - | $8,817,266$8.8m |
| 159 | Colton Sceviour | Edmonton Oilers | 10 | 2011 to 2021 | - | $8,675,000$8.7m |
| 160 | Devin Shore | Edmonton Oilers | 8 | 2015 to 2022 | - | $8,640,326$8.6m |
| 161 | Dillon Dube | Calgary Flames | 6 | 2018 to 2023 | - | $8,613,295$8.6m |
| 162 | Cedric Paquette | Montreal Canadiens | 8 | 2014 to 2021 | - | $8,350,000$8.4m |
| 163 | Dylan Strome | Chicago Blackhawks | 6 | 2016 to 2021 | - | $8,266,345$8.3m |
| 164 | Nic Dowd | Washington Capitals | 10 | 2015 to 2024 | - | $8,149,235$8.1m |
| 165 | Vincent Hinostroza | Buffalo Sabres | 8 | 2015 to 2022 | - | $8,134,223$8.1m |
| 166 | Tyson Jost | Buffalo Sabres | 7 | 2016 to 2022 | - | $8,119,105$8.1m |
| 167 | Nick Cousins | Florida Panthers | 8 | 2014 to 2021 | - | $7,937,902$7.9m |
| 168 | Theodor Blueger | Pittsburgh Penguins | 6 | 2017 to 2022 | - | $7,864,919$7.9m |
| 169 | Isac Lundestrom | Anaheim Ducks | 6 | 2018 to 2023 | - | $7,803,131$7.8m |
| 170 | Jordan Weal | Montreal Canadiens | 6 | 2015 to 2020 | - | $7,582,500$7.6m |
| 171 | Pius Suter | Detroit Red Wings | 3 | 2020 to 2022 | - | $7,425,000$7.4m |
| 172 | Jake Evans | Montreal Canadiens | 6 | 2019 to 2024 | - | $7,343,924$7.3m |
| 173 | Jordan Kyrou | St Louis Blues | 5 | 2018 to 2022 | - | $7,054,779$7.1m |
| 174 | Drake Caggiula | Pittsburgh Penguins | 7 | 2016 to 2022 | - | $7,043,910$7.0m |
| 175 | Brandon Pirri | Chicago Blackhawks | 11 | 2010 to 2020 | - | $6,830,114$6.8m |
| 176 | Luke Kunin | San Jose Sharks | 5 | 2017 to 2021 | - | $6,536,274$6.5m |
| 177 | David Kampf | Toronto Maple Leafs | 6 | 2017 to 2022 | - | $6,476,042$6.5m |
| 178 | Christian Fischer | Arizona Coyotes | 7 | 2016 to 2022 | - | $6,408,375$6.4m |
| 179 | Blake Lizotte | Los Angeles Kings | 6 | 2018 to 2023 | - | $6,114,880$6.1m |
| 180 | Nolan Patrick | Vegas Golden Knights | 6 | 2017 to 2022 | - | $6,049,125$6.0m |
| 181 | Mark Jankowski | Buffalo Sabres | 6 | 2016 to 2021 | - | $5,817,500$5.8m |
| 182 | Michael Rasmussen | Detroit Red Wings | 5 | 2018 to 2023 | - | $5,814,567$5.8m |
| 183 | Kevin Rooney | Calgary Flames | 8 | 2016 to 2023 | - | $5,770,928$5.8m |
| 184 | Tyler Motte | Vancouver Canucks | 6 | 2016 to 2021 | - | $5,759,845$5.8m |
| 185 | Curtis Lazar | Vancouver Canucks | 8 | 2014 to 2021 | - | $5,676,482$5.7m |
| 186 | Carter Rowney | Detroit Red Wings | 6 | 2016 to 2021 | - | $5,450,000$5.5m |
| 187 | Ryan Donato | Seattle Kraken | 4 | 2018 to 2021 | - | $5,334,784$5.3m |
| 188 | Barrett Hayton | Arizona Coyotes | 6 | 2018 to 2023 | - | $5,054,201$5.1m |
| 189 | Zach Aston-Reese | Pittsburgh Penguins | 5 | 2017 to 2021 | - | $5,031,871$5.0m |
| 190 | Alexandre Texier | Columbus Blue Jackets | 5 | 2018 to 2022 | - | $4,993,419$5.0m |
