Nikolai Kovalenko is a professional ice hockey player who plays as a right wing for the San Jose Sharks in the NHL as of February 2025. Born on October 17, 1999, in Raleigh, North Carolina, he is the son of former NHL player Andrei Kovalenko. Although born in the United States, he moved to Russia as a child and developed his hockey skills there.
Kovalenko began his career in the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl system, making his professional debut in the KHL in 2018. The Colorado Avalanche selected him in the sixth round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft and he later signed an NHL contract in 2023. After a standout season in the KHL, he made his NHL debut with Colorado in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. In December 2024, he was traded to the San Jose Sharks.
Nikolai Kovalenko's contract breakdown
According to Spotrac, Nikolai Kovalenko signed a two-year contract worth $1,850,000 with the Colorado Avalanche. The deal includes a signing bonus of $185,000 and guarantees the full contract value. His average annual salary under this agreement is $925,000.
| Year | Status | Cap Hit | League Cap | Base Salary | Signing Bonus | Performance Bonuses | Total Salary | Cumulative Cash |
| 2023-24 | Active | $896,250 | $925,000 | $832,500 | $92,500 | - | $925,000 | $925,000 |
| 2024-25 | Active | $896,250 | $613,144 | $775,000 | $92,500 | $57,500 | $867,500 | $1,538,144 |
How much is Nikolai Kovalenko getting paid?
For the 2024-25 season, Kovalenko will earn a base salary of $775,000 along with a signing bonus of $92,500. His cap hit for the season stands at $896,250 as per Spotrac.
How much of Nikolai Kovalenko’s contract is guaranteed?
According to Spotrac, Nikolai Kovalenko’s contract is fully guaranteed at $1,850,000 including his base salary of $1,607,500 and signing bonus of $185,000.
Nikolai Kovalenko's career earnings
As of January 2025, Nikolai Kovalenko's total career earnings are $851,624 (via Spotrac).
