NHL · POSITION · 2 OF 5
Defenseman career earnings
$8,240,947,514 across 341 careers, led by Drew Doughty on $143,929,878.
Every NHL career filed at this position, ranked by total contract money. It comes to 31.2% of the money on record, at an average of $24,167,002 a career.
CAREER MONEY $8.24bn
PER CAREER $24.2m
CAREERS 341
SHARE OF LEAGUE 31.2%
RANK 2 of 5
Defenseman at a glance
What the position has been paid
- Career money
- $8,240,947,514
- Careers
- 341
- Per career
- $24,167,002
- Paid through 2026-27
- $7,984,266,563
- Still to be paid
- $256,680,951
- Rank
- 2 of 5 positions
The fifteen richest Defenseman careers
Total contract money, 2000 to 2030
Every Defenseman career
Ranked by total contract money
| # | Player | Franchise | Seasons | Span | Still owed | Career earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Drew Doughty Paid in 2026-27 | Los Angeles Kings | 19 | 2008 to 2026 | - | $143,929,878$143.9m |
| 02 | Erik Karlsson Paid in 2026-27 | San Jose Sharks | 18 | 2009 to 2026 | - | $138,929,878$138.9m |
| 03 | Shea Weber | Montreal Canadiens | 21 | 2005 to 2025 | - | $132,831,000$132.8m |
| 04 | Ryan Suter Paid in 2026-27 | Dallas Stars | 24 | 2005 to 2028 | $1.7m | $126,092,664$126.1m |
| 05 | Seth Jones Paid in 2026-27 | Chicago Blackhawks | 17 | 2013 to 2029 | $22.5m | $111,387,499$111.4m |
| 06 | Alex Pietrangelo Paid in 2026-27 | Vegas Golden Knights | 17 | 2010 to 2026 | - | $109,550,000$109.6m |
| 07 | Kris Letang Paid in 2026-27 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 20 | 2007 to 2027 | $4.8m | $105,518,780$105.5m |
| 08 | Brent Burns | Carolina Hurricanes | 18 | 2006 to 2024 | - | $103,650,000$103.7m |
| 09 | Roman Josi Paid in 2026-27 | Nashville Predators | 18 | 2010 to 2027 | $7.0m | $102,821,695$102.8m |
| 10 | Oliver Ekman-Larsson Paid in 2026-27 | Vancouver Canucks | 17 | 2010 to 2026 | - | $101,416,829$101.4m |
| 11 | Dougie Hamilton Paid in 2026-27 | New Jersey Devils | 17 | 2011 to 2027 | $5.3m | $101,125,000$101.1m |
| 12 | Brent Seabrook | Tampa Bay Lightning | 19 | 2005 to 2023 | - | $97,327,200$97.3m |
| 13 | Charles Mcavoy Paid in 2026-27 | Boston Bruins | 14 | 2016 to 2029 | $22.7m | $93,450,000$93.4m |
| 14 | Morgan Rielly Paid in 2026-27 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 17 | 2013 to 2029 | $18.0m | $92,895,000$92.9m |
| 15 | Darnell Nurse Paid in 2026-27 | Edmonton Oilers | 13 | 2015 to 2029 | $21.6m | $92,525,000$92.5m |
| 16 | Marc-Edouard Vlasic | San Jose Sharks | 20 | 2006 to 2025 | - | $90,320,854$90.3m |
| 17 | Zdeno Chara | New York Islanders | 19 | 2000 to 2021 | - | $89,927,500$89.9m |
| 18 | John Carlson | Washington Capitals | 17 | 2008 to 2025 | - | $88,946,951$88.9m |
| 19 | Hampus Lindholm Paid in 2026-27 | Boston Bruins | 18 | 2012 to 2029 | $14.4m | $87,005,000$87.0m |
| 20 | Victor Hedman | Tampa Bay Lightning | 16 | 2009 to 2024 | - | $85,700,000$85.7m |
| 21 | Jared Spurgeon Paid in 2026-27 | Minnesota Wild | 17 | 2010 to 2026 | - | $83,355,000$83.4m |
| 22 | Cam Fowler | Anaheim Ducks | 16 | 2010 to 2025 | - | $82,042,153$82.0m |
| 23 | Colton Parayko Paid in 2026-27 | St Louis Blues | 15 | 2015 to 2029 | $14.4m | $81,310,000$81.3m |
| 24 | Duncan Keith | Edmonton Oilers | 17 | 2006 to 2022 | - | $77,900,000$77.9m |
| 25 | Ryan McDonagh | Nashville Predators | 16 | 2010 to 2025 | - | $77,799,695$77.8m |
| 26 | Justin Faulk Paid in 2026-27 | St Louis Blues | 16 | 2011 to 2026 | - | $77,020,000$77.0m |
| 27 | Zachary Werenski Paid in 2026-27 | Columbus Blue Jackets | 12 | 2016 to 2027 | $7.2m | $75,275,000$75.3m |
| 28 | Torey Krug Paid in 2026-27 | St Louis Blues | 16 | 2011 to 2026 | - | $73,967,115$74.0m |
| 29 | P.K. Subban | New Jersey Devils | 11 | 2009 to 2021 | - | $73,837,500$73.8m |
| 30 | Tyler Myers | Vancouver Canucks | 15 | 2009 to 2023 | - | $71,625,000$71.6m |
| 31 | Jacob Trouba | New York Rangers | 13 | 2013 to 2025 | - | $70,607,500$70.6m |
