The 2011–12 NHL season produced one of the most unlikely champions in history. The Los Angeles Kings entered the playoffs as the 8th seed but dominated every opponent, losing only four games on their way to their first Stanley Cup. Goalie Jonathan Quick won the Conn Smythe for his nearly unbeatable play. During the regular season, Evgeni Malkin won the Hart Trophy with 109 points. This season also saw the NHL return to Winnipeg, as the Atlanta Thrashers, led by a dysfunctional and litigious ownership group, was sold to become the new Winnipeg Jets.
| vs previous season | ||||||
| Rank | Player | NHL Salary ($US) | In today's $ | +/- ($) | +/- (%) | |
| 1 | Brad Richards | $12,000,000 | $16,158,976 | $4,200,000 | 54% | |
| 2 | Christian Ehrhoff | $10,000,000 | $13,465,813 | $6,600,000 | 194% | |
| 2 | Ilya Bryzgalov | $10,000,000 | $13,465,813 | $5,500,000 | 122% | |
| 2 | Vincent Lecavalier | $10,000,000 | $13,465,813 | |||
| 5 | Alex Ovechkin | $9,000,000 | $12,119,232 | |||
| 5 | Evgeni Malkin | $9,000,000 | $12,119,232 | |||
| 5 | Sidney Crosby | $9,000,000 | $12,119,232 | |||
| 8 | Zdeno Chara | $8,500,000 | $11,445,941 | $1,000,000 | 13% | |
| 9 | Gary Bettman | $8,300,000 | $11,176,625 | $800,000 | 11% | |
| 10 | Dany Heatley | $8,000,000 | $10,772,650 | |||
| 10 | Duncan Keith | $8,000,000 | $10,772,650 | |||
| 10 | Glen Sather | $8,000,000 | $10,772,650 | |||
| 10 | Jason Spezza | $8,000,000 | $10,772,650 | |||
| 10 | Joe Thornton | $8,000,000 | $10,772,650 | $800,000 | 11% | |
| 10 | Steven Stamkos | $8,000,000 | $10,772,650 | $7,125,000 | 814% | |
| 10 | Wade Redden | $8,000,000 | $10,772,650 | |||
| 17 | Marian Hossa | $7,900,000 | $10,637,992 | |||
| 18 | Eric Staal | $7,750,000 | $10,436,005 | $250,000 | 3% | |
| 18 | Henrik Zetterberg | $7,750,000 | $10,436,005 | |||
| 20 | Chris Pronger | $7,600,000 | $10,234,018 | |||
| 21 | Marian Gaborik | $7,500,000 | $10,099,360 | |||
| 21 | Rick Nash | $7,500,000 | $10,099,360 | |||
| 21 | Scott Gomez | $7,500,000 | $10,099,360 | -$500,000 | -6% | |
| 21 | Shea Weber | $7,500,000 | $10,099,360 | $3,000,000 | 67% | |
| 25 | Mikko Koivu | $7,290,000 | $9,816,578 | $3,590,000 | 97% | |