| 191 | Eetu Luostarinen | Florida Panthers | 5 | 2019 to 2023 | - | $4,903,232$4.9m |
| 192 | Ryan Carpenter | Chicago Blackhawks | 7 | 2015 to 2021 | - | $4,900,074$4.9m |
| 193 | Janne Kuokkanen | New Jersey Devils | 6 | 2017 to 2022 | - | $4,899,530$4.9m |
| 194 | Yegor Sharangovich | New Jersey Devils | 3 | 2020 to 2022 | - | $4,768,308$4.8m |
| 195 | Logan O'Connor | Colorado Avalanche | 7 | 2018 to 2024 | - | $4,716,788$4.7m |
| 196 | Brett Howden | Vegas Golden Knights | 5 | 2018 to 2022 | - | $4,699,020$4.7m |
| 197 | Matthew Peca | St Louis Blues | 6 | 2016 to 2021 | - | $4,637,651$4.6m |
| 198 | Michael Amadio | Vegas Golden Knights | 7 | 2017 to 2023 | - | $4,443,978$4.4m |
| 199 | Sam Lafferty | Chicago Blackhawks | 5 | 2019 to 2023 | - | $4,434,184$4.4m |
| 200 | Mikhail Grigorenko | Columbus Blue Jackets | 5 | 2012 to 2020 | - | $4,354,476$4.4m |
| 201 | Colin Blackwell | Chicago Blackhawks | 6 | 2018 to 2023 | - | $4,205,416$4.2m |
| 202 | Marko Dano | Winnipeg Jets | 7 | 2014 to 2020 | - | $4,161,285$4.2m |
| 203 | Frederick Gaudreau | Minnesota Wild | 6 | 2016 to 2022 | - | $4,129,675$4.1m |
| 204 | Austin Czarnik | New York Islanders | 7 | 2015 to 2021 | - | $4,124,883$4.1m |
| 205 | John Hayden | Buffalo Sabres | 6 | 2016 to 2021 | - | $3,884,512$3.9m |
| 206 | Zac Dalpe | Florida Panthers | 10 | 2010 to 2021 | - | $3,857,324$3.9m |
| 207 | Frederik Gauthier | New Jersey Devils | 7 | 2015 to 2021 | - | $3,844,858$3.8m |
| 208 | Lucas Wallmark | Florida Panthers | 5 | 2016 to 2020 | - | $3,835,820$3.8m |
| 209 | Dominik Simon | Pittsburgh Penguins | 6 | 2016 to 2021 | - | $3,772,690$3.8m |
| 210 | Greg McKegg | New York Rangers | 7 | 2015 to 2021 | - | $3,738,103$3.7m |
| 211 | Sam Carrick | Anaheim Ducks | 6 | 2018 to 2023 | - | $3,728,390$3.7m |
| 212 | Dylan Gambrell | Ottawa Senators | 5 | 2018 to 2022 | - | $3,663,508$3.7m |
| 213 | Justin Dowling | Vancouver Canucks | 6 | 2016 to 2022 | - | $3,571,751$3.6m |
| 214 | Adam Gaudette | Toronto Maple Leafs | 4 | 2018 to 2021 | - | $3,546,916$3.5m |
| 215 | Emil Bemstrom | Columbus Blue Jackets | 4 | 2019 to 2022 | - | $3,295,750$3.3m |
| 216 | Zack MacEwen | Philadelphia Flyers | 4 | 2018 to 2021 | - | $3,218,048$3.2m |
| 217 | Liam O'Brien | Arizona Coyotes | 7 | 2016 to 2023 | - | $3,180,348$3.2m |
| 218 | Kailer Yamamoto | Edmonton Oilers | 5 | 2017 to 2021 | - | $3,152,523$3.2m |
| 219 | Trent Frederic | Boston Bruins | 5 | 2018 to 2022 | - | $3,118,046$3.1m |
| 220 | Jonny Brodzinski | New York Rangers | 6 | 2016 to 2021 | - | $3,056,483$3.1m |
| 221 | Michael Mcleod | New Jersey Devils | 6 | 2017 to 2022 | - | $3,035,677$3.0m |
