In this lockout year by NHL owners, the season ends up being shortened to 48 games and salaries are prorated accordingly. The New Jersey Devils win the Stanley Cup while Jaromir Jagr and Eric Lindros lead the league together with 70 points. The 2 best-paid players of the NHL, Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier, respectively only get 48 and 53 points. Rookie Paul Kariya, drafted 4th overall by Anaheim the previous summer, is already the 13th best-paid NHLer.
| vs previous season | |||||
| Rank | Player | NHL Salary ($US) | In today's $ | +/- ($) | +/- (%) |
| 1 | Wayne Gretzky | $3,737,159 | $6,815,234 | $737,159 | 25% |
| 2 | Mark Messier | $3,596,059 | $6,557,919 | $1,063,059 | 42% |
| 3 | Scott Stevens | $3,314,286 | $6,044,066 | $2,193,036 | 196% |
| 4 | Pavel Bure | $2,571,429 | $4,689,361 | $1,850,679 | 257% |
| 5 | Mario Lemieux | $2,326,531 | $4,242,756 | -$2,673,469 | -53% |
| 6 | Eric Lindros | $2,080,000 | $3,793,172 | -$1,476,000 | -42% |
| 7 | Pat LaFontaine | $2,036,454 | $3,713,761 | $215,454 | 12% |
| 8 | Al MacInnis | $2,000,000 | $3,647,281 | $992,500 | 99% |
| 8 | Brendan Shanahan | $2,000,000 | $3,647,281 | $1,000,000 | 100% |
| 10 | Brett Hull | $1,885,714 | $3,438,865 | -$314,286 | -14% |
| 11 | Steve Yzerman | $1,823,126 | $3,324,726 | -$876,874 | -32% |
| 12 | Sergei Fedorov | $1,711,366 | $3,120,916 | $1,416,366 | 480% |
| 13 | Paul Kariya | $1,614,286 | $2,943,877 | ||
| 14 | Jaromir Jagr | $1,600,000 | $2,917,825 | $200,000 | 14% |
| 15 | Mike Modano | $1,535,714 | $2,800,591 | $85,714 | 6% |
| 16 | Chris Chelios | $1,514,286 | $2,761,513 | $414,286 | 38% |
| 17 | Patrick Roy | $1,457,841 | $2,658,578 | $217,841 | 18% |
| 18 | Alexander Mogilny | $1,428,571 | $2,605,201 | -$571,429 | -29% |
| 18 | Mike Richter | $1,428,571 | $2,605,201 | $428,571 | 43% |
| 20 | Theoren Fleury | $1,417,143 | $2,584,359 | -$1,062,857 | -43% |
| 21 | Tom Barrasso | $1,338,286 | $2,440,552 | $113,286 | 9% |
| 22 | Pierre Turgeon | $1,285,714 | $2,344,681 | -$1,064,286 | -45% |
| 22 | Raymond Bourque | $1,285,714 | $2,344,681 | -$964,286 | -43% |
| 22 | Phil Housley | $1,285,714 | $2,344,681 | -$714,286 | -36% |
| 25 | Bill Ranford | $1,254,857 | $2,288,408 | $305,482 | 32% |
| 25 | Doug Gilmour | $1,254,857 | $2,288,408 | $479,857 | 62% |