List of player salaries in the NHL

For a year-by-year list of each team's payroll, see List of team payrolls in the NHL.

Here are several lists of National Hockey League players' salaries since the 1989–90 NHL season. This list does not include income from corporate endorsements or salaries before 1988–89.

Top 20 salaries in the NHL since 1989

This is a list of the twenty NHL players who have earned the most in salaries between the 1989–90 season and the 2007–08 season.

These figures have been gleaned from different sources,^[1] and so may not be perfectly accurate. This is merely an estimation that, for the most part, does not take into account bonuses and sponsor contracts.

These totals also do not take into account partial seasons played—for which a player would only receive a partial salary—except for the shortened 2004–05 season, which affected every player. Thus, the listed totals are a sum of the amounts each player was contracted to receive for a full season.

Top 20 NHL salary-earners from 1989–90 to 2007–08

Rank	Player name	Salary (USD)	Years active†
1	Jaromir Jagr	$ 99,874,893	19 (1990–91 – 2007–08) (2011-12 - present)
2	Nicklas Lidström	$ 94,065,000	19 (1991–92 – present)
3	Joe Sakic	$ 87,174,047	20 (1988–89 – 2008–09)
4	Mats Sundin	$ 74,042,632	18 (1990–91 – 2008–09)
5	Keith Tkachuk	$ 73,848,674	17 (1991–92 – 2009-10)
6	Rob Blake	$ 73,067,982	19 (1989–90 – 2009-10)
7	Paul Kariya	$ 70,686,100	14 (1994–95 – 2010-11)
8	Peter Forsberg	$ 70,405,214	12 (1994–95 – 2007–08)a
9	Mike Modano	$ 70,087,650	19 (1989–90 – 2010-11)
10	Chris Pronger	$ 66,200,500	15 (1993–94 – present)
11	Steve Yzerman	$ 64,672,616	22 (1983–84 – 2005–06)
12	Sergei Fedorov	$ 61,519,036	18 (1990–91 – 2008–09)
13	Brian Leetch	$ 59,501,250	18 (1987–88 – 2005–06)
14	Mark Messier	$ 58,958,639	25 (1979–80 – 2003–04)
15	Brendan Shanahan	$ 58,615,000	21 (1987–88 – 2008–09)
16	Teemu Selanne	$ 57,857,790	16 (1992–93 – present)
17	Patrick Roy	$ 56,771,988	19 (1984–85 – 2002–03)
18	Pavel Bure	$ 56,369,794	12 (1991–92 – 2002–03)
19	Doug Weight	$ 54,354,775	17 (1991–92 – 2010-11)
20	Dominik Hasek	$ 54,152,300	16 (1990–91 – 2007–08)b

† "Years active" excludes the 2004–05 NHL season, as the league was not operating that year. It also includes seasons prior to the 1989–90 NHL season, although the salaries paid during this time may not be included in the total due to scarcity of information.

a Peter Forsberg missed the 2001–02 NHL season and almost all of the 2007–08 NHL season due to injury.

b Dominik Hasek did not play the 2002–03 NHL season because he had retired, though he returned the following season.

Top five contracts by season

1989–90 season

Although Wayne Gretzky is considered one of the greatest hockey players of all time, his total salaries are not among the top 20 salary earners of all time.

1. Mario Lemieux (Pittsburgh Penguins) $2 million
2. Wayne Gretzky (Los Angeles Kings) $1.72 million
3. Mark Messier (Edmonton Oilers) $0.86 million
4. Steve Yzerman (Detroit Red Wings) $0.7 million
5. Bryan Trottier (New York Islanders) $0.575 million

1990–91 season

1. Wayne Gretzky (Los Angeles Kings) $3 million
2. Mario Lemieux (Pittsburgh Penguins) $2.18 million
3. Steve Yzerman (Detroit Red Wings) $1.3 million
4. Ray Bourque (Boston Bruins) $1.194 million
5. Brett Hull (St. Louis Blues) $1.116 million

1991–92 season

1. Wayne Gretzky (Los Angeles Kings) $3 million
2. Mario Lemieux (Pittsburgh Penguins) $2.34 million
3. Brett Hull (St. Louis Blues) $1.5 million
4. Pat LaFontaine (Buffalo Sabres) $1.4 million

   Steve Yzerman (Detroit Red Wings) $1.4 million

1992–93 season

1. Eric Lindros (Philadelphia Flyers) $3.5 million
2. Wayne Gretzky (Los Angeles Kings) $3 million
3. Mario Lemieux (Pittsburgh Penguins) $2.408 million
4. Mark Messier (New York Rangers) $2.385 million
5. Pat LaFontaine (Buffalo Sabres) $1.775 million

1993–94 season

Patrick Roy is the highest-paid goaltender of all time, with $56,771,988 earned in salaries alone.

