This article needs to be updated. The reason given is: total payrolls for recent seasons must be added. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (December 2019)

Here are several tables of National Hockey League team payrolls for each team in the NHL. For simplicity, players traded mid-season are considered to be on the payroll of the team acquiring that player.

League

After the 2004–05 season was cancelled, a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) was agreed upon between the NHL and the NHL Players' Association. This CBA included a salary cap for team salaries (formally defined in the CBA as the "Upper Limit"), which would potentially increase from one season to the next depending on league revenues,[1] and a cap for player salaries, set at 20 percent of the team salary cap.[2] The teams also have a minimum payroll requirement (formally defined as the "Lower Limit"), which was $21.5 million in 2005–06,[3] but fixed from 2006–07 onward at $16 million below the salary cap.

From the 2003–04 season to the 2005–06 season, the implementation of the salary cap caused a marked normalization of team payrolls, and a decrease in the payroll disparity from team to team. Ten teams (of thirty) decreased their payrolls by more than $15 million, with four decreasing their payrolls by more than $30 million; only seven teams increased their payrolls, with four increasing their payrolls by more than $5 million. The standard deviation of the payrolls decreased from $15,898,399 to $6,371,263 after the salary cap was introduced.

Year Average team payroll % change Standard deviation Team cap Player cap Number of teams
1998–99 $29,730,833 $7,375,757 No cap 27
1999–2000 $31,564,167 6.17% $9,963,577 28
2000–01 $33,375,943 5.74% $11,657,873 30
2001–02 $38,011,852 13.89% $14,162,670
2002–03 $41,939,715 10.33% $16,876,630
2003–04 $44,400,490 5.87% $15,898,399
2004–05 Season canceled due to lockout
2005–06 $34,309,972 -22.73% $6,371,263 $39,000,000 $7,800,000
2006–07 $40,292,446 17.44% $4,720,484 $44,000,000 $8,800,000
2007–08 $44,369,521 10.12% $7,573,225 $50,300,000 $10,060,000
2008–09 $51,387,176 15.82% $7,968,239 $56,700,000 $11,340,000
2009–10 $52,772,060 2.69% $5,541,890 $56,800,000 $11,360,000
2010–11 $54,229,043 2.76% $6,758,459 $59,400,000 $11,880,000
2011–12 $58,862,833 8.54% $5,563,110 $64,300,000 $12,860,000
2012–131 $35,004,146[4] $60,000,000
2013–14 $56,975,964[5] $64,300,000
2014–15 $60,863,476[6] $69,000,000
2015–16 $59,173,968[7] $71,400,000
2016–17 $64,132,129[8] $73,000,000
2017–18 $63,315,723[9] $75,000,000 31
2018–19 $66,636,112[10] $79,500,000
2019–20 $81,500,000
2020–21
2021–22 32

1Season shortened by the 2012–13 NHL lockout; teams could spend up to $70.2 million, pro-rated for the season's length.

Between the 1998–99 and 2007–08 seasons, the total players' payroll was $9,990,698,194, which is an average of $37,700,748 per team per season. The division with the highest total payroll over this nine-year period is the Atlantic Division, paying out $1,912,252,452 ($42,494,499 per team per season). The division with the lowest total payroll over this period was the Southeast Division; it was considered the weakest hockey market in the league, as one of its teams (the Atlanta Thrashers) relocated prior to the 2011–12 season.[11]

Teams in the Southeast Division have had a home attendance above the league average for a given year only six times:

Prior to the dissolution of the Southeast Division after the 2012–13 season, teams in that division frequently had average attendance numbers in the bottom ten in the league for a given year:

The team that spent the most on players' salaries over these nine seasons are the New York Rangers, who spent a total of $517,076,928 for players, averaging $57,452,992 per season.[12][13] The Detroit Red Wings have the second highest total payroll over this period, with $483,801,165, for an average of $53,755,685 per season.[13][14]

The Nashville Predators had the lowest payroll per season over the same period, totalling $218,136,880 ($24,237,431 per season),[13][15] followed by the Atlanta Thrashers with a total of $212,616,075 ($26,577,009 per season).[13][16] The absolute lowest payroll belongs to the Minnesota Wild, who joined the league in 2000–01. In the seven seasons since the Wild joined the league, they have the lowest total payroll, at $187,278,126 ($26,754,018 per season).[17] Nashville's payroll over this period was slightly higher, at $187,936,880 ($26,848,126 per season).[15]

The Calgary Flames held the unique distinction of being the only team to have increased their payroll every year between the 1998–99 season and the 2007–08 season.

