HIGHLIGHTS
- In this piece, we’re looking at the highest-paid coaches in the NHL
- While a lot of the contract numbers are kept private, Mike Sullivan and Jon Cooper are towards the top
- Read below for the full list
To win a Stanley Cup, you need more than just a talented roster. A team also must have a quality bench boss with experience, grit, and the ability to get the best out of each and every player. By no surprise, some of the best head coaches in the National Hockey League are also among the highest-paid coaches in the NHL.
In this piece, we’re taking a look at the top NHL coaching contracts, ranking from No. 5 to No. 1.
#5 Paul Maurice, Florida Panthers — $3.9 Million
The Florida Panthers were back-to-back Stanley Cup champions before missing out on the playoffs altogether in 2025-26, and their brilliance before this season had a lot to do with Paul Maurice. The coach just concluded his fourth season as the Cats boss, leading them to the Cup in his first year in charge in 2023, where they lost to the Vegas Golden Knights in five games.
Front Office Sports reported that Maurice makes around $3.9 million per season. He signed an extension with Florida in October of 2024, but the length of the deal was never disclosed.
#4 Bruce Cassidy, Vegas Golden Knights (Former) — $4.5 Million
A team that was a lock for the Stanley Cup Playoffs decided to fire its coach at the end of the regular season when the Vegas Golden Knights dismissed their championship-winning boss. Vegas let go of Bruce Cassidy with only a few games left in the campaign and hired John Tortorella to replace him.
Regardless, it’s been noted that the Golden Knights still owe Cassidy $4.5 million, the amount he’s been making since signing an deal with the organization in 2022, as reported by Shawn Simpson of TSN Radio. Cassidy will surely land on his feet elsewhere in the NHL, but for now, he’s doing just fine financially.
#3 Jared Bednar, Colorado Avalanche — $4.9 Million
The Colorado Avalanche hired Jared Bednar as their head coach 10 years ago, and he’s had no shortage of success since taking over the reins in Denver. Bednar, who had no previous NHL coaching or playing experience, led the Avs to a Stanley Cup title in 2022, and they’ve consistently been among the league’s top contenders.
Due to his success, Bednar lands at No. 3 on this list, reportedly making $4.9 million per season, according to various insiders and Front Office Sports. He signed an extension in 2023, and the deal runs through the 2026-27 season. Bednar is also the winningest coach in franchise history.
#2 Jon Cooper, Tampa Bay Lightning — $5.3 Million
When you’re also coaching Team Canada, you must be one of the best around. Jon Cooper led the Canadians at the 4 Nations Face Off and the Olympics, but his full-time gig is with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Prince George, BC native has been the main man for the Bolts since 2013, and he’s currently the longest-tenured coach in the National Hockey League.
Front Office Sports also reported that Cooper is earning an impressive $5.3 million per season, and he reportedly signed an extension last offseason, as revealed by TSN insider Pierre LeBrun. Cooper has guided Tampa Bay to four Stanley Cups, winning the title twice in back-to-back seasons in 2020 and 2021.
#1 Mike Sullivan, New York Rangers — $6.5 Million
The New York Rangers are a storied franchise, so it’s not a huge surprise to see that their head coach is the highest-paid coach in the NHL. After inking a record-setting contract in 2025, Mike Sullivan became the top dog, earning a reported $6.5 million per season, per Front Office Sports and the Sporting News. After all, Sullivan did lead the Pittsburgh Penguins to back-to-back Stanley Cup titles in his first two seasons with the club.
The Rangers were disappointing in Sullivan’s first season as bench boss, though, failing to qualify for the playoffs. But, he still has time to redeem himself, although the pressure in the NY market is always intense — especially when you’re making more money than any other coach in the league.