| 32 | Miro Heiskanen Paid in 2026-27 | Dallas Stars | 11 | 2018 to 2028 | $14.6m | $70,282,500$70.3m |
| 33 | Jonas Brodin Paid in 2026-27 | Minnesota Wild | 16 | 2012 to 2027 | $4.0m | $70,107,500$70.1m |
| 34 | Adam Fox Paid in 2026-27 | New York Rangers | 10 | 2019 to 2028 | $14.5m | $69,275,000$69.3m |
| 35 | Mike Green | Detroit Red Wings | 15 | 2005 to 2019 | - | $68,012,195$68.0m |
| 36 | Thomas Chabot Paid in 2026-27 | Ottawa Senators | 12 | 2016 to 2027 | $8.0m | $67,323,569$67.3m |
| 37 | Jeff Petry | Montreal Canadiens | 15 | 2010 to 2024 | - | $65,580,121$65.6m |
| 38 | Mark Giordano | Toronto Maple Leafs | 16 | 2008 to 2023 | - | $64,875,000$64.9m |
| 39 | Ryan Ellis Paid in 2026-27 | Philadelphia Flyers | 18 | 2009 to 2026 | - | $64,864,146$64.9m |
| 40 | Keith Yandle | Philadelphia Flyers | 18 | 2007 to 2024 | - | $64,813,496$64.8m |
| 41 | MacKenzie Weegar Paid in 2026-27 | Calgary Flames | 15 | 2016 to 2030 | $25.0m | $63,725,000$63.7m |
| 42 | Ryan Pulock Paid in 2026-27 | New York Islanders | 14 | 2014 to 2029 | $18.5m | $63,641,297$63.6m |
| 43 | Aaron Ekblad | Florida Panthers | 11 | 2014 to 2024 | - | $63,625,000$63.6m |
| 44 | Erik Johnson | Colorado Avalanche | 16 | 2007 to 2022 | - | $63,402,439$63.4m |
| 45 | Nick Leddy | St Louis Blues | 16 | 2010 to 2025 | - | $62,316,829$62.3m |
| 46 | Alex Goligoski | Minnesota Wild | 17 | 2007 to 2023 | - | $60,224,137$60.2m |
| 47 | Rasmus Ristolainen Paid in 2026-27 | Philadelphia Flyers | 14 | 2013 to 2026 | - | $60,218,782$60.2m |
| 48 | Alexander Edler | Los Angeles Kings | 17 | 2006 to 2022 | - | $59,552,439$59.6m |
| 49 | Joshua Morrissey Paid in 2026-27 | Winnipeg Jets | 13 | 2015 to 2027 | $4.8m | $58,890,000$58.9m |
| 50 | Marc Staal | Florida Panthers | 15 | 2007 to 2021 | - | $56,889,756$56.9m |
| 51 | Cale Makar Paid in 2026-27 | Colorado Avalanche | 8 | 2019 to 2026 | - | $55,850,000$55.8m |
| 52 | Johnny Boychuk | Buffalo Sabres | 15 | 2007 to 2021 | - | $55,039,634$55.0m |
| 53 | Kevin Shattenkirk | Anaheim Ducks | 13 | 2010 to 2022 | - | $54,533,027$54.5m |
| 54 | Jack Johnson | Colorado Avalanche | 20 | 2006 to 2025 | - | $54,290,002$54.3m |
| 55 | Adam Pelech Paid in 2026-27 | New York Islanders | 14 | 2015 to 2028 | $11.5m | $53,907,308$53.9m |
| 56 | Christian Ehrhoff Paid in 2026-27 | Chicago Blackhawks | 23 | 2005 to 2027 | $857k | $52,790,929$52.8m |
| 57 | Mattias Ekholm | Nashville Predators | 13 | 2013 to 2025 | - | $50,497,500$50.5m |
| 58 | Andrej Sekera | Dallas Stars | 17 | 2006 to 2022 | - | $50,450,000$50.4m |
| 59 | T.J. Brodie | Toronto Maple Leafs | 15 | 2009 to 2023 | - | $49,275,000$49.3m |
| 60 | Quinn Hughes Paid in 2026-27 | Vancouver Canucks | 9 | 2018 to 2026 | - | $49,164,048$49.2m |
| 61 | Matt Niskanen | Washington Capitals | 14 | 2007 to 2020 | - | $49,004,268$49.0m |
| 62 | Anton Stralman | Boston Bruins | 16 | 2007 to 2022 | - | $48,095,000$48.1m |
| 63 | Zach Bogosian | Tampa Bay Lightning | 16 | 2008 to 2023 | - | $47,421,965$47.4m |
| 64 | Tyson Barrie | Edmonton Oilers | 13 | 2011 to 2023 | - | $46,398,902$46.4m |
| 65 | Chris Tanev | Calgary Flames | 14 | 2010 to 2023 | - | $46,166,829$46.2m |
| 66 | Jacob Muzzin | Toronto Maple Leafs | 14 | 2009 to 2023 | - | $45,658,049$45.7m |
| 67 | Niklas Hjalmarsson | Arizona Coyotes | 14 | 2007 to 2020 | - | $45,228,780$45.2m |
| 68 | Alec Martinez | Vegas Golden Knights | 16 | 2008 to 2023 | - | $45,031,707$45.0m |
| 69 | Adam Larsson | Seattle Kraken | 14 | 2011 to 2024 | - | $44,383,963$44.4m |
| 70 | Connor Murphy | Chicago Blackhawks | 14 | 2011 to 2025 | - | $43,832,500$43.8m |
| 71 | Ivan Provorov | Philadelphia Flyers | 9 | 2016 to 2024 | - | $43,182,500$43.2m |
| 72 | Braydon Coburn | New York Islanders | 15 | 2006 to 2020 | - | $42,913,700$42.9m |
| 73 | Nate Schmidt | Vancouver Canucks | 11 | 2013 to 2024 | - | $42,097,564$42.1m |
| 74 | Andy Greene | New York Islanders | 17 | 2005 to 2021 | - | $41,684,756$41.7m |
