How much money did NHL players make before the lockout?

Question

As in what was the contracts for an average player and superstars. I was too young too really care about contracts back then so I don't remember. I just can't imagine it being worse than the overpaid deals of this offseason. The NHL went into a full year lockkout to prevent salary inflation that was killing small market teams, ironic.

Answer 1

About the same as now.  Although many teams before the lockout couldn't afford to have $56 million in salaries.

Too many overpaid guys like Jeff Finger.  BUT its the same teams doing the overpaying.  Toronto and New York Rangers.  They continuously overpay for the wrong players and wonder why they can't find success.

Answer 2

less than the crazy stuff they're giving out right now. see jeff finger, leafs or micheal ryder, boston

Answer 3

The difference now is that the small market teams have the money to compete now.

ie, Edmonton's offer to Hossa was rumoured to be higher than what he signed in Detroit for.

It was way worse before, all the salaries just went to a select number of teams... and teams like Edmonton could only watch their superstars leave for more money. ie, Doug Weight, Bill Guerin, Curtis Joseph.

Answer 4

Gordie Howe made $27,500 in 1966....Mario Lemieux made $2 million in 1990, Luc Robitaille made $210,000 with the Kings in '90. It all depended on the player's agent, and the team he played for. Gretzky made almost $300,000 less than Lemieux at that time.

In 1989-90, the average salary was $201,000, and by the end of the '91 season, the average salary went up to $271,000.....by 1999 it was $1.3 million, and the average salary was $1.8 million in 03-04, the season before the lockout.