The 2015–16 NHL season saw the Pittsburgh Penguins return to the top under new coach Mike Sullivan. Their "HBK Line" and the speed of their roster overwhelmed the San Jose Sharks in the Finals. Sidney Crosby won his first Conn Smythe Trophy. The season was also notable for the emergence of rookie sensation Artemi Panarin and the final season for the legendary Pavel Datsyuk. Additionally, the 3-on-3 overtime format was introduced, drastically reducing the number of shootouts and adding a new level of excitement to regular-season games.
| vs previous season | ||||||
| Rank | Player | NHL Salary ($US) | In today's $ | +/- ($) | +/- (%) | |
| 1 | Shea Weber | $14,000,000 | $19,037,212 | |||
| 2 | Patrick Kane | $13,800,000 | $18,765,252 | $7,300,000 | 112% | |
| 2 | Jonathan Toews | $13,800,000 | $18,765,252 | $7,300,000 | 112% | |
| 4 | Sidney Crosby | $12,000,000 | $16,317,610 | |||
| 5 | Alexander Radulov | $10,650,000 | $14,481,879 | |||
| 6 | Alex Ovechkin | $10,000,000 | $13,598,009 | |||
| 6 | Henrik Lundqvist | $10,000,000 | $13,598,009 | -$1,000,000 | -9% | |
| 6 | Phil Kessel | $10,000,000 | $13,598,009 | |||
| 9 | Gary Bettman | $9,600,000 | $13,054,088 | |||
| 10 | Evgeni Malkin | $9,500,000 | $12,918,108 | |||
| 10 | Eric Staal | $9,500,000 | $12,918,108 | $250,000 | 3% | |
| 12 | Ryan Getzlaf | $9,250,000 | $12,578,158 | $500,000 | 6% | |
| 13 | Ryan Suter | $9,000,000 | $12,238,208 | -$2,000,000 | -18% | |
| 13 | Zach Parise | $9,000,000 | $12,238,208 | -$2,000,000 | -18% | |
| 13 | Corey Perry | $9,000,000 | $12,238,208 | |||
| 13 | Claude Giroux | $9,000,000 | $12,238,208 | -$1,000,000 | -10% | |
| 17 | Vincent Lecavalier | $8,928,572 | $12,141,080 | -$1,500,000 | -14% | |
| 18 | Mike Babcock | $8,875,000 | $12,068,233 | $2,625,000 | 42% | |
| 19 | Patrice Bergeron | $8,750,000 | $11,898,258 | |||
| 20 | Sergei Bobrovsky | $8,500,000 | $11,558,307 | $2,250,000 | 36% | |
| 21 | Dion Phaneuf | $8,000,000 | $10,878,407 | |||
| 21 | Vladimir Tarasenko | $8,000,000 | $10,878,407 | $7,100,000 | 789% | |
| 21 | Derek Stepan | $8,000,000 | $10,878,407 | $4,150,000 | 108% | |
| 24 | Rick Nash | $7,900,000 | $10,742,427 | |||
| 24 | Marian Hossa | $7,900,000 | $10,742,427 | |||