Sergei Fedorov, Paul Kariya and Jaromir Jagr have each had the highest salary on three different teams between 2000–01 and 2007–08:

Eastern Conference

This section needs to be updated. The reason given is: Data needs to be updated through 2019–20 season. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (December 2019)

Metropolitan Division

The Metropolitan Division currently has the highest total player payrolls of any division in the league as of the end of the 2018–19 season. Its predecessor division (which was known as the Atlantic Division between 1993 and 2013) had the highest total player payrolls of any division between 1998–99 and 2007–08, paying out $1,912,252,452 to its players ($42,494,499 per team per season). The New York Rangers were the highest paying team in the Atlantic Division (and in the entire league) over this period, with a player payroll of $517,076,928 ($57,452,992 per season),[12][13] while the Pittsburgh Penguins are the lowest paying team in the division over these nine seasons, with total payrolls of $260,515,726 ($28,946,192 per season).[13][18]

Carolina Hurricanes

These are the salaries for the Carolina Hurricanes.

Year Team payroll % change Median salary Top paid player(s) Highest salary
1998–99 $28,600,000
1999–2000 $27,100,000 -5.24%
2000–01 $32,473,250 19.83% $612,500 Ron Francis $5,000,000
2001–02 $31,994,900 -1.47% $859,750 Ron Francis $5,000,000
2002–03 $33,131,287 3.55% $700,000 Ron Francis $5,936,287
2003–04 $35,908,738 8.38% $750,000 Rod Brind'Amour $5,000,000
2005–06 $35,308,700 -1.67% $1,000,000 Doug Weight $5,700,000
2006–07 $38,970,800 10.37% $1,250,000 Rod Brind'Amour
Erik Cole
Eric Staal		 $4,000,000
2007–08 $49,948,600 28.17% $2,200,000 Eric Staal $4,500,000

Columbus Blue Jackets

These are the salaries for the Columbus Blue Jackets. The team played its first season in 2000–01 and was in the Western Conference between the 2000–01 season and the 2012–13 season.

Year Team payroll % change Median salary Top paid player(s) Highest salary
2000–01 $18,287,400 $650,000 Lyle Odelein $2,300,000
2001–02 $20,013,500 9.44% $710,500 Ron Tugnutt $2,400,000
2002–03 $26,740,040 33.61% $650,000 Luke Richardson $2,750,000
2003–04 $34,000,000 27.15% $1,050,000 Darryl Sydor $3,500,000
2005–06 $30,093,235 -11.49% $604,000 Sergei Fedorov $6,080,000
2006–07 $36,910,000 22.65% $775,000 Sergei Fedorov $6,080,000
2007–08 $28,010,000[19] -24.11% $1,000,000 Rick Nash $5,500,000

New Jersey Devils

These are the salaries for the New Jersey Devils.

Year Team payroll % change Median salary Top paid player(s) Highest salary
1998–99 $27,700,000
1999–2000 $31,300,000 13.00%
2000–01 $39,151,118 25.08% $800,000 Alexander Mogilny $5,200,000
2001–02 $43,118,026 10.13% $1,050,000 Joe Nieuwendyk $5,500,000
2002–03 $56,072,626 30.04% $1,350,000 Martin Brodeur
Scott Stevens		 $6,891,103
2003–04 $48,931,658 -12.74% $1,425,000 Scott Stevens $6,916,747
2005–06 $44,895,949[20] -8.25% $1,000,000 Martin Brodeur $5,237,238
2006–07 $49,608,766[20] 10.50% $984,200 Patrik Elias $7,500,000
2007–08 $47,622,511 -4.00% $1,400,000 Patrik Elias $7,500,000

New York Islanders

These are the salaries for the New York Islanders.

Year Team payroll % change Median salary Top paid player(s) Highest salary
1998–99 $21,300,000
1999–2000 $18,100,000 -15.02%
2000–01 $23,354,760 29.03% $875,000 Roman Hamrlik $2,800,000
2001–02 $33,658,204 44.12% $962,500 Alexei Yashin $6,549,944
2002–03 $37,010,935 9.96% $1,037,500 Alexei Yashin $7,400,000
2003–04 $40,865,500 10.41% $900,000 Alexei Yashin $8,400,000
2005–06 $31,447,520 -23.05% $830,860 Alexei Yashin $7,600,000
2006–07 $37,759,720 20.07% $865,000 Alexei Yashin $7,600,000
2007–08 $39,007,720 3.31% $816,360 Rick DiPietro
Bill Guerin
Miroslav Satan		 $4,500,000

New York Rangers

These are the salaries for the New York Rangers.

Year Team payroll % change Median salary Top paid player(s) Highest salary
1998–99 $39,800,000
1999–2000 $59,400,000[20] 49.25%
2000–01 $56,887,037[20] -4.23% $1,325,000 Brian Leetch $7,680,000
2001–02 $64,793,530 13.90% $1,800,000 Pavel Bure $10,000,000
2002–03 $76,477,085[20] 18.03% $2,650,000 Pavel Bure $10,000,000
2003–04 $76,488,716 0.02% $2,800,000 Pavel Bure $10,000,000
2005–06 $41,474,800 -45.78% $760,000 Jaromir Jagr $8,360,000
2006–07 $45,050,760 8.62% $950,000 Jaromir Jagr $8,360,000
2007–08 $56,705,000 25.87% $1,312,500 Scott Gomez $10,000,000

Philadelphia Flyers

These are the salaries for the Philadelphia Flyers.

