Leon Draisaitl vs. Brad Marchand: Salary growth, contracts, and NHL earnings explained

In the NHL, contract values and cumulative earnings create a wider picture than just single-season paychecks. When looking at two top forwards, Leon Draisaitl and Brad Marchand, not only are revealed but also the financial journey of each player showing his role, timing, and team value. They both have been major contributors to the NHL; however, the differences in the way their salaries have increased indicate very clearly that there have been different opportunities and leverage for each player.The contracts of Draisaitl indicate a payment that is in line with modern superstars, whereas Marchand's was a slower climb through the ranks of many seasons. In order to really find out who is the winner in the salary race, it is necessary to consider not only career earnings but also contract history and future projections, all of which are backed up by reliable sources like Spotrac, NHLPA, and ESPN.Based on Spotrac’s report, Draisaitl’s salary in the NHL will be almost $69.75 million. He worked with early contracts that included very small entry-level salaries; however, everything changed when he signed an eight-year, $68 million contract with the Edmonton Oilers in 2017. The agreement came with a cap hit and salary strategy of $8.5 million average annual value (AAV). For 2024–25, his salary amounted to $8 million, and his cap hit was $8.5 million.Draisaitl’s eight-year, $112 million extension will start in 2025-26, according to Spotrac. The deal consists of a signing bonus of $104 million and an AAV of $14 million, with cash payments of $16.5 million every year for the first three years. As per NHLPA and ESPN, Brad Marchand's total earning is approximately $79.44 million . His growth included the first few years with minimal pay that went up slowly, and finally, he got to the top of an eight-year $49 million contract with the Boston Bruins in 2016 which was an average of $6.125 million per year. Marchand also accepted a six-year deal with the Florida Panthers in 2025, worth $31.5 million, that provided him with financial security in his late 30s.As per Spotrac/NHLPA, Marchand’s earnings for the 2024–25 season are estimated to be as $1 million as a base with a cap hit of $6.125 million, showing how the contract structure can be different from the overall cash received.Right now, Brad Marchand's leads in the total career earnings. due to his having a longer NHL career. However, Leon Draisaitl will be able to catch up with him quite fast thanks to his new contract that will come into effect in 2025–26.