| 222 | Nicolas Petan | Minnesota Wild | 7 | 2015 to 2021 | - | $3,024,963$3.0m |
| 223 | Tanner Kero | Dallas Stars | 7 | 2015 to 2022 | - | $2,999,126$3.0m |
| 224 | Dominic Toninato | Winnipeg Jets | 6 | 2017 to 2022 | - | $2,879,972$2.9m |
| 225 | Lias Andersson | Los Angeles Kings | 6 | 2017 to 2022 | - | $2,828,305$2.8m |
| 226 | Dominik Kahun | Edmonton Oilers | 3 | 2018 to 2020 | - | $2,825,000$2.8m |
| 227 | Gemel Smith | Detroit Red Wings | 6 | 2017 to 2022 | - | $2,770,214$2.8m |
| 228 | Mason Appleton | Seattle Kraken | 4 | 2018 to 2021 | - | $2,716,110$2.7m |
| 229 | Quinton Byfield | Los Angeles Kings | 4 | 2020 to 2023 | - | $2,697,002$2.7m |
| 230 | Connor McMichael | Washington Capitals | 4 | 2020 to 2023 | - | $2,696,854$2.7m |
| 231 | Dylan Cozens | Buffalo Sabres | 3 | 2020 to 2022 | - | $2,668,178$2.7m |
| 232 | Byron Froese | Vegas Golden Knights | 6 | 2015 to 2023 | - | $2,666,236$2.7m |
| 233 | Adam Brooks | Philadelphia Flyers | 5 | 2019 to 2023 | - | $2,655,191$2.7m |
| 234 | Sam Steel | Anaheim Ducks | 4 | 2018 to 2021 | - | $2,504,792$2.5m |
| 235 | Peyton Krebs | Buffalo Sabres | 4 | 2020 to 2023 | - | $2,476,014$2.5m |
| 236 | Rasmus Asplund | Buffalo Sabres | 4 | 2019 to 2022 | - | $2,459,842$2.5m |
| 237 | Philipp Kurashev | Chicago Blackhawks | 3 | 2020 to 2022 | - | $2,440,124$2.4m |
| 238 | Cristoval Nieves | Tampa Bay Lightning | 5 | 2016 to 2020 | - | $2,424,811$2.4m |
| 239 | Tyler Graovac | Vancouver Canucks | 6 | 2014 to 2020 | - | $2,422,377$2.4m |
| 240 | Kirby Dach | Chicago Blackhawks | 3 | 2019 to 2021 | - | $2,421,444$2.4m |
| 241 | Michael Chaput | Pittsburgh Penguins | 7 | 2013 to 2021 | - | $2,409,436$2.4m |
| 242 | Kevin Stenlund | Winnipeg Jets | 4 | 2018 to 2021 | - | $2,376,201$2.4m |
| 243 | Ross Colton | Tampa Bay Lightning | 3 | 2020 to 2022 | - | $2,375,000$2.4m |
| 244 | Matthew Highmore | Vancouver Canucks | 4 | 2017 to 2021 | - | $2,304,411$2.3m |
| 245 | Nicolas Roy | Vegas Golden Knights | 5 | 2017 to 2021 | - | $2,270,565$2.3m |
| 246 | Michael Sgarbossa | Washington Capitals | 8 | 2010 to 2021 | - | $2,263,592$2.3m |
| 247 | Trevor Zegras | Anaheim Ducks | 3 | 2020 to 2022 | - | $2,258,288$2.3m |
| 248 | Jayce Hawryluk | Vancouver Canucks | 3 | 2018 to 2020 | - | $2,218,328$2.2m |
| 249 | Dakota Joshua | Vancouver Canucks | 4 | 2020 to 2023 | - | $2,171,158$2.2m |
| 250 | Kyle Rau | Minnesota Wild | 6 | 2015 to 2021 | - | $2,158,601$2.2m |
| 251 | Shane Pinto | Ottawa Senators | 3 | 2020 to 2022 | - | $2,129,102$2.1m |
| 252 | Josh Norris | Ottawa Senators | 3 | 2019 to 2021 | - | $2,121,540$2.1m |
| 253 | Drew Shore | Carolina Hurricanes | 5 | 2013 to 2020 | - | $2,097,366$2.1m |