| 75 | Justin Schultz | Seattle Kraken | 10 | 2012 to 2021 | - | $41,025,000$41.0m |
| 76 | Michael Matheson | Pittsburgh Penguins | 11 | 2015 to 2025 | - | $41,012,122$41.0m |
| 77 | Radko Gudas | Anaheim Ducks | 13 | 2013 to 2025 | - | $40,880,000$40.9m |
| 78 | Esa Lindell | Dallas Stars | 10 | 2015 to 2024 | - | $40,124,032$40.1m |
| 79 | Jake Gardiner | Carolina Hurricanes | 12 | 2011 to 2022 | - | $39,775,000$39.8m |
| 80 | Shea Theodore | Vegas Golden Knights | 11 | 2014 to 2024 | - | $39,230,664$39.2m |
| 81 | Jaccob Slavin | Carolina Hurricanes | 10 | 2015 to 2024 | - | $39,101,639$39.1m |
| 82 | Karl Alzner | Montreal Canadiens | 13 | 2009 to 2021 | - | $38,993,415$39.0m |
| 83 | Dmitry Kulikov | Anaheim Ducks | 14 | 2009 to 2022 | - | $38,610,732$38.6m |
| 84 | Josh Manson | Colorado Avalanche | 12 | 2014 to 2025 | - | $37,900,000$37.9m |
| 85 | Dmitry Orlov | Washington Capitals | 10 | 2013 to 2022 | - | $37,590,000$37.6m |
| 86 | John Klingberg | Anaheim Ducks | 9 | 2014 to 2022 | - | $37,560,000$37.6m |
| 87 | Mathew Dumba | Minnesota Wild | 10 | 2013 to 2022 | - | $37,420,568$37.4m |
| 88 | David Savard | Montreal Canadiens | 11 | 2013 to 2024 | - | $37,259,275$37.3m |
| 89 | Samuel Girard Paid in 2026-27 | Colorado Avalanche | 10 | 2017 to 2026 | - | $37,115,335$37.1m |
| 90 | Travis Hamonic | Vancouver Canucks | 13 | 2010 to 2022 | - | $36,599,695$36.6m |
| 91 | Marco Scandella | St Louis Blues | 13 | 2011 to 2023 | - | $36,179,573$36.2m |
| 92 | Danny DeKeyser | Detroit Red Wings | 10 | 2012 to 2021 | - | $35,992,621$36.0m |
| 93 | Brenden Dillon | Winnipeg Jets | 13 | 2011 to 2023 | - | $34,973,901$35.0m |
| 94 | Brady Skjei | Carolina Hurricanes | 9 | 2015 to 2023 | - | $33,482,784$33.5m |
| 95 | Jason Demers | Arizona Coyotes | 13 | 2008 to 2020 | - | $33,349,194$33.3m |
| 96 | Jamie Oleksiak | Seattle Kraken | 13 | 2011 to 2025 | - | $32,530,976$32.5m |
| 97 | Noah Hanifin | Calgary Flames | 9 | 2015 to 2023 | - | $32,475,000$32.5m |
| 98 | Nikita Zaitsev | Ottawa Senators | 8 | 2016 to 2023 | - | $32,425,000$32.4m |
| 99 | Kris Russell | Edmonton Oilers | 15 | 2007 to 2021 | - | $32,060,976$32.1m |
| 100 | Brandon Carlo Paid in 2026-27 | Boston Bruins | 10 | 2016 to 2026 | - | $32,042,500$32.0m |
| 101 | Mattias Samuelsson Paid in 2026-27 | Buffalo Sabres | 10 | 2020 to 2029 | $12.9m | $31,748,935$31.7m |
| 102 | Jakob Chychrun | Arizona Coyotes | 9 | 2016 to 2024 | - | $31,650,000$31.6m |
| 103 | Brendan Smith | New Jersey Devils | 14 | 2010 to 2023 | - | $31,050,000$31.1m |
| 104 | Oscar Klefbom | Edmonton Oilers | 10 | 2013 to 2022 | - | $30,970,949$31.0m |
| 105 | Cody Ceci | Edmonton Oilers | 12 | 2013 to 2024 | - | $30,938,355$30.9m |
| 106 | Neal Pionk | Winnipeg Jets | 8 | 2017 to 2024 | - | $30,784,612$30.8m |
| 107 | Rasmus Andersson | Calgary Flames | 10 | 2016 to 2025 | - | $29,701,443$29.7m |
| 108 | Olli Maatta | Los Angeles Kings | 11 | 2012 to 2022 | - | $29,523,500$29.5m |
| 109 | Calvin de Haan | Carolina Hurricanes | 11 | 2010 to 2022 | - | $29,150,000$29.1m |
| 110 | Ian Cole | Tampa Bay Lightning | 13 | 2010 to 2022 | - | $28,949,694$28.9m |
| 111 | Shayne Gostisbehere | Philadelphia Flyers | 8 | 2015 to 2022 | - | $28,850,000$28.8m |
| 112 | John Marino Paid in 2026-27 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 8 | 2019 to 2026 | - | $28,250,000$28.3m |
| 113 | Michael Del Zotto | Anaheim Ducks | 15 | 2009 to 2023 | - | $28,040,497$28.0m |
| 114 | Erik Gudbranson | Calgary Flames | 11 | 2011 to 2021 | - | $27,975,000$28.0m |
| 115 | Jake McCabe | Chicago Blackhawks | 10 | 2015 to 2024 | - | $27,425,000$27.4m |
| 116 | Justin Braun | Philadelphia Flyers | 12 | 2010 to 2021 | - | $27,260,366$27.3m |
| 117 | Damon Severson | New Jersey Devils | 9 | 2014 to 2022 | - | $26,817,500$26.8m |
| 118 | Brett Pesce | Carolina Hurricanes | 9 | 2015 to 2023 | - | $26,577,500$26.6m |
| 119 | Luke Schenn | Vancouver Canucks | 15 | 2008 to 2022 | - | $26,425,077$26.4m |
