In this lockout year by NHL owners, the season ends up being shortened to 48 games and salaries are prorated accordingly. The New Jersey Devils win the Stanley Cup while Jaromir Jagr and Eric Lindros lead the league together with 70 points. Rookie Paul Kariya, drafted 4th overall by Anaheim the previous summer, is now the best-paid NHLer. He is followed by Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier, who respectively only get 48 and 53 points.
| vs previous season | ||||||
| Rank | Player | NHL Salary ($US) | In today's $ | +/- ($) | +/- (%) | |
| 1 | Paul Kariya | $5,103,571 | $10,429,575 | |||
| 2 | Wayne Gretzky | $3,737,159 | $7,637,198 | $737,159 | 25% | |
| 3 | Mark Messier | $3,596,059 | $7,348,848 | $1,063,059 | 42% | |
| 4 | Scott Stevens | $3,314,286 | $6,773,021 | $2,193,036 | 196% | |
| 5 | Pavel Bure | $2,571,429 | $5,254,930 | $1,850,679 | 257% | |
| 6 | Mario Lemieux | $2,326,531 | $4,754,461 | -$2,673,469 | -53% | |
| 7 | Eric Lindros | $2,080,000 | $4,250,654 | -$1,476,000 | -42% | |
| 8 | Pat LaFontaine | $2,036,454 | $4,161,665 | $215,454 | 12% | |
| 9 | Al MacInnis | $2,000,000 | $4,087,168 | $992,500 | 99% | |
| 9 | Brendan Shanahan | $2,000,000 | $4,087,168 | $1,000,000 | 100% | |
| 11 | Brett Hull | $1,885,714 | $3,853,615 | -$314,286 | -14% | |
| 12 | Steve Yzerman | $1,823,126 | $3,725,710 | -$876,874 | -32% | |
| 13 | Doug Gilmour | $1,724,286 | $3,523,722 | -$600,714 | -26% | |
| 14 | Sergei Fedorov | $1,711,366 | $3,497,319 | $1,416,366 | 480% | |
| 15 | Jaromir Jagr | $1,600,000 | $3,269,734 | $200,000 | 14% | |
| 16 | Mike Modano | $1,535,714 | $3,138,361 | $85,714 | 6% | |
| 17 | Chris Chelios | $1,514,286 | $3,094,570 | $414,286 | 38% | |
| 18 | Patrick Roy | $1,457,841 | $2,979,221 | $217,841 | 18% | |
| 19 | Alexander Mogilny | $1,428,571 | $2,919,406 | -$571,429 | -29% | |
| 19 | Mike Richter | $1,428,571 | $2,919,406 | $428,571 | 43% | |
| 21 | Theoren Fleury | $1,417,143 | $2,896,050 | -$1,062,857 | -43% | |
| 22 | Tom Barrasso | $1,338,286 | $2,734,899 | $113,286 | 9% | |
| 23 | Phil Housley | $1,285,714 | $2,627,465 | -$714,286 | -36% | |
| 23 | Pierre Turgeon | $1,285,714 | $2,627,465 | -$1,064,286 | -45% | |
| 23 | Raymond Bourque | $1,285,714 | $2,627,465 | -$964,286 | -43% | |