| 254 | Gabe Vilardi | Los Angeles Kings | 3 | 2019 to 2021 | - | $2,051,420$2.1m |
| 255 | Jack Studnicka | Vancouver Canucks | 5 | 2019 to 2023 | - | $2,032,858$2.0m |
| 256 | Cody Glass | Nashville Predators | 3 | 2019 to 2021 | - | $1,992,215$2.0m |
| 257 | Jesper Boqvist | New Jersey Devils | 3 | 2019 to 2021 | - | $1,969,236$2.0m |
| 258 | Morgan Frost | Philadelphia Flyers | 3 | 2019 to 2021 | - | $1,947,822$1.9m |
| 259 | Alex Barre-Boulet | Tampa Bay Lightning | 4 | 2020 to 2023 | - | $1,945,255$1.9m |
| 260 | Mitchell Stephens | Montreal Canadiens | 3 | 2019 to 2021 | - | $1,936,028$1.9m |
| 261 | Jansen Harkins | Winnipeg Jets | 3 | 2019 to 2021 | - | $1,863,188$1.9m |
| 262 | Alex Newhook | Colorado Avalanche | 3 | 2020 to 2022 | - | $1,854,600$1.9m |
| 263 | Jackson Cates | Philadelphia Flyers | 2 | 2020 to 2021 | - | $1,850,000$1.8m |
| 264 | Tanner Laczynski | Philadelphia Flyers | 2 | 2020 to 2021 | - | $1,850,000$1.8m |
| 265 | Jayson Megna | Anaheim Ducks | 7 | 2015 to 2022 | - | $1,844,052$1.8m |
| 266 | Yakov Trenin | Nashville Predators | 3 | 2019 to 2021 | - | $1,808,848$1.8m |
| 267 | Noah Gregor | San Jose Sharks | 3 | 2019 to 2021 | - | $1,651,461$1.7m |
| 268 | Rasmus Kupari | Los Angeles Kings | 3 | 2020 to 2022 | - | $1,614,476$1.6m |
| 269 | Joel Teasdale | Montreal Canadiens | 2 | 2019 to 2020 | - | $1,530,000$1.5m |
| 270 | Morgan Barron | Winnipeg Jets | 3 | 2020 to 2022 | - | $1,528,643$1.5m |
| 271 | Nico Sturm | San Jose Sharks | 4 | 2018 to 2021 | - | $1,520,230$1.5m |
| 272 | Lane Pederson | San Jose Sharks | 3 | 2020 to 2022 | - | $1,458,744$1.5m |
| 273 | Rhett Gardner | Dallas Stars | 3 | 2019 to 2021 | - | $1,440,786$1.4m |
| 274 | Sheldon Dries | Vancouver Canucks | 4 | 2018 to 2021 | - | $1,419,298$1.4m |
| 275 | Ty Dellandrea | Dallas Stars | 2 | 2020 to 2021 | - | $1,398,682$1.4m |
| 276 | Jaret Anderson-Dolan | Los Angeles Kings | 4 | 2018 to 2021 | - | $1,360,891$1.4m |
| 277 | Liam Foudy | Columbus Blue Jackets | 3 | 2019 to 2021 | - | $1,315,307 |
| 278 | Ryan MacInnis | Buffalo Sabres | 3 | 2019 to 2021 | - | $1,275,392 |
| 279 | Anthony Angello | Pittsburgh Penguins | 3 | 2019 to 2021 | - | $1,269,502 |
| 280 | Dylan Sikura | Chicago Blackhawks | 5 | 2017 to 2021 | - | $1,249,771 |
| 281 | Arttu Ruotsalainen | Buffalo Sabres | 2 | 2020 to 2021 | - | $1,239,987 |
| 282 | Morgan Geekie | Seattle Kraken | 3 | 2019 to 2021 | - | $1,232,786 |
| 283 | Steven Lorentz | Carolina Hurricanes | 2 | 2020 to 2021 | - | $1,232,720 |
| 284 | Alex True | Seattle Kraken | 3 | 2019 to 2021 | - | $1,209,680 |
| 285 | David Gustafsson | Winnipeg Jets | 2 | 2019 to 2020 | - | $1,182,277 |