Year Team payroll % change Median salary Top paid player(s) Highest salary
1998–99 $39,400,000
1999–2000 $50,300,000 27.66%
2000–01 $40,932,500 -18.62% $1,037,500 John LeClair $7,000,000
2001–02 $56,435,000 37.87% $1,600,000 John LeClair $9,000,000
2002–03 $65,222,633 15.57% $2,200,000 John LeClair $9,000,000
2003–04 $68,175,247 4.53% $2,425,000 John LeClair $9,000,000
2005–06 $42,566,760 -37.56% $1,254,000 Peter Forsberg $5,750,000
2006–07 $43,749,445 2.78% $1,200,000 Simon Gagne $5,250,000
2007–08 $56,973,200 30.23% $1,225,000 Daniel Briere $10,000,000

Pittsburgh Penguins

These are the salaries for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Year Team payroll % change Median salary Top paid player(s) Highest salary
1998–99 $23,800,000
1999–2000 $30,300,000 27.31%
2000–01 $33,677,333 11.15% $785,000 Jaromir Jagr $9,842,708
2001–02 $34,130,770 1.35% $719,250 Mario Lemieux $5,250,000
2002–03 $24,407,500 -28.49% $650,000 Mario Lemieux $5,250,000
2003–04 $23,400,000 -4.13% $625,000 Mario Lemieux $5,250,000
2005–06 $23,122,650 -1.19% $608,000 Sergei Gonchar
Zigmund Palffy		 $3,500,000
2006–07 $26,293,273[19] 13.71% $850,000 Sergei Gonchar $4,500,000
2007–08 $41,384,200 57.39% $1,029,600 Marian Hossa $7,000,000

Washington Capitals

These are the salaries for the Washington Capitals.

Year Team payroll % change Median salary Top paid player(s) Highest salary
1998–99 $31,000,000
1999–2000 $28,300,000 -8.71%
2000–01 $41,275,000 45.85% $1,400,000 Peter Bondra $4,525,000
2001–02 $47,392,250 14.82% $1,400,000 Jaromir Jagr $11,000,000
2002–03 $51,398,058 8.45% $1,400,000 Jaromir Jagr $11,483,333
2003–04 $50,895,750 -0.98% $917,500 Jaromir Jagr $11,000,000
2005–06 $18,932,830[19] -62.80% $605,000 Olaf Kolzig $4,940,000
2006–07 $29,728,412 57.02% $825,000 Olaf Kolzig $5,450,000
2007–08 $44,309,200 49.05% $942,100 Sergei Fedorov $6,080,000

Atlantic Division

The current incarnation of the Atlantic Division was created prior to the 2013–14 season as a merger between the Southeast Division and the Northeast Division. Between 1998–99 and 2007–08, the Northeast Division had total player payrolls of $1,694,667,213 ($37,659,271 per team per season). The Toronto Maple Leafs paid their players the most in the Northeast Division over these nine seasons, with total payrolls of $414,581,865 ($46,064,652 per season),[13][21] while the Buffalo Sabres paid the least in the division over the same time, with total payrolls of $300,251,418 ($33,361,269 per season).[13][22]

The other predecessor to the Atlantic Division, the Southeast Division, had the lowest player payroll of any division between 1998–99 and 2007–08, totalling $1,424,591,667 during this time ($32,377,083 per team per season). This market was considered one of the weakest in the league.[11] The Washington Capitals were the highest paying team in the Southeast Division, with total payrolls of $343,231,500 ($38,136,833 per season);[13][23] the Atlanta Thrashers, who joined the league in 1999–2000 and relocated to Winnipeg in 2011, were the lowest paying team in the division (and in the Eastern Conference), with total payrolls of $212,616,075 ($26,577,009 per season).[13][16]

Boston Bruins

These are the salaries for the Boston Bruins.

Year Team payroll % change Median salary Top paid player(s) Highest salary
1998–99 $22,800,000
1999–2000 $24,500,000 7.46%
2000–01 $31,875,576 30.10% $912,500 Jason Allison $3,500,000
2001–02 $41,862,500 31.33% $1,627,500 Martin Lapointe $5,250,000
2002–03 $44,050,000 5.23% $1,350,000 Martin Lapointe $5,250,000
2003–04 $46,569,000 5.72% $1,300,000 Martin Lapointe
Joe Thornton		 $5,500,000
2005–06 $36,662,100 -21.27% $858,800 Glen Murray $4,150,000
2006–07 $43,735,700 19.29% $925,000 Zdeno Chara $7,500,000
2007–08 $49,501,600 13.18% $992,100 Zdeno Chara $7,500,000

Buffalo Sabres

These are the salaries for the Buffalo Sabres.

