The 1989–90 NHL season proved the Edmonton Oilers were still a dynasty, even without Wayne Gretzky. Led by Mark Messier, who won the Hart Trophy, the Oilers captured their fifth Stanley Cup in seven years by defeating the Boston Bruins. Wayne Gretzky, now with the Kings, secured his seventh Art Ross Trophy. This season marked a milestone in globalization, as Soviet stars like Sergei Makarov and Vyacheslav Fetisov made their debuts. In net, Patrick Roy led the league in save percentage, while Ray Bourque took home the Norris Trophy as the league's top defenseman.
Mario Lemieux, Steve Yzerman, and Wayne Gretzky were the only NHLers earning over a million a year in base salary.
| Rank | Player | NHL Salary ($US) | In today's $ | |
| 1 | Mario Lemieux | $2,500,000 | $6,108,333 | |
| 2 | Steve Yzerman | $1,800,000 | $4,398,000 | |
| 3 | Wayne Gretzky | $1,720,000 | $4,202,533 | |
| 4 | Chris Chelios | $929,500 | $2,271,078 | |
| 5 | Mark Messier | $837,142 | $2,045,416 | |
| 6 | Bryan Trottier | $800,000 | $1,954,666 | |
| 7 | Marcel Dionne | $600,000 | $1,466,000 | |
| 7 | Viacheslav Fetisov | $600,000 | $1,466,000 | |
| 9 | Larry Robinson | $550,000 | $1,343,833 | |
| 10 | Denis Savard | $525,000 | $1,282,750 | |
| 11 | Dale Hawerchuk | $507,000 | $1,238,770 | |
| 11 | Michel Goulet | $507,000 | $1,238,770 | |
| 13 | Dave Taylor | $500,000 | $1,221,667 | |
| 13 | Doug Wilson | $500,000 | $1,221,667 | |
| 13 | Raymond Bourque | $500,000 | $1,221,667 | |
| 13 | Ron Hextall | $500,000 | $1,221,667 | |
| 13 | Tim Kerr | $500,000 | $1,221,667 | |
| 18 | Paul Coffey | $450,000 | $1,099,500 | |
| 19 | Mike Liut | $445,000 | $1,087,283 | |
| 20 | Al MacInnis | $443,625 | $1,083,924 | |
| 21 | Borje Salming | $435,000 | $1,062,850 | |
| 22 | Mark Howe | $425,000 | $1,038,417 | |
| 23 | Jari Kurri | $422,500 | $1,032,308 | |
| 24 | Tomas Sandstrom | $410,000 | $1,001,767 | |
| 25 | Peter Stastny | $405,600 | $991,016 |
Photo credit: Upper Deck 1990-91