| 286 | Rem Pitlick | Montreal Canadiens | 3 | 2018 to 2021 | - | $1,160,223 |
| 287 | Aleksi Heponiemi | Florida Panthers | 2 | 2020 to 2021 | - | $1,146,686 |
| 288 | Vinni Lettieri | Boston Bruins | 4 | 2017 to 2021 | - | $1,138,242 |
| 289 | Connor Bunnaman | Philadelphia Flyers | 3 | 2019 to 2021 | - | $1,126,696 |
| 290 | Joshua Dunne | Columbus Blue Jackets | 2 | 2020 to 2021 | - | $1,096,447 |
| 291 | Gerald Mayhew | Philadelphia Flyers | 3 | 2019 to 2021 | - | $1,075,260 |
| 292 | Ryan McLeod | Edmonton Oilers | 2 | 2020 to 2021 | - | $1,037,592 |
| 293 | Antti Suomela | San Jose Sharks | 3 | 2018 to 2020 | - | $1,008,590 |
| 294 | John Leonard | San Jose Sharks | 2 | 2020 to 2021 | - | $976,069 |
| 295 | Jean-Sebastien Dea | Arizona Coyotes | 5 | 2016 to 2020 | - | $937,629 |
| 296 | Joe Veleno | Detroit Red Wings | 1 | 2020 | - | $925,000 |
| 297 | Josh Dickinson | Chicago Blackhawks | 1 | 2020 | - | $925,000 |
| 298 | Chase De Leo | Anaheim Ducks | 5 | 2016 to 2021 | - | $895,412 |
| 299 | Alexander Chmelevski | San Jose Sharks | 2 | 2020 to 2021 | - | $890,772 |
| 300 | Josh Currie | Pittsburgh Penguins | 2 | 2018 to 2020 | - | $882,275 |
| 301 | Fredrik Handemark | San Jose Sharks | 1 | 2020 | - | $792,500 |
| 302 | Garrett Pilon | Washington Capitals | 2 | 2020 to 2021 | - | $774,136 |
| 303 | Brian Pinho | New Jersey Devils | 2 | 2017 to 2020 | - | $761,250 |
| 304 | Joseph Cramarossa | Minnesota Wild | 2 | 2016 to 2020 | - | $729,511 |
| 305 | Phillipe Maillet | Washington Capitals | 1 | 2020 | - | $700,000 |
| 306 | Clark Bishop | Calgary Flames | 4 | 2018 to 2021 | - | $648,430 |
| 307 | Joel L'Esperance | Dallas Stars | 3 | 2018 to 2020 | - | $615,741 |
| 308 | Luke Johnson | Winnipeg Jets | 3 | 2018 to 2020 | - | $499,142 |
| 309 | Oskar Steen | Boston Bruins | 2 | 2020 to 2021 | - | $377,068 |
| 310 | Steven Fogarty | Minnesota Wild | 5 | 2017 to 2021 | - | $307,621 |
| 311 | Sean Malone | Buffalo Sabres | 2 | 2016 to 2020 | - | $207,182 |
| 312 | Glenn Gawdin | Anaheim Ducks | 4 | 2019 to 2022 | - | $205,118 |
| 313 | Justin Richards | New York Rangers | 1 | 2020 | - | $106,854 |
| 314 | Shane Bowers | Colorado Avalanche | 1 | 2020 | - | $99,677 |
Center money by season
What these careers were paid, year by year
$57m 07
$87m 08
$121m 09
$155m 10
$189m 11
$147m 12
$259m 13
$335m 14
$398m 15
$527m 16
$568m 17
$681m 18
$773m 19
$719m 20
$754m 21
$660m 22
$595m 23
$420m 24
$300m 25
$205m 26
2019-20 is the biggest year on this chart at $772,874,898. The shape follows the careers filed at this position today rather than everybody who has ever played it.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the highest paid Center in the NHL?