Year Team payroll % change Median salary Top paid player(s) Highest salary
1998–99 $26,100,000
1999–2000 $30,900,000 18.39%
2000–01 $38,690,416 25.21% $1,045,000 Dominik Hasek $7,500,000
2001–02 $28,891,666 -25.33% $1,012,500 Miroslav Satan
Alexei Zhitnik		 $3,250,000
2002–03 $28,254,166 -2.21% $1,087,500 Miroslav Satan
Alexei Zhitnik		 $3,550,000
2003–04 $32,954,250 16.64% $1,000,000 Miroslav Satan $4,750,000
2005–06 $28,515,120 -13.47% $989,720 Chris Drury $2,926,000
2006–07 $39,991,400 40.25% $1,875,000 Daniel Briere $5,000,000
2007–08 $45,954,400 14.91% $1,617,100 Thomas Vanek $10,000,000

Detroit Red Wings

These are the salaries for the Detroit Red Wings.

Year Team payroll % change Median salary Top paid player(s) Highest salary
1998–99 $48,300,000[20]
1999–2000 $43,400,000 -10.14%
2000–01 $55,107,500 26.98% $1,600,000 Steve Yzerman $8,000,000
2001–02 $66,643,750[20] 20.93% $1,300,000 Nicklas Lidstrom $8,500,000
2002–03 $68,410,506 2.65% $1,400,000 Nicklas Lidstrom $10,500,000
2003–04 $77,856,109[20] 13.81% $1,500,000 Nicklas Lidstrom $10,000,000
2005–06 $39,578,300 -49.16% $900,000 Nicklas Lidstrom $7,600,000
2006–07 $39,872,000 0.74% $1,170,000 Nicklas Lidstrom $7,600,000
2007–08 $44,633,000 11.94% $975,000 Nicklas Lidstrom $7,600,000

Florida Panthers

These are the salaries for the Florida Panthers.

Year Team payroll % change Median salary Top paid player(s) Highest salary
1998–99 $31,800,000
1999–2000 $33,300,000 4.72%
2000–01 $32,450,000 -2.55% $912,500 Pavel Bure $9,000,000
2001–02 $29,919,400 -7.80% $925,000 Sandis Ozolinsh $5,000,000
2002–03 $21,473,000 -28.23% $925,000 Viktor Kozlov $2,100,000
2003–04 $26,127,500 21.68% $902,500 Valeri Bure $3,100,000
2005–06 $26,500,510 1.43% $830,000 Roberto Luongo $3,200,000
2006–07 $37,606,280 41.91% $1,042,100 Todd Bertuzzi $5,269,080
2007–08 $39,749,200 5.70% $984,200 Tomas Vokoun $5,300,000


Montreal Canadiens

These are the salaries for the Montreal Canadiens.

Year Team payroll % change Median salary Top paid player(s) Highest salary
1998–99 $33,500,000
1999–2000 $33,800,000 0.90%
2000–01 $26,529,200 -21.51% $725,000 Jeff Hackett
Saku Koivu		 $3,300,000
2001–02 $41,277,373 55.59% $1,012,435 Jeff Hackett $3,400,000
2002–03 $41,972,360 1.68% $1,600,000 Jose Theodore $5,000,000
2003–04 $38,857,000 -7.42% $1,350,000 Jose Theodore $5,500,000
2005–06 $32,994,940 -15.09% $988,000 Alexei Kovalev $4,500,000
2006–07 $43,559,307 32.02% $1,887,500 Saku Koivu $4,750,000
2007–08 $42,313,500 -2.86% $1,225,000 Andrei Markov $5,750,000

Ottawa Senators

These are the salaries for the Ottawa Senators.

Year Team payroll % change Median salary Top paid player(s) Highest salary
1998–99 $21,000,000
1999–2000 $21,700,000 3.33%
2000–01 $29,086,250 34.04% $862,500 Alexei Yashin $3,600,000
2001–02 $27,220,750 -6.41% $800,000 Daniel Alfredsson $3,000,000
2002–03 $34,340,000 26.15% $1,000,000 Daniel Alfredsson $4,550,000
2003–04 $39,590,000 15.29% $1,075,000 Daniel Alfredsson $5,050,000
2005–06 $36,909,094 -6.77% $1,100,000 Daniel Alfredsson $4,662,894
2006–07 $43,630,310 18.21% $1,500,000 Wade Redden $6,500,000
2007–08 $49,997,370 14.59% $1,300,000 Wade Redden $6,500,000

