Few NHL stories sting with as much grit as Nick Blankenburg’s.
The undrafted Michigan walk-on once drove a Zamboni to stay close to the game, and as of 2026, he has banked over $3.27 million in verified NHL career earnings while skating for the Colorado Avalanche.
This guide breaks down his net worth, contract, salary history, and full career numbers.
Nick Blankenburg’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Nicholas “Nick” Blankenburg |
| Date of Birth | May 12, 1998 |
| Age | 27 (turns 28 on May 12, 2026) |
| Place of Birth | Washington, Michigan, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) |
| Weight | 177 lb (80 kg) |
| Position | Defenseman (Right Shot) |
| Jersey Number | 37 |
| Current NHL Team | Colorado Avalanche |
| Former NHL Teams | Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators |
| NHL Draft | Undrafted |
| Years Active (NHL) | 2022–present |
| Net Worth | ~$1.5 million |
| Career NHL Earnings | ~$3.27 million |
| Agent | Blake Robson |
| Stick | Bauer Vapor HyperLite 2 |
Early Life and Hockey Journey
Nick grew up in Washington, Michigan, and starred at Romeo High School about 45 minutes outside Detroit.
He played forward there, and as a senior in 2016 he posted 35 goals and 32 assists in 30 games to lead Romeo to its first-ever state championship.
He converted to defense the next year with Victory Honda, then moved to Alberta to play for the Okotoks Oilers of the AJHL in 2017-18. That detour was a make-or-break decision he openly described as “go all in or quit.”
The University of Michigan brought him aboard as a walk-on for the 2018-19 season, and he eventually earned a scholarship for his senior year.
As Michigan’s captain in 2021-22 he tied a program record with 14 goals by a senior defenseman, finishing his college career with 25 goals and 44 assists across 133 games.
Although he went undrafted, his senior-year breakout caught NHL eyes. The Columbus Blue Jackets signed him to an entry-level deal on April 8, 2022, after which he finished his international studies degree from Columbus while preparing for his NHL debut.
Career
Blankenburg made his NHL debut on April 13, 2022, with Columbus. Eleven days later, on April 24, he scored his first NHL goal — a power-play game-winner against the Edmonton Oilers in his sixth game.
He spent three seasons in the Columbus organization, splitting time between the Blue Jackets and the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters as injuries kept disrupting his rhythm. He signed a two-year, $1.65 million extension with Columbus in July 2022 to lock in his place.
After becoming a Group 6 free agent, he signed a two-year, $1.55 million deal with the Nashville Predators on July 1, 2024, reported by Spotrac.
The 2024-25 season was his breakout: 60 games, 16 points, and a stretch on Nashville’s top pair alongside Brady Skjei.
That run earned him a nomination as Nashville’s 2024-25 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy candidate.
In 2025-26, he opened with a career-high 21 points in 49 games for Nashville before the Predators traded him to the Colorado Avalanche on March 4, 2026, for a 2027 fifth-round pick.
Nick Blankenburg’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Nick Blankenburg has an estimated net worth of about $1.5 million.
The figure reflects roughly $3.27 million in verified gross NHL career earnings, adjusted for federal and state taxes, NHLPA escrow, agent commissions, and standard living expenses for a young professional athlete.
Contract
Blankenburg is in the final year of a two-year, $1,550,000 contract he signed with the Nashville Predators on July 1, 2024. The deal carries a $775,000 cap hit per season and is fully guaranteed, per Puckpedia.
The contract was a two-way deal in 2024-25 and converted to a one-way deal in 2025-26, meaning he draws his NHL salary whether on the roster or assigned.
The contract follows him through the Colorado trade and expires at the end of 2025-26, after which he becomes an unrestricted free agent.
Salary
His base salary in 2025-26 is $775,000, the same as his cap hit. That sits just above the league minimum and reflects his depth-defenseman pay scale rather than a top-pair payday.
His highest single-season earnings came in 2022-23, when he earned $850,000 in base salary plus a small signing bonus structure under his Columbus extension, per The Stanley Cap. With UFA status looming in summer 2026, a multi-year raise is realistic if he stays healthy.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season | Team(s) | Salary / Cap Hit |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 | Columbus Blue Jackets | $925,000 (1-yr ELC) |
| 2022-23 | Columbus Blue Jackets | $825,000 (yr 1 of 2) |
| 2023-24 | Columbus Blue Jackets / Cleveland (AHL) | $825,000 (yr 2 of 2) |
| 2024-25 | Nashville Predators / Milwaukee (AHL) | $775,000 (two-way) |
| 2025-26 | Nashville Predators → Colorado Avalanche | $775,000 (one-way) |
Verified total career earnings sit near $3.27 million, tracked by HockeyZonePlus. That sum places him around #2,400 all-time in NHL career earnings.
Career Statistics
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 | Columbus | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 2022-23 | Columbus | 36 | 4 | 10 | 14 | 14 |
| 2023-24 | Columbus | 12 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| 2024-25 | Nashville | 60 | 4 | 12 | 16 | 22 |
| 2025-26 | Nashville / Colorado | 61 | 8 | 16 | 24 | 10+ |
| NHL Career Totals | — | 175 | 18 | 39 | 57+ | — |
FAQs
What is Nick Blankenburg’s net worth?
Nick Blankenburg’s net worth is estimated at roughly $1.5 million. The figure is based on his verified career NHL earnings of about $3.27 million, adjusted for taxes, escrow, agent fees, and living costs.
How much does Nick Blankenburg make per year?
He earns a base salary of $775,000 in 2025-26 with the Colorado Avalanche, the same as his cap hit. That sits just above the NHL league minimum on a one-way deal.
What is Nick Blankenburg’s current contract?
He plays under a two-year, $1,550,000 contract signed with the Nashville Predators on July 1, 2024. The deal carries a $775,000 average annual value and expires at the end of 2025-26.
Has Nick Blankenburg won a Stanley Cup?
No, Nick Blankenburg has not won a Stanley Cup. The Colorado Avalanche acquired him in March 2026, giving him his first real shot at deep playoff hockey since entering the league.
Which NHL teams has Nick Blankenburg played for?
He has played for three NHL franchises: the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Nashville Predators, and the Colorado Avalanche. He signed with Columbus in 2022, joined Nashville in 2024, and was traded to Colorado in March 2026.
