On April 24th in 1933, Robert Alan Eagleson was born in St. Catherines, Ontario. Once considered the most powerful man in hockey, Eagleson's reputation was destroyed and person imprisoned when his fraudulent ways towards his colleagues and clients were revealed.
Starting out as a player agent before pioneering the NHLPA and international tournaments among professionals (1972 Summit Series, 1976 Canada Cup), the NHL icon was enshrined into the Hockey Hall of Fame and appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1989 only to have both honors stripped nine years later upon cross border convictions.
The unraveling originated with articles penned by player agents Ritch Winter and Ron Salcer, and Eagle-Tribune sports editor Russ Conway. Allegations of embezzlement, colluding to repress player salaries, misrepresenting player negotiations, and skimming disability funds resulted in disbarment as a lawyer, U.S. courts taking his money ($700,000) and Canada's his freedom (18 month sentence of which he served six), as described in Conway's 'Game Misconduct'.
That's today in NHL history.
Thursday, April 24, 2025
Today In NHL History - Alan Eagleson
Saturday, February 1, 2025
Today In NHL History - Gary Bettman
On February 1st in 1993, former NBA senior vice-president and general counsel Gary Bettman was appointed Commissioner of the NHL. As clever as he is unpopular, Bettman has brought tremendous change to the game introducing and alienating fans alike.
During his 30 year tenure, Bettman has presided over the:
- elimination of traditionally named divisions (Adams, Patrick, Norris, Smythe) and conferences (Clarence Campbell, Prince of Wales) in favor of vaguely geographically identifiable divisions (Northeast, Atlantic, Central, Pacific) and conferences (Western, Eastern) (1993);
- realignment of teams into unbalanced divisions (Metropolitan, Atlantic, Central, Pacific) and conferences (Western, Eastern) (2013);
- expansion of six teams - Anaheim Ducks (1993), Florida Panthers (1993), Nashville Predators (1998), Atlanta Thrashers (1999), Minnesota Wild (2000), Columbus Blue Jackets (2000);
- relocation of five teams - Minnesota North Stars to Dallas (1993), Quebec Nordiques to Denver (1995), Winnipeg Jets to Phoenix (1996), Hartford Whalers to Raleigh (1997), Atlanta Thrashers to Winnipeg (2011);
- introduction of NHL players in Winter Olympic Games (1995);
- introduction of regular season games overseas (1997);
- addition of two divisions - Southeast, Northwest (1998);
- massive team realignment extinguishing historic divisional rivalries (1993-2000);
- overhaul of the playoff system mandating that teams play out of their conference rather than their division (1993);
- awarding of each division winner with one of the top three spots in the conference for playoff match-up purposes regardless of where their points would otherwise place them in the standings (1998);
- awarding of one point to teams losing in sudden death overtime thereby extending differing point values to games depending on their duration (2pts for regulation games, 3pts for overtime games)(1999);
- introduction of regular season outdoor games in the form of the Heritage Classic (2003), Winter Classic (2008) and Stadium Series (2014);
- introduction of a salary cap tied to league revenues (2005);
- introduction of a shootout to resolve games tied at the end of overtime guaranteeing 2pts for a regulation game and 3pts for an overtime game (2005);
- banishment of the lion's share of nationally televised games to the Versus network (presently known as the NBC Sports Network) (2005);
- drastic reduction of inter-conference games in favor of 24 divisional games each season (2008);
- explosion of player salaries and ticket prices (1993-present); and
- three work stoppages (104 days during the 1994-1995 season, entire 2004-2005 season, 119 days during the 2012-2013 season).
When not working to improve the game and line owners pockets with increased revenues, he can be found being booed in arenas league-wide.
That's today in NHL history.
Wednesday, October 9, 2019
NHL Minimum Wage & Maximum Wage By Year
In July of 2005, the NHL and NHLPA finalized the 2005 CBA ending a 310 day lockout that resulted in the loss of a season. The core feature of the accord was the introduction a salary cap, setting team spending limits based on league revenue and tying player salaries to such limits.
