A goalie can really be the difference maker come playoff time for an NHL team. It is the goaltender who can impact the game more than any other player on the ice, and because of it some of the best in the league sign some of the highest contracts in the NHL.
Entering the 2024-25 NHL Season, there are a handful of teams looking to take a step forward this season. Teams like the New Jersey Devils traded for goaltender Jacob Markstrom, in order to improve their chances of competing this season.
According to Puck Pedia, the average cap hit for an NHL goaltender is $4.5 million a season, the highest paid goaltenders are making well north of that number and a few have won a Stanley Cup as well.
5. Ilya Sorokin
Ilya Sorokin was drafted in the third round of the 2014 NHL Draft by the New York Islanders. The 29 year old goalie played in 56 games last season and has long been one of the best players on the New York Islanders.
Sorokin signed an eight year $66 million contract carrying a cap hit of $8.25 on July 1, 2023. This season will be his first year playing with the new deal. Last year he registered a 3.01 goals against average and a .909 save percentage.
4. Connor Hellebuyck
Winnipeg Jets netminder Connor Hellebuyck has long been one of the best goaltenders in the NHL. The 31 year old netminder is entering the first year of a seven year contract he signed in Oct. 2023.
The $59.50 million contract carries a cap hit of $8.5 million, giving him a spot over Sorokin by a quarter a million in a season. Hellebuyck has played in 60 or more games in each of the past three seasons and has long been one of the best netminders in the NHL.