| 120 | Brian Dumoulin | Pittsburgh Penguins | 8 | 2015 to 2022 | - | $26,200,000$26.2m |
| 121 | Carl Gunnarsson | St Louis Blues | 12 | 2009 to 2020 | - | $25,441,707$25.4m |
| 122 | Sami Vatanen | New Jersey Devils | 9 | 2012 to 2020 | - | $25,152,691$25.2m |
| 123 | Nikita Zadorov | Calgary Flames | 11 | 2013 to 2023 | - | $24,405,731$24.4m |
| 124 | Luca Sbisa | Nashville Predators | 13 | 2008 to 2020 | - | $24,345,732$24.3m |
| 125 | Brayden McNabb | Vegas Golden Knights | 12 | 2013 to 2024 | - | $23,415,000$23.4m |
| 126 | Brandon Montour | Florida Panthers | 8 | 2016 to 2023 | - | $22,975,000$23.0m |
| 127 | Ryan Murray | Colorado Avalanche | 10 | 2012 to 2021 | - | $22,450,000$22.5m |
| 128 | Marcus Pettersson | Pittsburgh Penguins | 8 | 2017 to 2024 | - | $22,131,828$22.1m |
| 129 | John Moore | Anaheim Ducks | 14 | 2009 to 2022 | - | $21,964,995$22.0m |
| 130 | Patrik Nemeth | New York Rangers | 13 | 2011 to 2023 | - | $21,213,190$21.2m |
| 131 | Michael Stone | Calgary Flames | 14 | 2009 to 2022 | - | $21,005,312$21.0m |
| 132 | Rasmus Dahlin | Buffalo Sabres | 6 | 2018 to 2023 | - | $20,775,000$20.8m |
| 133 | Thomas Hickey | New York Islanders | 14 | 2007 to 2021 | - | $20,575,000$20.6m |
| 134 | Anthony DeAngelo | Philadelphia Flyers | 8 | 2014 to 2023 | - | $19,340,999$19.3m |
| 135 | Matthew Grzelcyk | Boston Bruins | 8 | 2016 to 2023 | - | $18,893,542$18.9m |
| 136 | Zach Whitecloud Paid in 2026-27 | Vegas Golden Knights | 9 | 2019 to 2027 | $2.5m | $18,875,000$18.9m |
| 137 | Joel Edmundson | Montreal Canadiens | 9 | 2015 to 2023 | - | $18,067,500$18.1m |
| 138 | Mikhail Sergachev | Tampa Bay Lightning | 7 | 2016 to 2022 | - | $18,007,500$18.0m |
| 139 | Colin Miller | Dallas Stars | 7 | 2015 to 2021 | - | $17,943,739$17.9m |
| 140 | Devon Toews | Colorado Avalanche | 6 | 2018 to 2023 | - | $17,456,490$17.5m |
| 141 | Travis Sanheim | Philadelphia Flyers | 6 | 2017 to 2022 | - | $17,310,213$17.3m |
| 142 | Derek Forbort | Boston Bruins | 9 | 2015 to 2023 | - | $16,681,950$16.7m |
| 143 | Mike Reilly | Boston Bruins | 9 | 2015 to 2023 | - | $15,954,063$16.0m |
| 144 | Nick Holden | Ottawa Senators | 11 | 2011 to 2022 | - | $15,925,000$15.9m |
| 145 | Dylan Demelo | Winnipeg Jets | 9 | 2015 to 2023 | - | $15,725,000$15.7m |
| 146 | Ben Chiarot | Florida Panthers | 9 | 2013 to 2021 | - | $15,479,657$15.5m |
| 147 | Filip Hronek | Detroit Red Wings | 6 | 2018 to 2023 | - | $15,260,077$15.3m |
| 148 | Robert Bortuzzo | St Louis Blues | 15 | 2009 to 2023 | - | $13,755,000$13.8m |
| 149 | Kevan Miller | Boston Bruins | 8 | 2013 to 2020 | - | $13,400,000$13.4m |
| 150 | Will Butcher | Buffalo Sabres | 5 | 2017 to 2021 | - | $13,050,000$13.1m |
| 151 | Mark Pysyk | Buffalo Sabres | 10 | 2011 to 2021 | - | $13,004,692$13.0m |
| 152 | Jon Merrill | Minnesota Wild | 12 | 2013 to 2024 | - | $12,920,000$12.9m |
| 153 | Tucker Poolman | Vancouver Canucks | 8 | 2017 to 2024 | - | $12,655,920$12.7m |
| 154 | Markus Nutivaara | Florida Panthers | 6 | 2016 to 2021 | - | $12,435,000$12.4m |
| 155 | Nathan Beaulieu | Anaheim Ducks | 10 | 2013 to 2022 | - | $12,302,692$12.3m |
| 156 | Nick Jensen | Washington Capitals | 7 | 2016 to 2022 | - | $12,225,000$12.2m |
| 157 | Ben Hutton | Vegas Golden Knights | 9 | 2015 to 2023 | - | $12,200,000$12.2m |
| 158 | Sean Walker | Los Angeles Kings | 6 | 2018 to 2023 | - | $11,859,400$11.9m |
| 159 | Michal Kempny | Washington Capitals | 6 | 2016 to 2021 | - | $11,600,000$11.6m |
| 160 | Vince Dunn | Seattle Kraken | 6 | 2017 to 2022 | - | $11,517,500$11.5m |
| 161 | Mark Borowiecki | Nashville Predators | 10 | 2013 to 2022 | - | $11,085,513$11.1m |
| 162 | Matt Roy | Los Angeles Kings | 6 | 2018 to 2023 | - | $11,073,800$11.1m |
| 163 | Gustav Forsling | Florida Panthers | 7 | 2016 to 2023 | - | $10,974,705$11.0m |
| 164 | Ryan Lindgren | New York Rangers | 6 | 2018 to 2023 | - | $10,866,444$10.9m |