The maximum player salary was capped at 20% of the team salary cap. Meanwhile, the minimum player salary jumped 257% from $180,000 to $450,000 with fixed bumps in future years. The chart below shows NHL minimum and maximum player salaries by year since 2005.
| Year | Salary Cap | NHL Minimum | NHL Maximum |
| 2005-2006 |
$39.0m
|
$450,000
|
$7.8m
|
| 2006-2007 |
$44.0m
|
$450,000
|
$8.8m
|
| 2007-2008 |
$50.3m
|
$475,000
|
$10.06m
|
| 2008-2009 |
$56.7m
|
$475,000
|
$11.34m
|
| 2009-2010 |
$56.8m
|
$500,000
|
$11.36m
|
| 2010-2011 |
$59.4m
|
$500,000
|
$11.88m
|
| 2011-2012 |
$64.3m
|
$525,000
|
$12.86m
|
| 2012-2013 |
$70.2m
|
$525,000
|
$14.04m
|
| 2013-2014 |
$64.3m
|
$550,000
|
$12.86m
|
| 2014-2015 |
$69.0m
|
$550,000
|
$13.8m
|
| 2015-2016 |
$71.4m
|
$575,000
|
$14.3m
|
| 2016-2017 |
$73.0m
|
$575,000
|
$14.6m
|
| 2017-2018 |
$75.0m
|
$650,000
|
$15.0m
|
| 2018-2019 |
$79.5m
|
$650,000
|
$15.9m
|
| 2019-2020 |
$81.5m
|
$700,000
|
$16.3m
|
| Year | NHL Minimum | % of Cap | 1.15% of Cap |
| 2005-2006 |
$450,000
|
1.15%
|
$450,000
|
| 2006-2007 |
$450,000
|
1.02%
|
$506,000
|
| 2007-2008 |
$475,000
|
.944%
|
$578,000
|
| 2008-2009 |
$475,000
|
.837%
|
$652,000
|
| 2009-2010 |
$500,000
|
.880%
|
$653,000
|
| 2010-2011 |
$500,000
|
.841%
|
$683,000
|
| 2011-2012 |
$525,000
|
.816%
|
$739,000
|
| 2012-2013 |
$525,000
|
.747%
|
$807,000
|
| 2013-2014 |
$550,000
|
.816%
|
$739,000
|
| 2014-2015 |
$550,000
|
.797%
|
$793,000
|
| 2015-2016 |
$575,000
|
.805%
|
$821,100
|
| 2016-2017 |
$575,000
|
.787%
|
$829,500
|
| 2017-2018 |
$650,000
|
.867%
|
$862,500
|
| 2018-2019 |
$650,000
|
.818%
|
$914,250
|
| 2019-2020 |
$700,000
|
.859%
|
$937,250
|
If minimum wage had been tied to 1.15% of the team salary cap instead of anchoring it to a fixed dollar rate schedule, NHL minimum earners would have received an extra $100,000 in 2007-2008, $200,000 more in 2011-2012, and almost $300,000 more in 2012-2013. In fact, in the fourteen years since the 2005 wage hike, tying it to such a percentage would have yielded an extra $2.6m for such skaters during that span, equaling an additional $187,000 each year on average.
The NHL's minimum wage is scheduled to increase in the coming years reaching $650,000 in 2017-2018, $700,000 in 2019-2020, and $750,000 in 2021-2022. The maximum player salary shall remain at 20% of team salary cap during this span.
When the current CBA expires after the 2021-2022 season, perhaps the NHLPA should vie to tie minimum wage to a percentage of the team salary cap (with a floor of a 5% bump on prior year pay) so players at both ends of the hockey spectrum can share in increased NHL revenues. Equity for all skaters, regardless of role and talent.
* See also NHL Highest Paid Players By Year.
* See also NHL Highest Player Salary & Cap Hit By Position.
* See also Rethinking NHL Player Salary Structure.
Friday, October 4, 2019
NHL Highest Player Salary & Cap Hit By Position
Since the NHL salary cap was introduced in 2005, clubs have kept a close eye on two key player payroll markers - cap hit and salary. Cap hit corresponds to the dollar amount applied towards team salary cap whereas salary connotes a player's actual take home pay.
