NHL salaries have exploded in recent decades, reflecting the league’s financial growth and increasing player valuation. While stars now command contracts exceeding $12 million annually, the legends of the past played for fractions of that—even when adjusted for inflation. But if the greatest players in hockey history laced up in the current salary-cap period, how would their earnings compare? Would dynasties still exist? And how would the financial structure of the league change?

By analyzing historical salary data, inflation-adjusted figures, and modern contract trends, we can assess what Gretzky, Orr, and other icons would be worth in today’s NHL.

NHL Salaries and Interactive Fan Engagement

The steady climb in NHL salaries reflects more than just inflation—it’s a testament to the league’s growing revenue streams, from media rights deals to international markets. The influx of sponsorships, arena partnerships, and digital streaming platforms also plays a significant role in improving financial opportunities. Fans today are not just watching the game but can also participate by playing slots in real-time, adding an interactive element to the viewing experience. With a strategic slots strategy incorporating both luck and decision-making, you can follow the game in an even more engaging way.

Wayne Gretzky in 2024: How Much Would He Really Make?

During his prime in the late 1980s, Gretzky’s salary peaked around $3 million per season—a figure that, adjusted for inflation, equates to roughly $7 million CAD today. But given his unmatched production, his modern-day contract would shatter that.

Connor McDavid, the closest contemporary comparison, earns $12.5 million CAD per year, a figure expected to climb with his next deal. Given that Gretzky still holds nearly every significant offensive record, he would command a contract at or above $15 million CAD annually, pushing the limits of the NHL’s salary structure. Endorsements and personal brand deals—already lucrative in his time—would only amplify his total earnings. Additionally, with the prevalence of online casinos like Bitcasino.io and the rise in sports betting, Gretzky would have even more opportunities to generate income and further monetize his fame.

The Salary Cap Effect: Would Dynasties Even Exist Today?

Pre-cap NHL teams could stack rosters indefinitely, with powerhouse franchises holding onto star players for years. The 1980s Oilers, 1970s Canadiens, and 1990s Red Wings would have struggled under today’s financial constraints.

Consider the 1987-88 Oilers, featuring Gretzky, Messier, Kurri, and Coffey—keeping that core intact under the modern cap would be impossible. Instead, they’d resemble teams like the 2023-24 Colorado Avalanche, forced to let key players walk due to cap limitations. Modern front offices must manage contracts with surgical precision, leveraging entry-level deals and value contracts to sustain competitiveness over time.

Prehistoric Paychecks vs. Modern Money: A Side-by-Side Breakdown

Let’s take a look at the comparison between the salaries of some of hockey's most iconic players and their modern-day equivalents, converted to Canadian dollars (CAD):

• Wayne Gretzky: At his peak in 1990, Gretzky earned $3 million USD annually. Adjusted for inflation, that would be about $7 million CAD today, but in today’s market, given his record-setting career, he could command a deal worth $15 million CAD or more.
• Bobby Orr: In 1971, Orr made $200,000 USD, which in 2024 would be roughly $1.5 million CAD. In today’s NHL, top-tier defensemen like Cale Makar and Adam Fox are earning around $11-12 million CAD, meaning Orr, with his unparalleled impact on the game, would likely be making somewhere in the $12-14 million CAD range.
• Mario Lemieux: In 1997, Lemieux had a salary of $11 million USD. Adjusted for inflation, that figure climbs to around $21 million CAD. Considering current contracts for star forwards, Lemieux would be earning roughly $13 million CAD or more today.
• Gordie Howe: In 1968, Howe made just $45,000 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that would be around $400,000 CAD in today’s money. While it’s difficult to determine an exact figure for Howe in the current NHL, it’s safe to say that, had he played in today’s league, his salary could be in the range of $8-10 million CAD, based on comparable contracts for key players from past eras.

These figures underscore the widening gap between past and present earnings, particularly for generational talents whose value would push the salary cap’s upper limits.

How Role Players’ Salaries Have Skyrocketed

Perhaps the most striking financial change in the modern NHL isn’t at the top—it’s in the middle. Depth players and enforcers once earned near-league-minimum salaries, with little financial security beyond their playing careers.

Today, fourth-line forwards and bottom-pair defensemen routinely command $1-2 million CAD annually, while solid two-way centers earn $4-6 million CAD—contracts that would have been unthinkable a few decades ago. This increase reflects the adjustment in team-building strategies, where analytics-driven depth signings and structured cap management have become essential to sustaining success.

Would Bobby Orr Still Be the Highest-Paid Defenseman?

Orr’s dominance transformed the role of the defenseman, and his financial worth would reflect that today. At his peak in 1971, his $200,000 salary was record-setting—yet, even adjusted for inflation, it equates to only $1.5 million CAD in today’s dollars.

In today’s NHL, elite defensemen like Cale Makar, Adam Fox, and Erik Karlsson command upwards of $11-12 million CAD per year. Given Orr’s unmatched offensive impact and ability to control play, he would likely surpass this, signing in the $12-14 million CAD range, making him the highest-paid defenseman in the league.

What If the NHL Had No Salary Cap?

Without a cap, today’s stars would be making significantly more, and the financial gap between large and small-market teams would be staggering.

Franchises like Toronto, New York, and Montreal would have the resources to assemble near-unbeatable rosters. Instead of being limited to $12-13 million CAD per year, players like McDavid, Matthews, and Makar would be pushing the $20 million CAD mark, comparable to NBA superstars.

An unrestricted system would likely lead to dynasties reminiscent of pre-cap periods, but at the cost of league-wide parity. The current structure forces teams to distribute talent more evenly, creating a more competitive environment—though at the expense of what could be some truly legendary superteams.

Reflection of the League’s Growth

Had past legends played in today’s time, they wouldn’t just be remembered for their on-ice dominance—they’d be among the highest-paid athletes in sports history. This growth represents the development of the league’s global relevance, positioning the NHL as a major player in the global sports economy.