| 165 | Jordie Benn | Winnipeg Jets | 10 | 2011 to 2021 | - | $10,850,000$10.9m |
| 166 | Trevor Van Riemsdyk | Washington Capitals | 9 | 2014 to 2022 | - | $10,756,237$10.8m |
| 167 | Ryan Graves | New Jersey Devils | 5 | 2018 to 2022 | - | $10,525,085$10.5m |
| 168 | Radim Simek | San Jose Sharks | 6 | 2018 to 2023 | - | $10,350,000$10.4m |
| 169 | Troy Stecher | Arizona Coyotes | 7 | 2016 to 2022 | - | $10,317,500$10.3m |
| 170 | Adam Boqvist | Columbus Blue Jackets | 6 | 2019 to 2024 | - | $10,256,067$10.3m |
| 171 | Vladislav Gavrikov | Columbus Blue Jackets | 5 | 2018 to 2022 | - | $10,250,000$10.2m |
| 172 | Jeremy Lauzon | Nashville Predators | 8 | 2018 to 2025 | - | $10,179,205$10.2m |
| 173 | Erik Cernak | Tampa Bay Lightning | 5 | 2018 to 2022 | - | $10,056,775$10.1m |
| 174 | Henri Jokiharju | Buffalo Sabres | 6 | 2018 to 2023 | - | $9,928,759$9.9m |
| 175 | Ilya Lyubushkin | Buffalo Sabres | 6 | 2018 to 2023 | - | $9,602,200$9.6m |
| 176 | Yannick Weber | Pittsburgh Penguins | 13 | 2008 to 2020 | - | $9,439,329$9.4m |
| 177 | Carson Soucy | Seattle Kraken | 5 | 2017 to 2022 | - | $9,216,163$9.2m |
| 178 | Greg Pateryn | Anaheim Ducks | 8 | 2013 to 2020 | - | $9,155,508$9.2m |
| 179 | Erik Gustafsson | Washington Capitals | 8 | 2015 to 2022 | - | $9,048,561$9.0m |
| 180 | Stephen Johns | Dallas Stars | 6 | 2015 to 2020 | - | $8,731,933$8.7m |
| 181 | Scott Mayfield | New York Islanders | 8 | 2015 to 2022 | - | $8,708,870$8.7m |
| 182 | Philippe Myers | Philadelphia Flyers | 5 | 2018 to 2022 | - | $8,433,016$8.4m |
| 183 | Jordan Oesterle | Detroit Red Wings | 9 | 2014 to 2022 | - | $8,370,520$8.4m |
| 184 | Matt Irwin | Washington Capitals | 12 | 2010 to 2021 | - | $8,226,993$8.2m |
| 185 | Brett Kulak | Edmonton Oilers | 8 | 2014 to 2021 | - | $8,086,551$8.1m |
| 186 | Kevin Connauton | Philadelphia Flyers | 9 | 2013 to 2021 | - | $7,865,977$7.9m |
| 187 | Matthew Benning | Nashville Predators | 6 | 2016 to 2021 | - | $7,650,000$7.7m |
| 188 | Jake Bean | Columbus Blue Jackets | 5 | 2018 to 2023 | - | $7,504,218$7.5m |
| 189 | Oliver Kylington | Calgary Flames | 8 | 2015 to 2023 | - | $7,459,598$7.5m |
| 190 | Justin Holl | Toronto Maple Leafs | 6 | 2017 to 2022 | - | $7,363,980$7.4m |
| 191 | Nate Prosser | Philadelphia Flyers | 11 | 2009 to 2020 | - | $7,316,743$7.3m |
| 192 | Ethan Bear | Vancouver Canucks | 6 | 2017 to 2022 | - | $7,209,153$7.2m |
| 193 | Jan Rutta | Pittsburgh Penguins | 5 | 2017 to 2021 | - | $7,125,000$7.1m |
| 194 | Alex Petrovic | Dallas Stars | 7 | 2011 to 2020 | - | $7,003,101$7.0m |
| 195 | Matt Bartkowski | Minnesota Wild | 10 | 2010 to 2020 | - | $6,984,508$7.0m |
| 196 | Scott Harrington | Columbus Blue Jackets | 6 | 2016 to 2021 | - | $6,882,500$6.9m |
| 197 | Dante Fabbro | Nashville Predators | 5 | 2018 to 2022 | - | $6,791,736$6.8m |
| 198 | Juuso Valimaki | Arizona Coyotes | 6 | 2018 to 2023 | - | $6,548,168$6.5m |
| 199 | Robert Hagg | Philadelphia Flyers | 5 | 2016 to 2021 | - | $6,425,000$6.4m |
| 200 | Haydn Fleury | Tampa Bay Lightning | 7 | 2017 to 2023 | - | $6,400,440$6.4m |
| 201 | Gabriel Carlsson | Columbus Blue Jackets | 6 | 2016 to 2021 | - | $6,349,552$6.3m |
| 202 | Chad Ruhwedel | Pittsburgh Penguins | 9 | 2015 to 2023 | - | $6,300,000$6.3m |
| 203 | Slater Koekkoek | Edmonton Oilers | 8 | 2014 to 2022 | - | $6,263,073$6.3m |
| 204 | Joshua Brown | Arizona Coyotes | 6 | 2018 to 2023 | - | $6,072,895$6.1m |
| 205 | Dean Kukan | Columbus Blue Jackets | 7 | 2015 to 2021 | - | $6,022,600$6.0m |
| 206 | Connor Carrick | Boston Bruins | 6 | 2015 to 2020 | - | $5,939,865$5.9m |
| 207 | Artem Zub | Ottawa Senators | 3 | 2020 to 2022 | - | $5,566,182$5.6m |
| 208 | Steven Santini | St Louis Blues | 7 | 2016 to 2022 | - | $5,564,788$5.6m |
| 209 | Jani Hakanpaa | Dallas Stars | 5 | 2019 to 2023 | - | $5,254,570$5.3m |
| 210 | Travis Dermott | Vancouver Canucks | 5 | 2017 to 2022 | - | $5,195,341$5.2m |
