15 Underpaid NHL Stars in 2022-23

Some players sign longer deals and then break out in a big way, while others sign contracts they can't live up to. Some players take bridge deals in hopes of earning a bigger pay raise by the end of their contracts. Fifteen players in the NHL are underpaid this upcoming season.

Evander Kane signed a four-year contract with the Edmonton Oilers worth $5.125 million. He scored 39 goals and 22 points in 43 games last season. Kane also scored 13 goals in 15 games in the playoffs.

Nathan MacKinnon is entering the final year of his current contract. He is one of the most underpaid players in the NHL. He helped the Colorado Avalanche take home the Stanley Cup. His next contract may make him the highest-paid player in NHL, as he hints.

Jonathan Huberdeau has been an offensive force in the NHL since he was a rookie. He has posted 346 points in 286 games in four seasons. Huerdeur finished second in NHL in scoring last season with 85 assists. His next contract with the Calgary Flames will nearly double his current AAV for eight more seasons, making him one of the most expensive NHL players.

Mark Scheifele has recorded at least a point per game in six consecutive seasons. He signed an eight-year deal with the Winnipeg Jets in the offseason. His cap hit is $6.125 million AAV.

Drake Batherson is underpaid at $4.975 million for five more years. He had a great season last year and scored 44 points in 46 games. Baterson will have a better top-six group to play with in 2022-23.

Tage Thompson signed a new contract with the Buffalo Sabres. He will earn $7.143 million AAV in 2023-24. Last season he scored 38 goals and 68 points in 78 games.

David Pastrnak is going to get paid after this upcoming season. He has to decide if he wants to stay with the Boston Bruins or another team. Pastnak has a contract worth $6.67 million AAV. Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci and Brad Marchand are on one-year contracts.

Brad Marchand is underpaid his entire contract. He is one of the Bruins' leaders. March and his team are going to take their last runs at another Cup with him. He has scored 198 goals and 506 points in 420 games over the past six seasons.

Jake Guentzel is a winger who plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He signed a five-year, $30 million deal in the midst of his big breakout season. The following three seasons have only seen him elevate his game further and record more than a point per game in each. His contract is for two more seasons at $6 million AAV.

Jordan Kyrou and Robert Thomas have identical eight-year, $65 million contracts. They are entering the final year of their two-years-old contracts, which have a $2.8 million AAV cap hit. Kyrarou played last season with 27 goals and 75 points in 74 games, but he only played 16:30 of ice time per game.

Robert Thomas is a playmaker who played more than Jordan Kyrou last season. Thomas scored 20 goals and 77 points in 72 games. He will play second-line centre for the Blues. Kyra will move to the top line.

Leon Draisaitl is one of the best players in the NHL but he's underpaid. He's five years into an eight-year deal. Draiisaiert is 39th highest-paid player in NHL.

Devon Toews is the only player on this list who's underpaid. Toks has been playing for Colorado since coming over two seasons ago. He's the fifth highest-paid defender in the NHL.

Miller will earn $5.25 million per season after signing a new contract with the Canucks. He led the team in goals, assists and points last season. He will get a raise after the extension kicks in next year.

Alex DeBrincat is one of the highest-paid players in the NHL. He is a two-time 40-goal scorer, plays physical but clean, and logs a lot of minutes. Debrincats team has not finished better than sixth in division while he has been in NHL and he will get a raise after this season.