The chart below presents 2019-2020 NHL player cap hit and salary figures for the top ten players in each position per Cap Friendly.
2019-2020 NHL Player Cap Hit By Position
Forward
$m
Defense
$m
Goalie
$m
McDavid
12.5
Karlsson
11.5
Price
10.5
Panarin
11.6
Doughty
11
Bobrovsky
10
Matthews
11.6
Subban
9
Lundqvist
8.5
Tavares
11
Ekman-Larsson
8.2
Fleury
7
Marner
10.8
Burns
8
Rask
7
Toews
10.5
Carlson
8
Gibson
6.4
Kane
10.5
Trouba
8
Hellebuyck
6.1
Kopitar
10
Hedman
7.8
Holtby
6.1
Eichel
10
Weber
7.8
Crawford
6
Seguin
9.8
Byfuglien
7.6
Schneider
6
2019-2020 NHL Player Salary By Position
Forward
$m
Defense
$m
Goalie
$m
Marner
16
Karlsson
14.5
Price
15
Tavares
15.9
Doughty
12
Bobrovsky
11.5
Matthews
15.9
Carlson
12
Fleury
8.5
McDavid
15
Trouba
12
Quick
7
Panarin
14
Burns
10
Lundqvist
7
Seguin
13.5
Subban
10
Jones
6.7
Benn
13
Suter
9
Rask
6.5
Aho
12
Ekblad
9
Gibson
6.4
Kucherov
12
Schmidt
8.8
Rinne
6
Rantanen
12
McDonagh
8.4
Varlamov
6
Stone
12
Hellebuyck
6
Schneider
6
The 2005 CBA permitted a player's cap hit and salary figure to diverge dramatically in the same season and over the course of a multi-year contract. Thus, despite Marner ($16m) being paid the most this season, it's actually McDavid ($12.5m), who costs the most consuming more of his team's $81.5m cap limit than any other player. The 2013 CBA limits this cap-circumvention loophole providing that no multi-year contract can fluctuate more than 35% year-to-year on salary amounts and 50% from the lowest salary year to the highest salary year.
Another interesting facet of modern player contracts are signing bonus payments (as opposed to performance bonus payments). The genius of structuring player compensation as a bonus is that the earnings are not subject to escrow withholdings and are payable during lockouts.
When a player retires their cap hit does not typically count against the team's cap limit. Two notable exceptions to this rule include: (1) all remaining years of any contract signed by players 35 years of age or older continue to count against a team's cap after retirement; and (2) if a player retires and the salary on any remaining years is less than the cap hit of those remaining years, the difference is recouped and charged to the team's cap for those remaining years. A list of all current 35+ contracts may be found here.
As for injuries, teams must still pay a player's salary while injured but the cap hit does not count against the club (LTIR & SOIR).
A listing of the highest paid players in the NHL since 1989-1990, along with the teams responsible for cutting their checks, can be found here.
* See also NHL Highest Paid Players By Year.
* See also Rethinking NHL Player Salary Structure.
* See also NHL Minimum Wage & Maximum Wage By Year.
Monday, September 16, 2019
NHL Highest Paid Players By Year
NHL player salaries have seen fantastic fluctuations over the past two decades owing to aggressive player negotiations, reckless owner spending, and the introduction of the NHL salary cap in 2005.
The chart below shows the highest paid players in the NHL in terms of annual salary since 1989-1990 and the team responsible for payment.