| 211 | Jacob Bryson | Buffalo Sabres | 4 | 2020 to 2023 | - | $5,176,828$5.2m |
| 212 | Martin Marincin | Toronto Maple Leafs | 6 | 2015 to 2020 | - | $5,163,899$5.2m |
| 213 | Brad Hunt | Colorado Avalanche | 8 | 2015 to 2022 | - | $5,076,981$5.1m |
| 214 | Riley Stillman | Chicago Blackhawks | 6 | 2018 to 2023 | - | $4,994,591$5.0m |
| 215 | Kurtis Macdermid | Colorado Avalanche | 7 | 2017 to 2023 | - | $4,931,775$4.9m |
| 216 | Alex Biega | Toronto Maple Leafs | 7 | 2015 to 2021 | - | $4,846,607$4.8m |
| 217 | Jacob Larsson | Anaheim Ducks | 5 | 2016 to 2021 | - | $4,800,548$4.8m |
| 218 | Steven Kampfer | Detroit Red Wings | 9 | 2013 to 2022 | - | $4,616,511$4.6m |
| 219 | Xavier Ouellet | Montreal Canadiens | 7 | 2013 to 2020 | - | $4,426,269$4.4m |
| 220 | Christian Djoos | Detroit Red Wings | 5 | 2016 to 2020 | - | $4,380,000$4.4m |
| 221 | Timothy Liljegren | Toronto Maple Leafs | 5 | 2019 to 2023 | - | $4,358,012$4.4m |
| 222 | Derrick Pouliot | Philadelphia Flyers | 6 | 2015 to 2020 | - | $4,287,578$4.3m |
| 223 | Brandon Davidson | Buffalo Sabres | 6 | 2015 to 2020 | - | $4,216,190$4.2m |
| 224 | Jonas Siegenthaler | New Jersey Devils | 5 | 2018 to 2022 | - | $4,131,440$4.1m |
| 225 | Juuso Riikola | Pittsburgh Penguins | 4 | 2018 to 2021 | - | $4,082,937$4.1m |
| 226 | Victor Mete | Ottawa Senators | 5 | 2017 to 2021 | - | $4,016,339$4.0m |
| 227 | Fredrik Claesson | Tampa Bay Lightning | 7 | 2015 to 2021 | - | $3,999,099$4.0m |
| 228 | Connor Clifton | Boston Bruins | 5 | 2018 to 2022 | - | $3,960,870$4.0m |
| 229 | Jakub Zboril | Boston Bruins | 5 | 2018 to 2023 | - | $3,838,263$3.8m |
| 230 | Caleb Jones | Chicago Blackhawks | 5 | 2018 to 2022 | - | $3,813,982$3.8m |
| 231 | Urho Vaakanainen | Anaheim Ducks | 6 | 2018 to 2023 | - | $3,784,372$3.8m |
| 232 | Anthony Bitetto | San Jose Sharks | 7 | 2014 to 2020 | - | $3,601,349$3.6m |
| 233 | Matt Tennyson | Nashville Predators | 9 | 2012 to 2021 | - | $3,598,142$3.6m |
| 234 | Joel Hanley | Dallas Stars | 8 | 2015 to 2022 | - | $3,463,995$3.5m |
| 235 | Samuel Morin | Philadelphia Flyers | 6 | 2016 to 2021 | - | $3,420,331$3.4m |
| 236 | Joakim Ryan | Carolina Hurricanes | 5 | 2016 to 2020 | - | $3,397,110$3.4m |
| 237 | Ben Harpur | Nashville Predators | 6 | 2015 to 2021 | - | $3,357,656$3.4m |
| 238 | Mark Friedman | Pittsburgh Penguins | 6 | 2018 to 2023 | - | $3,320,358$3.3m |
| 239 | Taylor Fedun | Pittsburgh Penguins | 7 | 2013 to 2021 | - | $3,204,619$3.2m |
| 240 | Jarred Tinordi | Chicago Blackhawks | 5 | 2015 to 2022 | - | $3,174,117$3.2m |
| 241 | Colton White | Anaheim Ducks | 6 | 2018 to 2023 | - | $3,134,129$3.1m |
| 242 | Evan Bouchard | Edmonton Oilers | 5 | 2018 to 2022 | - | $2,959,519$3.0m |
| 243 | Dan Renouf | Boston Bruins | 6 | 2016 to 2023 | - | $2,930,942$2.9m |
| 244 | Ville Heinola | Winnipeg Jets | 4 | 2019 to 2022 | - | $2,904,804$2.9m |
| 245 | Mario Ferraro | San Jose Sharks | 3 | 2019 to 2021 | - | $2,775,000$2.8m |
| 246 | William Borgen | Seattle Kraken | 5 | 2018 to 2022 | - | $2,774,701$2.8m |
| 247 | Madison Bowey | Montreal Canadiens | 5 | 2017 to 2021 | - | $2,727,274$2.7m |
| 248 | K'Andre Miller | New York Rangers | 3 | 2020 to 2022 | - | $2,660,200$2.7m |
| 249 | Andrew Peeke | Columbus Blue Jackets | 5 | 2018 to 2022 | - | $2,632,905$2.6m |
| 250 | Noah Dobson | New York Islanders | 3 | 2019 to 2021 | - | $2,625,116$2.6m |
| 251 | Sami Niku | Montreal Canadiens | 5 | 2017 to 2021 | - | $2,613,780$2.6m |
| 252 | Bowen Byram | Colorado Avalanche | 3 | 2020 to 2022 | - | $2,603,585$2.6m |
| 253 | Ty Smith | New Jersey Devils | 3 | 2020 to 2022 | - | $2,590,000$2.6m |
| 254 | Nikolai Knyzhov | San Jose Sharks | 4 | 2019 to 2022 | - | $2,557,980$2.6m |
| 255 | Jalen Chatfield | Carolina Hurricanes | 6 | 2018 to 2023 | - | $2,532,115$2.5m |
| 256 | Alex Carrier | Nashville Predators | 4 | 2016 to 2022 | - | $2,508,074$2.5m |
| 257 | Conor Timmins | Toronto Maple Leafs | 4 | 2019 to 2022 | - | $2,464,485$2.5m |
