Highest Paid NHL Defensemen: Rasmus Dahlin Tops The List

In the NHL, defensemen try to stop opposing teams from scoring by blocking shots and not allowing shots to reach the netminder. They are also tasked with getting heavily involved offensively.

The top 10 defensemen get paid $11 million or more, more than the highest paid goalie will make during the 2024-25 NHL season.

We take a look at the top 10 highest paid defensemen in the NHL for the 2024-25 NHL season.

Top 10 Highest Paid Defensemen In The NHL For The 2024-25 NHL Season

Defensemen have a tough role in the NHL. They need to play defense but also contribute significantly on offense. They get paid more than goalies but less than forwards.

Below are the top 10 highest paid defensemen for the 2024-25 NHL season, based on total cash and using cap hit as a tiebreaker.

1. Rasmus Dahlin, Buffalo Sabres ($13,000,000)

Rasmus Dahlin is the highest paid defenseman and ranks second in cap hit ($11,000,000).

Dahlin has played 78 games or more in each of the last three seasons and has recorded over 50 points in each of those seasons.

He has spent his entire seven-year career with the Buffalo Sabres.

Dahlin ranked tied for third in goals and was 10th in points among defensemen last year.

Dahlin is among the top defensemen in the league.

2. Dougie Hamilton, New Jersey Devils ($12,600,000)

Dougie Hamilton is the second highest paid defenseman and ranks 10th in cap hit ($9,000,000).

Hamilton has bounced around teams. He was drafted in the first round in the 2011 NHL Draft by the Boston Bruins. Hamilton spent two years with Boston before going to Calgary for three years. After spending three seasons with the Flames, he spent three years with the Carolina Hurricanes. Currently, Hamilton is on the New Jersey Devils.

Last season, Hamilton was only able to suit up for 20 games but recorded 16 points. Two seasons ago, Hamilton suited up in all 82 games for the Devils and recorded 74 points.

Hamilton is one of the best offensive defensemen in the league.

3. Alex Pietrangelo, Vegas Golden Knights ($12,600,000)

Alex Pietrangelo is the third highest paid defenseman and ranks 12th in cap hit ($8,800,000).

He has been in the NHL since the 2013-14 NHL season and has been on two teams throughout his career. Pietrangelo was drafted in the first round of the 2008 NHL Draft by the St. Louis Blues. He spent seven seasons with St. Louis. This is his fifth season as a member of the Vegas Golden Knights.

With Vegas, Pietrangelo has only recorded 50 or more points once. He is not as involved offensively as the top two defensemen on the list.

Despite not putting up offensive numbers, Pietrangelo is a very good defenseman.

4. Seth Jones, Chicago Blackhawks ($12,500,000)

Seth Jones is the fourth highest paid defenseman and ranks fifth in cap hit ($9,500,000).

He has been in the NHL since the 2013-14 NHL season and has been on three teams throughout his career. Jones was drafted in the first round of the 2013 NHL Draft by the Nashville Predators. He spent three seasons with Nashville. After Nashville, he spent six seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets. This is his fourth season as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks.

Throughout his career, Jones has only recorded 50 or more points in two seasons.

Similarly to Pietrangelo, Jones does not put up many offensive numbers but he is a consistent defenseman.

5. Adam Fox, New York Rangers ($12,000,000)

Adam Fox is the fifth highest paid defenseman and ranks fifth in cap hit ($9,500,000).

Fox was drafted by the New York Rangers in the 2016 NHL Draft and has spent his entire career with the Rangers.

Over the last three seasons, Fox has recorded over 70 points in each season. He has established himself as one of the top offensive defensemen in the league. Last season, Fox ranked sixth in goals and points and eighth in assists among defensemen in the league.

Fox is one of the best defensemen in the league.

6. Darnell Nurse, Edmonton Oilers ($12,000,000)

Darnell Nurse is the sixth highest paid defenseman and ranks eighth in cap hit ($9,250,000).

Nurse was drafted in the first round of the 2013 NHL Draft by the Edmonton Oilers and he has spent his entire career with the Oilers.

He is overshadowed by teammate Evan Bouchard, who contributes heavily offensively. Nurse does not but he is a very good defenseman. Nurse has never recorded 50 points in an NHL season.

7. Zachary Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets ($11,500,000)

Zachary Werenski is the seventh highest paid defenseman and ranks fourth in cap hit ($9,583,333).

Werenski was drafted in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets and he has spent his entire career with the Jackets.

He is another defenseman on the list who does not post offensive numbers. Weresnki has had one season of recording over 50 points in a season.

8. Charlie Mcavoy, Boston Bruins ($11,500,000)

Charlie Mcavoy is the eighth highest paid defenseman and ranks fifth in cap hit ($9,500,000).

Mcavoy was drafted in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft by the Boston Bruins and he has spent his entire career with the Bruins.

He is another defenseman on the list who does not post offensive numbers. Mcavoy has had two seasons of recording over 50 points in a season.

9. Mikhail Sergachev, Utah Hockey Club ($11,050,000)

Mikhail Sergachev is the ninth highest paid defenseman and ranks 14th in cap hit ($8,500,000).

Sergachev was drafted in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft by the Montreal Canadiens. He spent just one season with the Habs and played in just four games for Montreal. After Montreal, he spent seven seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning. His best season came in 2022-23 where he recorded 64 points in 79 games played. Sergachev is currently on the Utah Hockey Club.

10. Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings ($11,000,000)

Drew Doughty is the 10th highest paid defenseman but ranks second in cap hit ($11,000,000).

Doughty was drafted in the first round of the 2008 NHL Draft by the Los Angeles Kings and he has spent his entire career with the Kings. He has been a consistent presence for the Kings throughout his career.