For the second year in a row, and the last time, Eric Lindros is the best-paid NHLer. While he has what turns out to be his second best career season stats-wise, with 44 goals and 97 points, Wayne Gretzky and Pavel Bure respectively lead the league in points (130) and goals (60). The New York Rangers win the Stanley Cup. 12 NHLers now earn over $2M, compared to only 4 the previous year.
| vs previous season | |||||
| Rank | Player | NHL Salary ($US) | In today's $ | +/- ($) | +/- (%) |
| 1 | Eric Lindros | $3,500,000 | $6,193,426 | ||
| 2 | Steve Yzerman | $3,214,520 | $5,688,254 | $1,714,520 | 114% |
| 3 | Mario Lemieux | $3,000,000 | $5,308,651 | -$600,000 | -17% |
| 3 | Wayne Gretzky | $3,000,000 | $5,308,651 | ||
| 5 | Patrick Roy | $2,712,500 | $4,799,905 | $1,389,300 | 105% |
| 6 | Mark Messier | $2,533,000 | $4,482,271 | $148,000 | 6% |
| 7 | Raymond Bourque | $2,500,000 | $4,423,875 | $1,303,000 | 109% |
| 8 | Theoren Fleury | $2,480,000 | $4,388,484 | $2,211,225 | 823% |
| 9 | Pierre Turgeon | $2,350,000 | $4,158,443 | $1,550,000 | 194% |
| 10 | Pat Lafontaine | $2,217,202 | $3,923,450 | $442,202 | 25% |
| 11 | Brett Hull | $2,200,000 | $3,893,010 | $600,000 | 38% |
| 12 | Phil Housley | $2,000,000 | $3,539,100 | $842,200 | 73% |
| 12 | Alexander Mogilny | $2,000,000 | $3,539,100 | $1,250,000 | 167% |
| 14 | Alexandre Daigle | $1,975,000 | $3,494,862 | ||
| 15 | Brian Leetch | $1,805,000 | $3,194,038 | $105,000 | 6% |
| 16 | Marty McSorley | $1,800,000 | $3,185,190 | $1,150,000 | 177% |
| 16 | Kelly Miller | $1,800,000 | $3,185,190 | $1,360,000 | 309% |
| 18 | Joe Sakic | $1,705,000 | $3,017,083 | $878,000 | 106% |
| 19 | Luc Robitaille | $1,600,000 | $2,831,280 | $200,000 | 14% |
| 19 | Grant Fuhr | $1,600,000 | $2,831,280 | $276,800 | 21% |
| 19 | Gary Roberts | $1,600,000 | $2,831,280 | $1,054,180 | 193% |
| 19 | Chris Pronger | $1,600,000 | $2,831,280 | ||
| 23 | Mark Recchi | $1,550,000 | $2,742,803 | $650,000 | 72% |
| 24 | Mike Modano | $1,450,000 | $2,565,848 | -$500,000 | -26% |
| 24 | Craig Janney | $1,450,000 | $2,565,848 | $600,000 | 71% |
Photo credit: Score, Fleer Ultra and Upper Deck.