| 258 | Brendan Guhle | Anaheim Ducks | 6 | 2016 to 2021 | - | $2,434,655$2.4m |
| 259 | Tobias Bjornfot | Los Angeles Kings | 3 | 2020 to 2022 | - | $2,381,098$2.4m |
| 260 | Cal Foote | Tampa Bay Lightning | 3 | 2020 to 2022 | - | $2,366,660$2.4m |
| 261 | Jamie Drysdale | Anaheim Ducks | 3 | 2020 to 2022 | - | $2,349,174$2.3m |
| 262 | Logan Stanley | Winnipeg Jets | 3 | 2020 to 2022 | - | $2,288,036$2.3m |
| 263 | Thomas Harley | Dallas Stars | 4 | 2020 to 2023 | - | $2,279,072$2.3m |
| 264 | Rasmus Sandin | Toronto Maple Leafs | 3 | 2019 to 2021 | - | $2,275,220$2.3m |
| 265 | Gustav Lindstrom | Detroit Red Wings | 4 | 2019 to 2022 | - | $2,263,901$2.3m |
| 266 | Calen Addison | Minnesota Wild | 3 | 2020 to 2022 | - | $2,167,720$2.2m |
| 267 | Nikita Nesterov | Calgary Flames | 3 | 2015 to 2020 | - | $2,137,124$2.1m |
| 268 | Michael Anderson | Los Angeles Kings | 3 | 2019 to 2021 | - | $2,108,112$2.1m |
| 269 | Noah Juulsen | Vancouver Canucks | 4 | 2017 to 2021 | - | $2,087,462$2.1m |
| 270 | Joshua Mahura | Anaheim Ducks | 5 | 2018 to 2022 | - | $2,060,818$2.1m |
| 271 | Christian Jaros | New Jersey Devils | 5 | 2017 to 2021 | - | $2,042,334$2.0m |
| 272 | Dennis Cholowski | Seattle Kraken | 4 | 2018 to 2021 | - | $1,977,198$2.0m |
| 273 | Kevin Czuczman | Minnesota Wild | 5 | 2013 to 2021 | - | $1,962,401$2.0m |
| 274 | Aaron Ness | Arizona Coyotes | 5 | 2016 to 2020 | - | $1,917,116$1.9m |
| 275 | Lucas Carlsson | Florida Panthers | 4 | 2019 to 2022 | - | $1,914,851$1.9m |
| 276 | William Lagesson | Carolina Hurricanes | 3 | 2019 to 2021 | - | $1,879,750$1.9m |
| 277 | Kale Clague | Buffalo Sabres | 4 | 2019 to 2022 | - | $1,871,550$1.9m |
| 278 | Christian Wolanin | Los Angeles Kings | 4 | 2018 to 2021 | - | $1,867,087$1.9m |
| 279 | Simon Benoit | Anaheim Ducks | 4 | 2019 to 2022 | - | $1,864,828$1.9m |
| 280 | Otto Leskinen | Montreal Canadiens | 2 | 2019 to 2020 | - | $1,850,000$1.8m |
| 281 | Erik Brannstrom | Ottawa Senators | 4 | 2018 to 2021 | - | $1,830,355$1.8m |
| 282 | Gavin Bayreuther | Columbus Blue Jackets | 5 | 2018 to 2022 | - | $1,829,116$1.8m |
| 283 | Alexander Romanov | Montreal Canadiens | 2 | 2020 to 2021 | - | $1,828,501$1.8m |
| 284 | Ian Mitchell | Chicago Blackhawks | 3 | 2020 to 2022 | - | $1,812,780$1.8m |
| 285 | Dylan Coghlan | Carolina Hurricanes | 3 | 2020 to 2022 | - | $1,802,564$1.8m |
| 286 | Niko Mikkola | St Louis Blues | 4 | 2018 to 2021 | - | $1,788,695$1.8m |
| 287 | Dennis Gilbert | Calgary Flames | 4 | 2018 to 2022 | - | $1,775,690$1.8m |
| 288 | Brady Keeper | Vancouver Canucks | 4 | 2018 to 2022 | - | $1,738,824$1.7m |
| 289 | Jacob MacDonald | San Jose Sharks | 4 | 2018 to 2022 | - | $1,689,316$1.7m |
| 290 | Zach Trotman | Pittsburgh Penguins | 6 | 2013 to 2020 | - | $1,681,325$1.7m |
| 291 | Nicholas Meloche | New Jersey Devils | 4 | 2019 to 2022 | - | $1,680,174$1.7m |
| 292 | Libor Hajek | New York Rangers | 3 | 2018 to 2021 | - | $1,579,787$1.6m |
| 293 | Kyle Burroughs | Vancouver Canucks | 3 | 2020 to 2022 | - | $1,548,272$1.5m |
| 294 | Kyle Capobianco | Arizona Coyotes | 5 | 2017 to 2021 | - | $1,543,422$1.5m |
| 295 | Nicolas Hague | Vegas Golden Knights | 3 | 2019 to 2021 | - | $1,490,008$1.5m |
| 296 | Jake Walman | St Louis Blues | 4 | 2017 to 2021 | - | $1,413,033$1.4m |
| 297 | Jacob Middleton | Minnesota Wild | 4 | 2018 to 2021 | - | $1,409,837$1.4m |
| 298 | Louis Belpedio | Philadelphia Flyers | 5 | 2017 to 2021 | - | $1,340,725 |
| 299 | Jeremy Davies | Buffalo Sabres | 3 | 2020 to 2022 | - | $1,340,423 |
| 300 | Connor Mackey | Calgary Flames | 3 | 2020 to 2022 | - | $1,333,666 |
| 301 | Cameron York | Philadelphia Flyers | 3 | 2020 to 2022 | - | $1,313,078 |
| 302 | Trevor Carrick | Anaheim Ducks | 7 | 2015 to 2022 | - | $1,284,800 |
| 303 | Nicolas Beaudin | Chicago Blackhawks | 3 | 2019 to 2021 | - | $1,244,232 |
| 304 | Olli Juolevi | Anaheim Ducks | 2 | 2020 to 2021 | - | $1,238,036 |