| Year | Salary | Player |
| 1989-1990 | $2,000,000 | Lemieux (PIT) |
| 1990-1991 | $3,000,000 | Gretzky (LAK) |
| 1991-1992 | $3,000,000 | Gretzky (LAK) |
| 1992-1993 | $3,500,000 | Lindros (PHI) |
| 1993-1994 | $3,350,000 | Lindros (PHI) |
| 1994-1995 | $3,660,000 | Gretzky (LAK) |
| 1995-1996 | $6,540,000 | Gretzky (LAK, STL) |
| 1996-1997 | $11,350,000 | Lemieux (PIT) |
| 1997-1998 | $16,450,000 | Sakic (COL) |
| 1998-1999 | $14,500,000 | Fedorov (DET) |
| 1999-2000 | $17,400,000 | Jagr (PIT) |
| 2000-2001 | $10,000,000 | Forsberg (COL), Kariya (ANA) |
| 2001-2002 | $11,000,000 | Jagr (WAS) |
| 2002-2003 | $11,480,000 | Jagr (WAS) |
| 2003-2004 | $11,000,000 | Forsberg (COL), Jagr (WAS) |
| 2005-2006 | $8,360,000 | Jagr (NYR) |
| 2006-2007 | $8,360,000 | Jagr (NYR) |
| 2007-2008 | $10,000,000 | Briere (PHI), Gomez (NYR), Vanek (BUF) |
| 2008-2009 | $10,000,000 | Heatley (OTT) |
| 2009-2010 | $10,000,000 | Lecavalier (TBL) |
| 2010-2011 | $10,000,000 | Lecavalier (TBL), Luongo (VAN) |
| 2011-2012 | $12,000,000 | B. Richards (NYR) |
| 2012-2013 | $14,000,000 | Weber (NAS) |
| 2013-2014 | $14,000,000 | Weber (NAS) |
| 2014-2015 | $14,000,000 | Weber (NAS) |
| 2015-2016 | $14,000,000 | Weber (NAS) |
| 2016-2017 | $14,000,000 | Kopitar (LAK) |
| 2017-2018 | $13,800,000 | Kane (CHI), Toews (CHI) |
| 2018-2019 | $15,900,000 | Tavares (TOR) |
| 2019-2020 | $16,000,000 | Marner (TOR) |
Six times during this span Jagr led all players in pay (2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007) with Gretzky (1991, 1992, 1995, 1996) and Weber tied for second place with four such salary titles (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016). Only five times since 1990 has a goaltender (Luongo 2011) or a defenseman (Weber 2013-2016) led the league in pay.
In terms of accomplishments, three times during this span the NHL salary king has captured the Art Ross finishing with the most regular season points (Gretzky 1991, Lemieux 1997, Jagr 2000) yet only once has one hoisted the Stanley Cup (Forsberg 2001) in his highest paid year.
As for MVP honors, hockey writers and GMs have never recognized a top earner for regular season (Hart, Norris, Vezina) or playoff (Conn Smythe) performance during this period, though the players twice picked Jagr (2000, 2006) as such (Lindsay) during his six season pay day heyday.
Of course, since the salary cap was introduced in 2005, the key figure in terms of a player's cost to a team is his cap hit figure as opposed to his annual salary. A list of the top player salary and cap hit figures by position for the 2019-20 NHL season can be found here.
* See also NHL Highest Player Salary & Cap Hit By Position.
* See also NHL Minimum Wage & Maximum Wage By Year.
* See also Rethinking NHL Player Salary Structure.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
2010 Olympic Hockey Rosters By NHL Salary
Having analyzed the Olympic hockey rosters by NHL team and by league, it's time to tally salary. Using figures from NHL Numbers, the chart below outlines the total NHL salary and average NHL salary for each nation.
Team:----'---Total ----- Average
CAN (23): $123.6m --'- $5.4m
USA (23): -$80.9m ---' $3.5m
SWE (19):-'$72.3m ---'-$3.8m
RUS (14): -'$69.4m -''--$5.0m
FIN (18):'''-$59.9m ''''''-$3.3m
CZE (16): '''$53.2m -'---$3.3m
SLO (12): -'$46.5m -'---$3.9m
GER (6):---$10.6m -'---$1.8m
BLS (4): ---$9.9m --'---$2.5m
SUI (2): --'''$5.4m -'----$2.7m
LAT (2): ---$1.6m ------$0.8m
NOR (1):--''$0.6m---'''' $0.6m
From 1 to 23 NHL players per 23 man roster, the total NHL salary per team ranges from $0.6m to $123.6m, respectively. In terms of average NHL salary per team, Canada ($5.4m) and Russia ($5m) lead with the next five countries (Finland, Czech Republic, USA, Sweden, Slovakia) clustering at $3.3m to $3.9m per NHL player.