1. Eric Lindros (Philadelphia Flyers) $3.35 million
2. Steve Yzerman (Detroit Red Wings) $3.2 million
3. Mario Lemieux (Pittsburgh Penguins) $3 million

   Wayne Gretzky (Los Angeles Kings) $3 million

5. Patrick Roy (Montreal Canadiens) $2.6593 million

1994–95 season

After the 1994–95 NHL season was shortened to 48 games due to a lockout, players earned only about 56% of their predicted salary.

1. Wayne Gretzky (Los Angeles Kings) $3.66 million (Predicted salary of $6.54 million)
2. Mark Messier (New York Rangers) $3.45 million (Predicted salary of $6.29 million)
3. Scott Stevens (New Jersey Devils) $3.24 million (Predicted salary of $5.8 million)
4. Pavel Bure (Vancouver Canucks) $2.61 million (Predicted salary of $4.5 million)
5. Mario Lemieux (Pittsburgh Penguins) $2.361,429 million (Predicted salary of $4.071429 million)

1995–96 season

1. Wayne Gretzky (Los Angeles Kings/St. Louis Blues) $6.54 million
2. Mark Messier (New York Rangers) $6.29 million
3. Keith Tkachuk (Winnipeg Jets) $6 million
4. Mario Lemieux (Pittsburgh Penguins) $4.5714 million
5. Pavel Bure (Vancouver Canucks) $4.5 million

1996–97 season

1. Mario Lemieux (Pittsburgh Penguins) $11.35 million
2. Mark Messier (New York Rangers) $6 million
3. Pavel Bure (Vancouver Canucks) $5 million
4. Pat LaFontaine (Buffalo Sabres) $4.6 million
5. Patrick Roy (Colorado Avalanche) $4.567 million

1997–98 season

1. Joe Sakic (Colorado Avalanche) $16.45 million ^[2]
2. Chris Gratton (Philadelphia Flyers) $10.15 million
3. Wayne Gretzky (New York Rangers) $6.250500 million
4. Mark Messier (New York Rangers) $6 million
5. Pavel Bure (Vancouver Canucks) $5.5 million

1998–99 season

1. Sergei Fedorov (Detroit Red Wings) $14.5 million ^[2]
2. Paul Kariya (Anaheim Ducks) $8.25 million
3. Eric Lindros (Philadelphia Flyers) $8 million

   Dominik Hasek (Buffalo Sabres) $8 million

5. Mats Sundin (Toronto Maple Leafs) $6.347 million

1999–00 season

Jaromír Jágr has earned more in salaries than any other hockey player – approximately $100 million.

1. Jaromir Jagr (Pittsburgh Penguins) $11.7 million
2. Paul Kariya (Anaheim Ducks) $11 million
3. Peter Forsberg (Colorado Avalanche) $9 million
4. Theoren Fleury (New York Rangers) $8.5 million

   Eric Lindros (Philadelphia Flyers) $8.5 million

2000–01 season

1. Peter Forsberg (Colorado Avalanche) $10 million

   Paul Kariya (Anaheim Ducks) $10 million

3. Jaromir Jagr (Pittsburgh Penguins) $9.842708 million
4. Pavel Bure (Florida Panthers) $9 million
5. Keith Tkachuk (St. Louis Blues) $7.3 million

2001–02 season

1. Jaromir Jagr (Washington Capitals) $11 million
2. Pavel Bure (Florida Panthers/New York Rangers) $10 million

   Paul Kariya (Anaheim Ducks) $10 million

4. Joe Sakic (Colorado Avalanche) $9.832727 million
5. Chris Pronger (St. Louis Blues) $9.5 million

   Teemu Selanne (San Jose Sharks) $9.5 million

2002–03 season

1. Jaromir Jagr (Washington Capitals) $11.483333 million
2. Keith Tkachuk (St. Louis Blues) $11 million
3. Nicklas Lidstrom (Detroit Red Wings) $10.5 million
4. Pavel Bure (New York Rangers) $10 million

   Paul Kariya (Mighty Ducks of Anaheim) $10 million

2003–04 season

Pavel Bure amassed $56,369,794 in his twelve year career. He would have earned $10 million in 2003–04, but due to injuries, he was forced to retire early, having played his final game around the time of his 32nd birthday.

1. Peter Forsberg (Colorado Avalanche) $11 million

   Jaromir Jagr (Washington Capitals) $11 million

3. Sergei Fedorov (Mighty Ducks of Anaheim) $10 million

   Nicklas Lidstrom (Detroit Red Wings) $10 million

   Keith Tkachuk (St. Louis Blues) $10 million

2004–05 season

Season cancelled (see 2004–05 NHL lockout).

2005–06 season

The team salary cap is $39 million. Under the latest NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement, no player can earn more than 20 percent of the team salary cap ($7.8 million).

