The 1993–94 NHL season saw the New York Rangers finally end a 54-year championship drought. After winning the Presidents' Trophy, the Rangers defeated the Vancouver Canucks in a classic seven-game Final. Captain Mark Messier famously guaranteed a win in the Conference Finals, cementing his legacy. Wayne Gretzky made history during the regular season by passing Gordie Howe as the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer. Meanwhile, Buffalo’s Dominik Hasek won his first Vezina Trophy, ushering in a decade of goaltending dominance and the beginning of the "Dead Puck" defensive era.
| vs previous season | ||||||
| Rank | Player | NHL Salary ($US) | In today's $ | +/- ($) | +/- (%) | |
| 1 | Mario Lemieux | $5,000,000 | $11,155,337 | $1,400,000 | 39% | |
| 2 | Eric Lindros | $3,556,000 | $7,933,676 | $56,000 | 2% | |
| 3 | Wayne Gretzky | $3,000,000 | $6,693,202 | |||
| 4 | Steve Yzerman | $2,700,000 | $6,023,882 | $900,000 | 50% | |
| 5 | Mark Messier | $2,533,000 | $5,651,294 | $148,000 | 6% | |
| 6 | Theoren Fleury | $2,480,000 | $5,533,047 | $2,211,225 | 823% | |
| 7 | Pierre Turgeon | $2,350,000 | $5,243,008 | $1,550,000 | 194% | |
| 8 | Doug Gilmour | $2,325,000 | $5,187,232 | $1,332,600 | 134% | |
| 9 | Raymond Bourque | $2,250,000 | $5,019,902 | $1,053,000 | 88% | |
| 10 | Brett Hull | $2,200,000 | $4,908,348 | $600,000 | 38% | |
| 11 | Mike Keenan | $2,010,875 | $4,486,398 | $1,810,875 | 905% | |
| 12 | Alexander Mogilny | $2,000,000 | $4,462,135 | $1,250,000 | 167% | |
| 12 | Phil Housley | $2,000,000 | $4,462,135 | $842,200 | 73% | |
| 14 | Alexandre Daigle | $1,975,000 | $4,406,358 | |||
| 15 | Pat LaFontaine | $1,821,000 | $4,062,774 | $46,000 | 3% | |
| 16 | Brian Leetch | $1,805,000 | $4,027,077 | $105,000 | 6% | |
| 17 | Marty McSorley | $1,800,000 | $4,015,921 | $1,150,000 | 177% | |
| 17 | Kelly Miller | $1,800,000 | $4,015,921 | $1,360,000 | 309% | |
| 19 | Joe Sakic | $1,705,000 | $3,803,970 | $878,000 | 106% | |
| 20 | Chris Pronger | $1,600,000 | $3,569,708 | |||
| 20 | Luc Robitaille | $1,600,000 | $3,569,708 | $200,000 | 14% | |
| 20 | Gary Roberts | $1,600,000 | $3,569,708 | $1,054,180 | 193% | |
| 20 | Grant Fuhr | $1,600,000 | $3,569,708 | $276,800 | 21% | |
| 24 | Mark Recchi | $1,550,000 | $3,458,155 | $650,000 | 72% | |
| 25 | Mike Modano | $1,450,000 | $3,235,048 | -$500,000 | -26% | |
| 25 | Craig Janney | $1,450,000 | $3,235,048 | $600,000 | 71% | |
Photo credit: Score, Fleer Ultra and Upper Deck.