Tampa Bay Lightning

These are the salaries for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Year Team payroll % change Median salary Top paid player(s) Highest salary
1998–99 $28,500,000
1999–2000 $19,000,000 -33.33%
2000–01 $17,989,000 -5.32% $775,000 Petr Svoboda $2,000,000
2001–02 $27,345,896 52.01% $950,000 Nikolai Khabibulin $3,316,298
2002–03 $29,483,439 7.82% $975,000 Nikolai Khabibulin $3,873,439
2003–04 $34,065,379 15.54% $1,115,000 Nikolai Khabibulin $4,434,579
2005–06 $39,157,379 14.95% $981,400 Martin St. Louis $6,500,000
2006–07 $41,886,667 6.97% $625,000 Brad Richards $7,800,000
2007–08 $38,954,167 -7.00% $950,000 Vincent Lecavalier $7,166,667

Toronto Maple Leafs

These are the salaries for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Year Team payroll % change Median salary Top paid player(s) Highest salary
1998–99 $34,000,000
1999–2000 $34,000,000 0.00%
2000–01 $41,003,187 20.60% $1,000,000 Mats Sundin $7,500,000
2001–02 $51,565,958 25.76% $1,400,000 Mats Sundin $7,500,000
2002–03 $65,054,900 26.16% $2,112,500 Mats Sundin $9,000,000
2003–04 $62,458,140 -3.99% $1,500,000 Mats Sundin $9,000,000
2005–06 $36,796,580 -41.09% $1,007,000 Mats Sundin $6,840,000
2006–07 $43,257,920 17.56% $901,740 Mats Sundin $7,600,000
2007–08 $46,445,180 7.37% $1,375,000 Bryan McCabe $7,150,000


Western Conference

This section needs to be updated. The reason given is: Data through 2019–20 season needed. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (December 2019)


Central Division

The Central Division had player payrolls of $1,604,944,295 between 1998–99 and 2007–08 ($37,324,286 per team per season). The highest paying team in the Central Division (and in the Western Conference) during that period was the Detroit Red Wings (who transferred to the Atlantic Division in 2013), with total payrolls of $483,801,165 ($53,755,685 per season),[13][14] while the lowest paying team in the division (and the entire league) was the Nashville Predators, with total payrolls of $218,136,880 ($24,237,431 per season).[13][15]

Chicago Blackhawks

These are the salaries for the Chicago Blackhawks.

Year Team payroll % change Median salary Top paid player(s) Highest salary
1998–99 $35,800,000
1999–2000 $32,400,000 -9.50%
2000–01 $29,700,000 -8.33% $1,050,000 Boris Mironov $3,200,000
2001–02 $41,462,500 39.60% $1,525,000 Alexei Zhamnov $4,000,000
2002–03 $35,290,000 -14.89% $1,025,000 Theo Fleury
Alexei Zhamnov		 $4,000,000
2003–04 $30,867,502 -12.53% $701,251 Alexei Zhamnov $4,500,000
2005–06 $30,141,200 -2.35% $817,000 Nikolai Khabibulin $6,750,000
2006–07 $38,499,600 27.73% $963,300 Nikolai Khabibulin $6,750,000
2007–08 $34,800,540 -9.61% $921,200 Nikolai Khabibulin $6,750,000

Colorado Avalanche

These are the salaries for the Colorado Avalanche.

Year Team payroll % change Median salary Top paid player(s) Highest salary
1998–99 $30,800,000
1999–2000 $41,500,000 34.74%
2000–01 $51,692,500 24.56% $900,000 Peter Forsberg $10,000,000
2001–02 $59,523,921 15.15% $975,000 Peter Forsberg $11,000,000
2002–03 $62,860,926 5.61% $950,000 Joe Sakic $9,856,018
2003–04 $63,382,458 0.83% $750,000 Peter Forsberg $11,000,000
2005–06 $41,044,829 -35.24% $759,100 Joe Sakic $6,664,797
2006–07 $37,999,700 -7.42% $984,200 Joe Sakic $5,750,000
2007–08 $61,290,750[20] 61.29% $1,200,000 Ryan Smyth $7,500,000

Dallas Stars

These are the salaries for the Dallas Stars.

Year Team payroll % change Median salary Top paid player(s) Highest salary
1998–99 $39,800,000
1999–2000 $42,300,000 6.28%
2000–01 $50,050,000 18.32% $955,000 Brett Hull
Mike Modano		 $7,000,000
2001–02 $48,710,352 -2.68% $1,600,000 Mike Modano $8,000,000
2002–03 $69,570,169 42.82% $2,525,000 Bill Guerin $8,732,891
2003–04 $68,578,885 -1.42% $2,600,000 Mike Modano $9,000,000
2005–06 $40,651,480 -40.72% $700,000 Bill Guerin $6,738,498
2006–07 $43,877,000 7.93% $1,045,000 Marty Turco $6,000,000
2007–08 $49,420,000 12.63% $950,000 Brad Richards $7,800,000

Minnesota Wild

These are the salaries for the Minnesota Wild. The team's first season was 2000–01.