To put these dollars in perspective, the NHL salary cap for the '09-'10 season is set at $56.8m. If a NHL team were to spend the entire $56.8m the average roster player pay would be approximately $2.5m. Of the Olympic squads, 5 of 12 outspend this $56.8m marker (Canada, USA, Sweden, Russia, Finland) on NHL roster members alone and all but three (Germany, Latvia, Norway) match or best the $2.5m player average.
The purpose of studying NHL salary totals and averages on Olympic rosters is to appraise the quantity and quality, respectively, of talent from the world's best league skating in the Games. Though not always congruous with performance, salary often speaks to the integrity of ingredients which when combined with international experience and team chemistry tend to harvest medals in Olympic tournaments.
When the gold medal is awarded in 57 days the role of NHL salary will be told. Until then, it's just another proposition upon which to ponder.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Rethinking NHL Player Salary Structure
As the NHL braces for a future of economic uncertainty punctuated by failing franchises, GMs and player agents continue to bind their clients to onerous long-term fixed-dollar arrangements. Now partnered through the CBA's tying of team payrolls to league revenues, the NHL and NHLPA need a more imaginative mechanism to reward players and insulate owners as revenues expand and contract accordingly.
The solution lies in revising the standard player contract to state salaries beyond the present year as a percentage of the team cap limit rather than sums certain. For example, if a player signs a 5 year deal for $25m when the team cap limit is $50m the contract would be expressed as a '50% of current cap' contract spread over 5 years. The parties could then structure the percentage payout as they see fit (e.g. 15%-12%-10%-8%-5%, 10%-10%-10%-10%-10%, 6%-8%-10%-12%-14%) provided the total does not exceed the bargained for 50% over 5 years and the terms fall within the prescribed league minimum and maximum salary guidelines. Although the player's pay would likely vary from the contemplated $25m (unless, of course, the cap remained fixed for the 5 year term), their percentage of the signing-year salary cap would be constant.
The proposed 'percentage of current cap' contract serves to strengthen the existing owner/player partnership by building equity and elasticity into player contracts. Undoubtedly players will pine for fixed dollars in downturns and owners will miss pocketing profits when revenues rise. But the arrangement offers a sustainable financial future for all concerned, protecting against economic fluctuations and from reckless team representatives committing more than 100% of the salary cap pie.
Reluctant as they may be, further embracing and bolstering their inevitable association is the best course for fiscal health moving forward.
Comprehensive current and forward-looking team and individual player salary information may be found here. Present year only data is available from the NHLPA here. Historical team and player salary information is available at the USA Today salaries databases here.
* See also NHL Highest Paid Players By Year.
* See also NHL Minimum Wage & Maximum Wage By Year.
* See also NHL Highest Player Salary & Cap Hit By Position.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Markus Does What Mark Should Have
Twice in 12 years two thirty-something captains traveled from one coast to the other in hopes of reviving their once glorious past. The results of their respective journeys speak to the character of each.
The first ventured West in 1997, demanded the use of an unofficially retired number, saw his goal production drop from 36 to 22, and soaked the team for $18m over three years accepting $2m to avoid another $12m, while failing to lead his club to the playoffs leaving the locals livid.
The second traveled East in 2008, inverted his number in deference to a player six years his junior, scored one less goal (from 25 to 24) leading his team in the category, made the playoffs, and retired after one year sparing his team a costly cap hit and leaving with his integrity intact.
Neither Mark Messier nor Markus Naslund found their former selves on the opposite coast but both distinctly impressed upon their new constituents. While Messier's play paid in millions, Naslund's perception yielded a prize incapable of appraisal. A reputation as a true class act.
Bravo Markus for knowing when to say when. Your wealth is in judgment.
* See also Today In NHL History - Naslund Trade (PIT-VAN)
* See also Today In NHL History - Bertuzzi Punches Moore
* See also Markus Naslund Interview - Örnsköldsvik, SWE
* See also Today In NHL History - Queen Visits Canucks
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
2007 Commissioner Compensation
Recently the Sports Business Journal reported on commissioner salaries for the fiscal year-ending 2007. In that year, Gary Bettman collected $5.59m, ahead of the PGA Tour's Tim Finchem ($4.8m) and behind the NBA's David Stern ($10m), the NFL's Roger Goodell ($11.2m), and MLB's Bud Selig ($18.35m).