| 305 | Matt Kiersted | Florida Panthers | 2 | 2020 to 2021 | - | $1,228,690 |
| 306 | Jacob Bernard-Docker | Ottawa Senators | 2 | 2020 to 2021 | - | $1,204,102 |
| 307 | Alec Regula | Chicago Blackhawks | 3 | 2020 to 2022 | - | $1,188,626 |
| 308 | Austin Strand | Anaheim Ducks | 3 | 2020 to 2022 | - | $1,164,476 |
| 309 | Jordan Gross | Colorado Avalanche | 3 | 2019 to 2021 | - | $1,149,384 |
| 310 | Ashton Sautner | Vancouver Canucks | 5 | 2017 to 2021 | - | $1,144,161 |
| 311 | Dakota Mermis | Minnesota Wild | 4 | 2017 to 2020 | - | $1,100,533 |
| 312 | Pierre-Olivier Joseph | Pittsburgh Penguins | 2 | 2020 to 2021 | - | $1,098,049 |
| 313 | Wyatt Kalynuk | Chicago Blackhawks | 2 | 2020 to 2021 | - | $1,096,447 |
| 314 | Andreas Borgman | Dallas Stars | 2 | 2017 to 2020 | - | $1,091,483 |
| 315 | Guillaume Brisebois | Vancouver Canucks | 4 | 2018 to 2021 | - | $1,068,219 |
| 316 | Mark Alt | Los Angeles Kings | 3 | 2017 to 2020 | - | $1,036,849 |
| 317 | Kodie Curran | Anaheim Ducks | 1 | 2020 | - | $1,000,000 |
| 318 | Andy Welinski | New York Rangers | 4 | 2017 to 2020 | - | $991,210 |
| 319 | Kevin Bahl | New Jersey Devils | 2 | 2020 to 2021 | - | $983,272 |
| 320 | Tyler Lewington | Boston Bruins | 4 | 2018 to 2021 | - | $971,583 |
| 321 | Sean Durzi | Los Angeles Kings | 2 | 2020 to 2021 | - | $947,068 |
| 322 | Joey Keane | Carolina Hurricanes | 3 | 2019 to 2021 | - | $944,797 |
| 323 | Olle Alsing | Ottawa Senators | 1 | 2020 | - | $925,000 |
| 324 | Grant Hutton | New York Islanders | 2 | 2020 to 2021 | - | $870,680 |
| 325 | Daniel Brickley | Los Angeles Kings | 2 | 2018 to 2020 | - | $855,164 |
| 326 | Yegor Zamula | Philadelphia Flyers | 2 | 2020 to 2021 | - | $812,068 |
| 327 | Nick DeSimone | Calgary Flames | 4 | 2018 to 2022 | - | $795,090 |
| 328 | Mac Hollowell | Toronto Maple Leafs | 1 | 2020 | - | $783,000 |
| 329 | Mikko Lehtonen | Columbus Blue Jackets | 1 | 2020 | - | $659,483 |
| 330 | Will Reilly | Pittsburgh Penguins | 1 | 2020 | - | $454,108 |
| 331 | Jack Ahcan | Boston Bruins | 2 | 2020 to 2021 | - | $399,894 |
| 332 | Victor Soderstrom | Arizona Coyotes | 2 | 2020 to 2021 | - | $385,107 |
| 333 | Jack Rathbone | Vancouver Canucks | 2 | 2020 to 2021 | - | $329,123 |
| 334 | David Farrance | Nashville Predators | 1 | 2020 | - | $286,279 |
| 335 | Ben Thomas | Tampa Bay Lightning | 1 | 2020 | - | $200,000 |
| 336 | Brogan Rafferty | Seattle Kraken | 3 | 2018 to 2021 | - | $158,947 |
| 337 | Kristians Rubins | Ottawa Senators | 2 | 2020 to 2021 | - | $156,034 |
| 338 | Tarmo Reunanen | New York Rangers | 1 | 2020 | - | $146,806 |
| 339 | Brinson Pasichnuk | San Jose Sharks | 1 | 2020 | - | $121,208 |
| 340 | Keaton Middleton | Colorado Avalanche | 1 | 2020 | - | $19,203 |
| 341 | Frederic Allard | Nashville Predators | 1 | 2020 | - | $12,068 |
Defenseman money by season
What these careers were paid, year by year
$25m 07
$47m 08
$66m 09
$101m 10
$160m 11
$171m 12
$250m 13
$313m 14
$389m 15
$495m 16
$577m 17
$674m 18
$759m 19
$722m 20
$801m 21
$733m 22
$666m 23
$467m 24
$325m 25
$221m 26
2021-22 is the biggest year on this chart at $801,024,888. 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 Defenseman in the NHL?
Drew Doughty. His contracts are worth $143,929,878 across 19 seasons from 2008 to 2026.
What have NHL defensemans earned?
$8,240,947,514 across 341 careers, an average of $24,167,002 each. That is 31.2% of every dollar in the NHL file.
How does that rank?
Defenseman is 2 of 5 positions by total career money, behind Center on $8,367,669,070 and ahead of Left Wing on $4,081,473,113.
How many are still being paid?
36 of the 341 have a figure against the 2026-27 season, and $256,680,951 is written into deals that run past it.
What counts towards a position total?
Every career filed at defenseman 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
Center · 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