Year Team payroll % change Median salary Top paid player(s) Highest salary
2000–01 $11,737,500[19] $500,000 Marian Gaborik $1,075,000
2001–02 $16,783,576 42.99% $650,000 Manny Fernandez $1,450,000
2002–03 $20,743,750[19] 23.60% $775,000 Cliff Ronning $1,850,000
2003–04 $27,200,500 31.13% $850,000 Marian Gaborik $2,900,000
2005–06 $25,158,800 -7.51% $798,000 Marian Gaborik $2,679,000
2006–07 $39,471,000 56.89% $1,187,500 Marian Gaborik $5,000,000
2007–08 $46,183,000 17.00% $1,200,000 Marian Gaborik $6,500,000


Nashville Predators

These are the salaries for the Nashville Predators.

Year Team payroll % change Median salary Top paid player(s) Highest salary
1998–99 $13,600,000[19]
1999–2000 $16,600,000[19] 22.06%
2000–01 $18,437,500 11.07% $725,000 Cliff Ronning $1,750,000
2001–02 $18,700,000 1.42% $800,000 Mike Dunham $2,600,000
2002–03 $23,932,500 27.98% $837,500 Jason York $2,000,000
2003–04 $21,932,500[19] -8.36% $700,000 Kimmo Timonen
Jason York		 $2,000,000
2005–06 $31,649,440 44.30% $922,070 Paul Kariya $4,500,000
2006–07 $43,011,600 35.90% $1,525,000 Peter Forsberg $5,750,000
2007–08 $30,273,340 -29.62% $800,000 Jason Arnott $4,500,000

St. Louis Blues

These are the salaries for the St. Louis Blues.

Year Team payroll % change Median salary Top paid player(s) Highest salary
1998–99 $31,300,000
1999–2000 $32,600,000 4.15%
2000–01 $47,092,500 44.46% $1,025,000 Keith Tkachuk $8,300,000
2001–02 $57,405,000 21.90% $1,037,500 Chris Pronger $9,500,000
2002–03 $68,710,000 19.69% $1,077,500 Keith Tkachuk $11,000,000
2003–04 $61,675,000 -10.24% $837,500 Keith Tkachuk $10,000,000
2005–06 $28,480,800 -53.82% $596,600 Keith Tkachuk $7,600,000
2006–07 $33,679,600 18.25% $1,000,000 Jay McKee $4,000,000
2007–08 $39,047,833 15.94% $1,200,000 Paul Kariya $6,000,000

Winnipeg Jets

These are the salaries for the Winnipeg Jets. The team played its first season as the Atlanta Thrashers in 1999–2000, and moved to Winnipeg in 2011; they remained in the Southeast Division until the end of the 2012–13 season, when they were moved into the Central Division.

Year Team payroll % change Median salary Top paid player(s) Highest salary
1999–2000 $16,700,000
2000–01 $17,818,175 6.70% $525,000 Damian Rhodes $2,250,000
2001–02 $15,220,000[19] -14.58% $600,000 Damian Rhodes $2,550,000
2002–03 $22,972,500 50.94% $725,000 Shawn McEachern $3,350,000
2003–04 $28,547,500 24.27% $787,500 Byron Dafoe
Vyacheslav Kozlov		 $3,500,000
2005–06 $37,170,200 30.20% $900,600 Ilya Kovalchuk $6,500,000
2006–07 $37,607,700 1.18% $875,300 Marian Hossa $6,000,000
2007–08 $36,580,000 -2.73% $1,100,000 Ilya Kovalchuk $5,500,000

Pacific Division

The current iteration of the Pacific Division was created for the 2013–14 season; this division featured four teams from the old Pacific Division (three teams from California and one from Arizona) and the three Canadian teams that were present in the Northwest Division.

The Northwest Division paid out $1,544,681,647 to its players between 1998–99 and 2007–08 ($35,922,829 per team per season). The Colorado Avalanche had the highest player payrolls in the Northwest Division in this time, totalling $450,095,084 ($50,010,565 per season);[13][24] the Minnesota Wild were the lowest paying team in the division (and in the league, for the seven years since they have been a part of it), with total payrolls of $187,278,126 ($26,754,018 per season).[17]

The Pacific Division had payrolls of $1,809,560,920 ($40,212,465 per team per season) in the seasons between 1998–99 and 2007–08. The Dallas Stars paid the most in the Pacific Division over these nine seasons, with players receiving $452,957,886 ($50,328,654 per season),[13][25] and the Phoenix Coyotes paid the least in the division over that time, with total payrolls of $303,728,146 ($33,747,572 per season); that team would file for bankruptcy in 2009 and was owned by the NHL until just before the 2013–14 season.[13][26]

Anaheim Ducks

These are the salaries for the Anaheim Ducks.

