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While the best players in the NBA, NFL, and MLB make incredible sums of money, the NHL is a bit of a straggler when it comes to player salaries.
The league’s salary cap prevents teams from paying more than $ 15 million per year to an individual player. In contrast, 29 out of 30 NBA teams have at least one player making that much money this season.
But even with its relatively restrictive spending limits, the NHL economy is robust, and $ 100 million contracts are not unheard of. Below, check out our rundown of the NHL players who have the highest total salary on each team, ranked by their 2017-18 salaries. Contract data was obtained from Spotrac.
29 (tie). Evander Kane, Buffalo Sabres — $ 6 million
Ezra Shaw/Getty
Position: Left wing
Contract: 6 years, $ 31.5 million
One thing to know: Kane was selected by the Atlanta Thrashers with the fourth overall pick in the 2009 draft, signing a six-year extension ahead of the 2012-13 season. He was traded to the Sabres two years later.
29 (tie). Jeff Skinner and Jordan Staal, Carolina Hurricanes — $ 6 million
Gerry Broome/AP
Position: Left wing (Skinner) and center (Staal)
Contract: 6 years, $ 34.4 million (Skinner) and 10 years, $ 60 million (Staal)
One thing to know: In 2010, Skinner became the youngest player in league history to be named to an All-Star team, and he rode that promise to a six-year extension. Staal, one of four brothers who made it to the NHL, is regarded as one of the best defensive forwards in the game.
29 (tie). Erik Johnson and Gabriel Landeskog, Colorado Avalanche — $ 6 million
David Zalubowski/AP
Position: Defenseman (Johnson) and left wing (Landeskog)
Contract: 7 years, $ 42 million (Johnson) and 7 years, $ 39 million (Landeskog)
One thing to know: Johnson, a former first overall pick, was traded from St. Louis to Colorado midway through the 2010-11 season and later agreed to an extension that will bring him to the back end of his career. Landeskog, a native of Sweden, won the Calder Trophy in 2012.
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