While only four baseball players out-earned Selig that year (Rodriguez, Jeter, Giambi, Clemens), 26 NHL players bested Bettman.
$8,360,000 Jaromir JagrWhen evaluating Bettman's bank in relation to his performance remember a commissioner is hired to serve the league's owners, not the fans. A subtlety likely not lost on lovers of the NHL.
$7,800,000 Brad Richards
$7,600,000 Nicklas Lidstrom
$7,600,000 Mats Sundin
$7,600,000 Alexei Yashin
$7,500,000 Zdeno Chara
$7,500,000 Patrick Elias
$7,166,667 Vincent Lecavalier
$7,150,000 Bryan McCabe
$7,000,000 Jarome Iginla
$7,000,000 Ed Jovanovski
$6,750,000 Nikolai Khabibulin
$6,750,000 Scott Niedermayer
$6,670,000 Joe Thornton
$6,500,000 Wade Redden
$6,250,000 Chris Pronger
$6,080,000 Sergei Federov
$6,000,000 Rob Blake
$6,000,000 Martin Havlat
$6,000,000 Marian Hossa
$6,000,000 Roberto Luongo
$6,000,000 Markus Naslund
$6,000,000 Martin St. Louis
$6,000,000 Marty Turco
$5,750,000 Peter Forsberg
$5,750,000 Joe Sakic
$5,590,000 Gary Bettman
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
NHL Players Decline To Terminate CBA Early
Last week the NHLPA declined to exercise their Section 3.1(b)(i) right to terminate the 2005 Collective Bargaining Agreement two years before its 2011 scheduled end date. So sure were the players of their decision, they responded to the NHL four months before their answer was due.
Once considered an owner victory, the CBA has delivered unanticipated player prosperity at the expense of the small market teams the salary cap structure was designed to protect. At its 2005 starting point, team payrolls were mandated to fall between a $21.5m floor and a $39m ceiling, with a minimum player salary of $450,000 (a 250% raise over pre-lockout levels) and a maximum of $7.8m (representing 20% of a team’s upper cap limit). In four short years, the payroll floor has increased 90% exceeding the 2005 cap ceiling by $1.7m.
Team Salary Cap Range ($m)With the individual player maximum salary rising 45% over the past four years, and the average player salary jumping from $1.8m to $2.2m during the same period, it's no wonder the NHLPA wants to maintain the CBA status quo. They've got their mind on their money.
2005: 21.5 - 39.0
2006: 28.0 - 44.0
2007: 34.3 - 50.3
2008: 40.7 - 56.7
Individual Player Maximum Salary ($m)
2005: 7.8
2006: 8.8
2007: 10.06
2008: 11.34
If the relationship continues to yield such dividends, don't be surprised if the NHLPA exercises their Section 3.1(b)(ii) right to extend this pimped out agreement for an additional year beyond its 2011 term.
Don't hate the player, hate the CBA.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
NHL All-Star Joke - Why Bother
This weekend, the best hockey players in the world will descend upon the holiest of cities to battle for interstellar conference domination. Players will skate together for the first and last time, yielding some of the most talented line combinations the game will ever know.
So why does nobody care about this year's NHL All-Star Game? Because there's nothing at stake. If you're going to bring the thoroughbreds to the track, for god's sake let them run. Hell, make 'em run.
In 2003, Major League Baseball did just that awarding the pennant winner of the league winning the All-Star Game with home field advantage for the upcoming World Series. Since then, the game has become a competitive affair with intra-conference rivals bonding over a mutually advantage prize. In short, it made the event relevant.
If you're going to ask NHL fans to top up a pension fund for workers who make a minimum of $475,000 each year, and on average almost $2,000,000 per year, the least you can do is bait the players with a meaningful prize. History as our witness, it takes more than a free car to get these horses out of the barn.
When the NHL's Article 22 Competition Committee convenes this weekend in Montreal, let's hope they see the wisdom of MLB's ways and follow suit awarding home ice advantage for the Stanley Cup finals to the winning conference of future NHL All-Star Games. Now that's something worth watching. Until then, why bother.