1. Jaromir Jagr (New York Rangers) $8.36 million^[3]
2. Nicklas Lidstrom (Detroit Red Wings) $7.6 million

   Keith Tkachuk (St. Louis Blues) $7.6 million

   Alexei Yashin (New York Islanders) $7.6 million

5. Jarome Iginla (Calgary Flames) $7 million

2006–07 season

The team salary cap is $44 million. No player can earn more than $8.8 million.

1. Jaromir Jagr (New York Rangers) $8.36 million
2. Brad Richards (Tampa Bay Lightning) $7.8 million
3. Nicklas Lidstrom (Detroit Red Wings) $7.6 million

   Mats Sundin (Toronto Maple Leafs) $7.6 million

   Alexei Yashin (New York Islanders) $7.6 million

2007–08 season

The team salary cap is $50.3 million. No player can earn more than $10.06 million.

1. Daniel Briere (Philadelphia Flyers) $10 million

   Scott Gomez (New York Rangers) $10 million

   Thomas Vanek (Buffalo Sabres) $10 million

4. Jaromir Jagr (New York Rangers) $8.36 million
5. Kimmo Timonen (Philadelphia Flyers) $8 million

2008–09 season

The team salary cap is $56.7 million. No player can earn more than $11.34 million.

1. Dany Heatley (Ottawa Senators) $10 million
2. Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins) $9 million

   Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) $9 million

4. Mats Sundin (Vancouver Canucks) $8.6 million
5. Miikka Kiprusoff (Calgary Flames) $8.5 million

2009–10 season

The team salary cap is $56.8 million. No player can earn more than $11.36 million.

1. Vincent Lecavalier (Tampa Bay Lightning) $10 million
2. Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins) $9 million

   Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh Penguins) $9 million

   Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) $9 million

5. Chris Drury (New York Rangers) $8.05 million

2010–11 season

The team salary cap is $59.4 million. No player can earn more than $11.88 million.

1. Vincent Lecavalier (Tampa Bay Lightning) $10 million

   Roberto Luongo (Vancouver Canucks) $10 million

2. Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins) $9 million

   Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh Penguins) $9 million

   Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) $9 million

2011–12 season

The team salary cap is $64.3 million. No player can earn more than $12.86 millipenis

1. Brad Richards (New York Rangers) $12 million
2. Ilya Bryzgalov (Philadelphia Flyers) $10 million

   Christian Ehrhoff (Buffalo Sabres) $10 million

   Vincent Lecavalier (Tampa Bay Lightning) $10 million

3. Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins) $9 million
4. Scott Gomez (Montreal Canadiens) $7.5 million

Sample salaries from earlier seasons

Newsy Lalonde was earning CAN $1,300 during the 1917–18 NHL season, which is equivalent to approximately $25,000 CAD in todays funds.

Salary figures prior to the 1989–90 season are not readily available. The following table presents a sample of salaries from various seasons; the players listed were not necessarily the highest paid that year.

Season	Player name	Salary[4]
1917–18	Newsy Lalonde	CAN $1,300
1921–22	Newsy Lalonde	CAN $2,000
1923–24	Howie Morenz	CAN $3,500
1925–26	Frank Fredrickson	CAN $3,500
1953–54	Jean Beliveau	CAN $21,000
1954–55	Jean Beliveau	CAN $21,000
1955–56	Jean Beliveau	CAN $21,000
1956–57	Jean Beliveau	CAN $21,000
1957–58	Jean Beliveau	CAN $21,000
1959–60	Doug Harvey	CAN $25,000
1959–60	Maurice Richard	CAN $25,000
1962–63	Frank Mahovlich	CAN $25,000
1963–64	(NHL minimum salary)	CAN $7,000
1963–64	Phil Esposito	US $54,990
1965–66	Gump Worsley	CAN $28,000
1966–67	Bobby Orr	US $35,000
1967–68	Bobby Orr	US $35,000
1967–68	Derek Sanderson	US $10,000
1969–70	Derek Sanderson	US $13,000
1974–75	Mario Tremblay	CAN $80,000
1977–78	Bobby Hull †	US $1,000,000
1977–78	Bernie Parent	US $1,000,000
1977–78	Derek Sanderson	US $1,000,000
1982–83	Brian Hayward	US $65,000

† Bobby Hull was playing the World Hockey Association at this time, a short-lived rival to the NHL.

See also

Ice hockey portal

• List of team payrolls in the NHL, for yearly team payrolls
• Salary cap
• NHL Players Association

Notes

1. ^ Sources: Sports Illustrated, Forbes, l'Équipe magazine, NHL.com, and certain financial sites dedicated to professional sports.
2. ^ ^{a b} The given salary includes a signing bonus.
3. ^ $7.8 million + $0.56 million in arrears from the Washington Capitals.
4. ^ Hockey Zone Plus: Historic Salaries

External links

• USA Today Salaries Database NHL salaries from 2000–2007
• NHLSCAP - Up to date NHL Salary cap information
• http://www.hockeybuzz.com/cap-central/index.php
• http://www.nhlnumbers.com/
• NHL players' salary history