How much do players get paid in the playoffs? – Hockey Writer – Hockey Industry
*This archive was originally written by Jeff Seide
When hockey players win the Stanley Cup and win the greatest trophy of all sports, their minds are filled with a lot of ideas. Memories of ice skating on frozen ponds as a kid. When dreaming of growing up, they have to win everything. Their parents sent them to the rink countless times at all times. All their families, coaches and teammates trust them and encourage them.
It is euphoric. Completely hasty emotions. This is also an extra salary when the dust settles.
NHL Playoffs Salary
Players will no longer receive salaries even if they pay their contracts from July 1 to June 30.
NHL players did not receive separate salaries in the playoffs. League rules actually prohibit NHL teams from paying player bonuses for entering the playoffs and winning the Stanley Cup. Only entry-level contracts and players over 35 will receive bonuses for playoff performances.
That said, the players are still compensated for their playoff appearances. The NHL and NHL Players Association (NHLPA) agree to allocate the playoff bonus pool based on their progress to each playoff team. This is mentioned in Article 28 of the NHL Collective Negotiation Agreement (CBA).
Playoffs pot
The size of the playoff prize pool usually increases every three seasons. In 2012-13 and 2013-14, the playoff reward pool was $13 million, or twice the amount reserved in the early CBA. Here’s how the pool split in 2013:
The president’s trophy was awarded to the club, amassing the highest-ranked club during the league’s 82 regular season games, earning a small portion of the pie.
President’s Trophy Winner – $500,000
First round loser – $2 million ($250,000 per team to eight teams)
Second round loser – $2 million ($500,000 for four teams)
The third round loser – $2.5 million ($1.25 million per team)
Stanley Cup Finalist – $2.25 million
Stanley Cup Champion – $3.75 million
From the breakdown that started last season, the allocation has become larger:
President’s Trophy Winner – $859,375
First round loser – $429,687
Second round loser – $859,375
The third round loser – $2,062,500
Stanley Cup Finalist – $3,781,250
Stanley Cup Champion – $6,539,375
Income rises
As the league’s revenue increases, so does the bonus pool. That’s how the playoff prize pool rose from $13 million in 2012-13 to $16 million in 2018-19 over the past decade. The current CBA is effective in the 2020-21 season and has allocated the following amounts to the playoffs fund:
- 2020-21: USD 20 million
- 2021-22: USD 20 million
- 2022-23: US$21 million
- 2023-24: US$22 million
- 2024-25: US$23 million
- 2025-26: US$24 million
Next season, when the new CBA (extended on June 27, 2025) takes effect, the playoffs fund will receive a significant increase of $10 million, with an increase of $2 million each season thereafter. The league will also pay all fees, not just $12 million, which will be considered non-shared, rather than part of the revenue associated with hockey. This is a crash:
- 2026-27: US$34 million
- 2027-28: US$36 million
- 2028-29: US$38 million
- 2029-30: US$40 million
Allocate US dollars
The NHLPA is recognized by the league, determining how the pools are distributed among teams participating in the playoffs each year.
Each team votes on the number of shares it should issue. Players wearing several playoff games usually don’t get the full share, but regulars basically get the same share. In other words, each player does not necessarily receive an equal share of the pool allocated to their respective teams. Typically, some adjustments are made based on roster size, health scratches and other unique situations.
- In 2025, eight playoff teams lost in the first round received about $3.4 million ($429,687 per team). Each team has a roster of 23 players, each earning about $18,600.
- The four playoff teams lost in the second round also received $3.4 million ($859,375 per team); each of the 23 players received about $37,000.
- The two teams that lost in the finals received $2,062,500 respectively; each of the 23 players received nearly $90,000.
- The Stanley Cup final loser received $3,781,250; each of the 23 players received about $164,000.
- The Stanley Cup champion received $6,539,375; each of the 27 players received about $242,000.
Compare the championship prize with other leagues
The main sports of NHL champions – the smallest salary in baseball, soccer, basketball and hockey.
Major League Baseball – In 2024, these 12 playoff teams received a record $129.1 million in prize money. Players vary annually based on ticket sales: It consists of a gate receipt guaranteed 60% of the playoffs.
The 2024 World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers earned $477,441 per share.
National Football League – In addition to bringing home the coveted Vince Lombardy Trophy, the 2025 Philadelphia Eagles players received a six-figure bonus check: $171,000 just to win the final game. This is under a 2020 collective bargaining agreement, which the NFL and the NFL Players Association signed, which will take effect until the 2030 season. All in all, they made another $352,000 for the playoffs. The Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl loser brought home $96,000, which is a shame.
National Basketball Association – NBA bonuses are placed in the pool and each team receives a portion based on their performance. Last year, the total money in the pot was close to $35 million. Each participating team can get a share from it, and the bonuses are distributed equally across all team members.
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers in 2025. According to calculations, the team’s money is about $8.8 million. Then, the money is unequal among the players.
Champion change
The Stanley Cup champion is a winner in many levels. In addition to raising the Cup to win the win lap and winning the Stanley Cup championship ring, they often include playoff performances in more lucrative contracts.
So while they may not be able to directly receive bonuses, they can bring additional leverage to senior contracts. The star players who win the Cup will also benefit more financially after winning the endorsement.
For superstars, they earn relatively few playoff bonuses compared to multi-million dollar salary. However, for young people or young people with valuable contracts, playoff spending may be a considerable portion of their total salary.
Ask any player and they will tell you that the money is not the reason they play. Their ultimate goal is to carve their name on the Stanley Cup and get the Stanley Cup ring. That is priceless.