Year Team payroll % change Median salary Top paid player(s) Highest salary
1998–99 $30,400,000
1999–2000 $35,100,000 15.46%
2000–01 $28,430,000 -19.00% $600,000 Paul Kariya $10,000,000
2001–02 $35,009,000 23.14% $962,500 Paul Kariya $10,000,000
2002–03 $45,519,500 30.02% $1,073,750 Paul Kariya $10,000,000
2003–04 $53,296,750 17.09% $1,267,500 Sergei Fedorov $10,000,000
2005–06 $32,060,233 -39.85% $684,000 Scott Niedermayer $6,750,000
2006–07 $40,461,433 26.20% $684,000 Scott Niedermayer $6,750,000
2007–08 $50,769,200 25.48% $1,223,500 Scott Niedermayer $6,750,000

Arizona Coyotes

These are the salaries for the Arizona Coyotes.

Year Team payroll % change Median salary Top paid player(s) Highest salary
1998–99 $28,000,000
1999–2000 $31,000,000 10.71%
2000–01 $34,626,833 11.70% $687,500 Jeremy Roenick $5,000,000
2001–02 $31,854,433 -8.01% $1,046,250 Teppo Numminen $4,750,000
2002–03 $35,917,435 12.75% $1,000,000 Teppo Numminen $4,750,000
2003–04 $39,249,750 9.28% $1,075,000 Sean Burke $4,500,000
2005–06 $30,354,345 -22.66% $900,600 Shane Doan $3,002,000
2006–07 $37,030,600 21.99% $982,300 Ed Jovanovski $7,000,000
2007–08 $35,694,750 -3.61% $850,000 Ed Jovanovski $7,000,000


Calgary Flames

These are the salaries for the Calgary Flames. The Calgary Flames held the unique distinction of being the only team to have increased their payroll every year between the 1998–99 season and the 2007–08 season.

Year Team payroll % change Median salary Top paid player(s) Highest salary
1998–99 $20,700,000
1999–2000 $21,600,000 4.35%
2000–01 $26,542,500 22.88% $1,025,000 Mike Vernon $3,250,000
2001–02 $26,915,000 1.40% $800,000 Roman Turek $2,800,000
2002–03 $32,217,000 19.70% $820,000 Jarome Iginla $5,500,000
2003–04 $36,402,575 12.99% $950,000 Jarome Iginla $7,500,000
2005–06 $36,589,140 0.51% $1,140,000 Jarome Iginla $7,000,000
2006–07 $45,831,400 25.26% $1,475,000 Jarome Iginla $7,000,000
2007–08 $50,934,900 11.14% $1,500,000 Jarome Iginla $7,000,000


Edmonton Oilers

These are the salaries for the Edmonton Oilers.

Year Team payroll % change Median salary Top paid player(s) Highest salary
1998–99 $21,900,000
1999–2000 $24,000,000 9.59%
2000–01 $25,050,000 4.38% $925,000 Doug Weight $4,300,000
2001–02 $24,317,250 -2.93% $903,750 Tommy Salo $3,000,000
2002–03 $27,932,500 14.87% $1,000,000 Tommy Salo $3,500,000
2003–04 $33,375,000 19.48% $1,075,000 Tommy Salo $3,900,000
2005–06 $38,469,340 15.26% $1,083,000 Chris Pronger $6,250,000
2006–07 $42,280,000 9.91% $1,026,000 Dwayne Roloson $4,500,000
2007–08 $46,915,659 10.96% $1,350,000 Sheldon Souray $6,250,000

Los Angeles Kings

These are the salaries for the Los Angeles Kings.

Year Team payroll % change Median salary Top paid player(s) Highest salary
1998–99 $30,600,000
1999–2000 $34,600,000 13.07%
2000–01 $34,557,500 -0.12% $1,412,500 Zigmund Palffy $5,000,000
2001–02 $39,656,488 14.76% $1,525,000 Zigmund Palffy $6,000,000
2002–03 $37,412,434 -5.66% $750,000 Zigmund Palffy $7,250,000
2003–04 $53,833,800 43.89% $950,000 Jason Allison $8,000,000
2005–06 $37,856,150 -29.68% $874,000 Jeremy Roenick $4,940,000
2006–07 $40,680,000 7.46% $1,195,500 Rob Blake $6,000,000
2007–08 $40,502,000 -0.44% $1,400,000 Rob Blake $6,000,000

San Jose Sharks

These are the salaries for the San Jose Sharks.

