The 2005–06 NHL season was a revitalization of the sport following the lockout. New rules eliminated the "red line" and restricted goaltender equipment, leading to a massive surge in scoring. The season featured the spectacular debuts of Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin, with Ovechkin winning the Calder Trophy. The Carolina Hurricanes won their first Stanley Cup, defeating the Edmonton Oilers in seven games. Joe Thornton became the first player to win the Hart Trophy after being traded mid-season, and rookie goalie Cam Ward led Carolina to glory.
| vs 2003-04 | ||||||
| Rank | Player | NHL Salary ($US) | In today's $ | +/- ($) | +/- (%) | |
| 1 | Jaromir Jagr | $8,360,000 | $13,797,061 | -$2,640,000 | -24% | |
| 2 | Sergei Fedorov | $8,000,000 | $13,202,929 | -$2,000,000 | -20% | |
| 3 | Nicklas Lidstrom | $7,600,000 | $12,542,783 | -$2,400,000 | -24% | |
| 3 | Keith Tkachuk | $7,600,000 | $12,542,783 | -$2,400,000 | -24% | |
| 3 | Alexei Yashin | $7,600,000 | $12,542,783 | -$800,000 | -10% | |
| 6 | Jarome Iginla | $7,000,000 | $11,552,563 | -$500,000 | -7% | |
| 7 | Mats Sundin | $6,840,000 | $11,288,504 | -$2,160,000 | -24% | |
| 8 | Scott Niedermayer | $6,750,000 | $11,139,971 | $2,750,000 | 69% | |
| 8 | Nikolai Khabibulin | $6,750,000 | $11,139,971 | $2,315,421 | 52% | |
| 10 | Bill Guerin | $6,738,498 | $11,120,989 | -$2,127,947 | -24% | |
| 11 | Joe Sakic | $6,664,797 | $10,999,355 | -$3,216,142 | -33% | |
| 12 | Joe Thornton | $6,660,000 | $10,991,438 | $1,160,000 | 21% | |
| 13 | Ilya Kovalchuk | $6,500,000 | $10,727,380 | $5,370,000 | 475% | |
| 13 | Martin St. Louis | $6,500,000 | $10,727,380 | $5,000,000 | 333% | |
| 15 | Bobby Holik | $6,492,000 | $10,714,177 | -$2,108,000 | -25% | |
| 16 | Rob Blake | $6,364,112 | $10,503,115 | -$2,962,407 | -32% | |
| 17 | Chris Pronger | $6,250,000 | $10,314,788 | -$3,250,000 | -34% | |
| 18 | Vincent Lecavalier | $6,000,000 | $9,902,197 | $3,375,000 | 129% | |
| 18 | Markus Naslund | $6,000,000 | $9,902,197 | $775,000 | 15% | |
| 20 | Peter Forsberg | $5,750,000 | $9,489,605 | -$5,250,000 | -48% | |
| 21 | Doug Weight | $5,700,000 | $9,407,087 | -$2,800,000 | -33% | |
| 22 | Todd Bertuzzi | $5,269,080 | $8,695,911 | $1,569,080 | 42% | |
| 23 | Martin Brodeur | $5,237,238 | $8,643,360 | -$1,653,865 | -24% | |
| 24 | Derian Hatcher | $5,146,667 | $8,493,885 | $146,667 | 3% | |
| 25 | Marian Hossa | $5,000,000 | $8,251,831 | $2,250,000 | 82% | |