{
  "id": 4053673,
  "title": "Who are the NHL's highest-paid players in 2026-27? See full breakdown",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/who-are-the-nhls-highest-paid-players-in-2026-27-see-full-breakdown",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-28T23:07:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/nhls-highest-paid-players-2026-230718563.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The NHL is experiencing a record-breaking surge in player salaries, with Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar setting a new standard. Minnesota Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov, originally set to have a $17 million cap hit, was surpassed by Anaheim forward Leo Carlsson, who signed an eight-year, $90 million offer sheet. The San Jose Sharks then matched that with a five-year, $94 million extension for Macklin Celebrini, while Makar himself broke the record with a remarkable eight-year, $163.2 million deal ($20.4 million average). These deals, starting in the 2027-28 season, signify the significant rise in individual player contracts, driven by the increasing NHL salary cap. The top average in the 2022-23 season stood at $12.5 million, surpassed by seven different players this year. Makar's new deal makes him the first NHL player to reach the $20 million cap hit, nearing the $20.8 million maximum.",
  "summary": "Anaheim Ducks forward Leo Carlsson is the highest-paid player in 2026-27, but Macklin Celebrini and Cale Makar will pass him next season.",
  "key_points": [
    "Cale Makar signs $163.2M, $20.4M average deal for 8 years",
    "Leo Carlsson becomes highest-paid player at $90M for 8 years",
    "Makar reaches $20M cap hit, near $20.8M maximum"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}