Year Team payroll % change Median salary Top paid player(s) Highest salary
1998–99 $35,600,000
1999–2000 $37,600,000 5.62%
2000–01 $42,070,000 11.89% $1,050,000 Teemu Selanne $8,000,000
2001–02 $48,550,000 15.40% $1,300,000 Teemu Selanne $9,500,000
2002–03 $37,539,200 -22.68% $1,300,000 Teemu Selanne $6,500,000
2003–04 $34,455,000 -8.22% $1,200,000 Vincent Damphousse $4,000,000
2005–06 $31,005,400 -10.01% $684,000 Joe Thornton $6,600,000
2006–07 $43,856,000 41.45% $787,500 Joe Thornton $6,670,000
2007–08 $41,454,800 -5.48% $800,000 Joe Thornton $6,670,000

Vancouver Canucks

These are the salaries for the Vancouver Canucks.

Year Team payroll % change Median salary Top paid player(s) Highest salary
1998–99 $28,200,000
1999–2000 $34,000,000 20.57%
2000–01 $24,703,750 -27.34% $887,500 Andrew Cassels $3,050,000
2001–02 $29,984,579 21.38% $900,000 Trevor Linden
Markus Naslund		 $4,000,000
2002–03 $34,075,000 13.64% $1,025,000 Trevor Linden $4,800,000
2003–04 $42,074,500 23.48% $1,113,750 Todd Bertuzzi $6,800,000
2005–06 $43,711,344 3.89% $941,411 Markus Naslund $6,000,000
2006–07 $42,877,000 -1.91% $900,000 Roberto Luongo
Markus Naslund		 $6,000,000
2007–08 $45,710,000 6.61% $1,100,000 Roberto Luongo $6,500,000

Vegas Golden Knights

These are the salaries for the Vegas Golden Knights, which began operations in the 2017–18 season.

Year Team payroll % change Median salary Top paid player(s) Highest salary
2017–18 $46,231,034
2018–19 $61,747,543
2019–20 $92,201,835

See also

Notes and references

  1. ^ Collective Bargaining Agreement between National Hockey League and National Hockey League Players' Association, p. 217:
    "the Lower Limit and the Upper Limit of the Range shall be calculated [...] using Preliminary HRR and Preliminary Benefits, which shall be based upon the Initial HRR Report for the immediately preceding League Year."
  2. ^ Collective Bargaining Agreement between National Hockey League and National Hockey League Players' Association, p.236:
    "No SPC may provide for a total aggregate Player Salary and Bonuses that is in excess of twenty (20) percent of the Upper Limit for any League Year"
  3. ^ Collective Bargaining Agreement between National Hockey League and National Hockey League Players' Association, p. 217:
    "the Lower Limit of the Range shall be $21.5 million"
  4. ^ "2012–13 NHL Team Payrolls". Capology. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  5. ^ "2013–14 NHL Team Payrolls". Capology. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  6. ^ "2014–15 NHL Team Payrolls". Capology. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  7. ^ "2015–16 NHL Team Payrolls". Capology. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  8. ^ "2016–17 NHL Team Payrolls". Capology. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  9. ^ "2017–18 NHL Team Payrolls". Capology. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  10. ^ "2018–19 NHL Team Payrolls". Capology. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  11. ^ a b According to ESPN's attendance figures for the NHL, attendance for the Southeast Division home games has averaged only 15,743 (82.8 percent) between 2000–01 and 2007–08, with a league average of 16,807 (91.3 percent).
  12. ^ a b New York Rangers salaries from 2000–01 to 2007—08 at USA Today Salary Database
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o HockeyZonePlus: NHL Team Payrolls Archived 2008-06-17 at the Wayback Machine — used only for 1998–99 and 1999–2000 payroll figures
  14. ^ a b Detroit Red Wings salaries from 2000–01 to 2007—08 at USA Today Salary Database
  15. ^ a b c Nashville Predators salaries from 2000–01 to 2007—08 at USA Today Salary Database
  16. ^ a b Atlanta Thrashers salaries from 2000–01 to 2007—08 at USA Today Salary Database
  17. ^ a b Minnesota Wild salaries from 2000–01 to 2007—08 at USA Today Salary Database
  18. ^ Pittsburgh Penguins salaries from 2000–01 to 2007—08 at USA Today Salary Database
  19. ^ a b c d e f g h i This was the lowest payroll in the league in the given year.
  20. ^ a b c d e f g h i This was the highest payroll in the league in the given year.
  21. ^ Toronto Maple Leafs salaries from 2000–01 to 2007—08 at USA Today Salary Database
  22. ^ Buffalo Sabres salaries from 2000–01 to 2007—08 at USA Today Salary Database
  23. ^ Washington Capitals salaries from 2000–01 to 2007—08 at USA Today Salary Database
  24. ^ Colorado Avalanche salaries from 2000–01 to 2007—08 at USA Today Salary Database
  25. ^ Dallas Stars salaries from 2000–01 to 2007—08 at USA Today Salary Database
  26. ^ Phoenix Coyotes salaries from 2000–01 to 2007—08 at USA Today Salary Database

References

Categories