July 1st was the beginning of what was the biggest spending spree in NHL history as over $1 billion in total money was spent on day one of free agency. This summer it was announced that the salary cap would increase to $88 million, up $4.4 million, making it the reason why game-changing money was given out more than ever before. To lay the groundwork, the Florida Panthers came to an eight-year agreement with Sam Reinhart on the night before free agency, signing him to a $69 million deal ($8.625 million AAV).
To recap all of the deals that were made in a wild frenzy, these were the highest-paid free agent players (UFAs) in 2024 based on average annual value (AAV).
Highest-paid Players in 2024 NHL Free Agency
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1. Steven Stamkos; Nashville Predators
- $8,000,000 AAV
After 1,082 games over 16 NHL seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Steven Stamkos takes his talents to the Nashville Predators after signing a four-year, $32 million contract with an AAV of $8 million. He tallied 555 goals and 582 assists for 1,137 points in his career for Tampa while winning two Stanley Cups. Stamkos headlines a great free agent class for Nashville and is showing no signs of slowing down coming off a 40-goal season in 2023-24.
2. Elias Lindholm; Boston Bruins
- $7,750,000 AAV
Not only did Elias Lindholm sign the second-biggest contract in terms of average annual value with the Boston Bruins ($7.75 million), but he signed the biggest overall contract value in free agency, signing a seven-year deal that totals $54.25 million. Lindholm was the best center on the market with his two-way ability at both ends of the ice. He’s shown he can put up 40-50+ points while improving the Bruins’ defensive game. Last season he was traded from the Calgary Flames to the Vancouver Canucks, tallying 44 points. Lindholm is looking to come into next season healthy and pick up where he left off in last season’s playoffs.
3. Brandon Montour; Seattle Kraken
- $7,142,857 AAV
The last three seasons for Brandon Montour are the reason why he signed a seven-year, $7.14 million AAV contract with the Seattle Kraken this offseason. He had 30+ points in all three of those seasons, which includes tallying a career-best 73 points in 2022-23. This while helping the Florida Panthers get to the Stanley Cup Final two years in a row, winning it all last season. He will play his ninth year and beyond in Seattle, where his veteran presence as the top pairing on the blue line will provide some offensive help.
4. Brady Skjei; Nashville Predators
- $7,000,000 AAV
Stamkos wasn’t the only free agent the Predators paid big money to as they gave defenseman Brady Skjei $7 million per year over seven years, which makes him the third-highest-paid player overall in terms of total money ($49 million). This comes after a career-high in points with 47 (13 goals, 34 assists) and logging over 20 minutes of ice time for his seventh consecutive year. He’s reliable and has the all-around ability that will make him a big upgrade for Nashville.
5. Tyler Toffoli; San Jose Sharks
- $6,000,000 AAV
To everyone’s surprise, the San Jose Sharks went out into the waters of free agency and snagged Tyler Toffoli for $6 million annually over four years. With a full rebuild, Toffoli will bring the veteran presence this young team needs moving forward while also giving the Sharks a scoring threat in the meantime. Last season, he put up 55 points with 33 goals for New Jersey and Winnipeg. That gives him eight seasons of 40+ points in his 12-year career, including doing so in his last five seasons.
6. Matt Roy; Washington Capitals
- $5,750,000 AAV
Matt Roy is the sixth highest-paid defenseman in 2024 NHL free agency annually and fifth in total value. He signed with the Washington Capitals for six years at $38.5 million with a yearly total of $5.75 million. The 29-year-old has played all of his six years in the league for the Los Angeles Kings thus far, accumulating 24 goals and 82 assists for 106 points. Last season Roy set a career-high in assists with 20 and was one point off of his career-high (26) with 25.
7. Jake DeBrusk; Vancouver Canucks
- $5,500,000 AAV
Another talent leaving his long-time team is Jake DeBrusk, who’s spent his seven-year career with the Boston Bruins. He’s just one of four players this offseason to sign a seven-year deal, getting $5.5 million annually with the Vancouver Canucks. DeBrusk tallied 40 or more points in five of his seven seasons and is a versatile winger, making him a big attraction on the market. He’s just 27 years old and has room to bring out more consistency on a talented team in Vancouver.
8. Brett Pesce; New Jersey Devils
- $5,500,000 AAV
After spending his entire nine-year career with the Hurricanes, Brett Pesce signed a six-year, $33 million contract with the New Jersey Devils. Pesce is reliable and has logged over 20 minutes in each season after his rookie year. He will add the necessary piece to a team lacking depth on the blue line.
9. Jonathan Marchessault; Nashville Predators
- $5,500,000 AAV
In addition to Stamkos receiving $8 million a year and Skjei $7 million a year, the Predators went out and gave Jonathan Marchessault $5.5 million per season over five years. Marchessault was an original Golden Knight, spending seven years in Vegas. He’s their franchise leader in goals, assists, and points while winning the Conn Smythe on their way to the Stanley Cup in 2023. Last season, Marchessault set a career-high in goals with 42. There’s questions to if the contract will age well or not in the final years but right now, Marchessault can still go and add to a very talented Predators team.
10. Sean Monahan; Columbus Blue Jackets
- $5,500,000 AAV
Desperately in need of depth down the middle, the Columbus Blue Jackets went out and signed Sean Monahan to a five-year, $5.5 million AAV deal. With the exception of hip surgeries in 2021 and 2022 and a season-ending lower-body injury in the 2022-23 season, Monahan has been a reliable 25-30 goal scorer and a 50-60 point getter. Even with those injuries, he came back last season with a 26-goal and 59-point performance with Montreal and Winnipeg. If he can stay healthy, he could do great things when paired with old Flames teammate Johnny Gaudreau.
11. Tyler Bertuzzi; Chicago Blackhawks
- $5,500,000 AAV
The Chicago Blackhawks had a little flurry of movement in NHL free agency to help out their generational talent Connor Bedard. One of the pieces they got was forward Tyler Bertuzzi, who they signed to a four-year deal worth $22 million. For the Toronto Maple Leafs last season, he scored 21 goals to go along with 22 assists for 43 points. His leadership skills and his hard work on the ice will pay dividends for a rebuilding Chicago team.
12. Teuvo Teravainen; Chicago Blackhawks
- $5,400,000 AAV
Joining Bertuzzi in Chicago is Teuvo Teravainen, who actually started his career with the Blackhawks as the 18th overall pick in 2012. He was there for three seasons and then got shipped off to Carolina, where he’s been ever since, until now. Teravainen inked a deal for three years at $5.4 million annually. He’s had six seasons with 40-plus points, four of those being 60-plus. In 2023-24, he scored 25 goals and tallied 53 points. Teravainen’s versatility and experience will also help a team like Chicago in its rebuilding phase.
Main Image: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