Sidney Crosby. His contracts are worth $155,890,244 across 20 seasons from 2005 to 2024.
What have NHL centers earned?
$8,367,669,070 across 314 careers, an average of $26,648,628 each. That is 31.7% of every dollar in the NHL file.
How does that rank?
Center is 1 of 5 positions by total career money and ahead of Defenseman on $8,240,947,514.
How many are still being paid?
33 of the 314 have a figure against the 2026-27 season, and $328,453,571 is written into deals that run past it.
What counts towards a position total?
Every career filed at center now. A man counts once, at the position he is listed at today, so a career that moved between two jobs sits entirely under the second.
The positions either side
The same table, 4 other positions
Defenseman · Left Wing · Right Wing · Goaltender · All-time NHL earnings
Where to next
The seasons, the franchises and the rest of the league
Every season
- 2007-08 NHL payrolls
- 2008-09 NHL payrolls
- 2009-10 NHL payrolls
- 2010-11 NHL payrolls
- 2011-12 NHL payrolls
- 2012-13 NHL payrolls
- 2013-14 NHL payrolls
- 2014-15 NHL payrolls
- 2015-16 NHL payrolls
- 2016-17 NHL payrolls
- 2017-18 NHL payrolls
- 2018-19 NHL payrolls
- 2019-20 NHL payrolls
- 2020-21 NHL payrolls
- 2021-22 NHL payrolls
- 2022-23 NHL payrolls
- 2023-24 NHL payrolls
- 2024-25 NHL payrolls
- 2025-26 NHL payrolls
- 2026-27 NHL payrolls
Every franchise
- Tampa Bay Lightning career earnings
- Montreal Canadiens career earnings
- Anaheim Ducks career earnings
- New York Islanders career earnings
- Washington Capitals career earnings
- St Louis Blues career earnings
- Boston Bruins career earnings
- Colorado Avalanche career earnings
- Edmonton Oilers career earnings
- Carolina Hurricanes career earnings
- Calgary Flames career earnings
- Dallas Stars career earnings
- Detroit Red Wings career earnings
- Pittsburgh Penguins career earnings
- Toronto Maple Leafs career earnings
- Arizona Coyotes career earnings
- Los Angeles Kings career earnings
- Nashville Predators career earnings
- Chicago Blackhawks career earnings
- Philadelphia Flyers career earnings
- San Jose Sharks career earnings
- Columbus Blue Jackets career earnings
- Vancouver Canucks career earnings
- Florida Panthers career earnings
- Vegas Golden Knights career earnings
- Minnesota Wild career earnings
- New York Rangers career earnings
- Buffalo Sabres career earnings
- Seattle Kraken career earnings
- New Jersey Devils career earnings
- Ottawa Senators career earnings
- Winnipeg Jets career earnings