These two players have already accounted for a larger share of their team’s payroll than Leo Carlsson

William Simoneau
These two players have already accounted for a larger share of their team’s payroll than Leo Carlsson
Credit: Capture d'écran / X

With the new massive contracts being handed out to young NHL stars, many fans are wondering just how high the salaries of the top players in the Bettman-led league can go.

Leo Carlsson's deal with the Anaheim Ducks and Connor Bedard's contract with the Chicago Blackhawks are generating a lot of buzz, but history shows that some players have already accounted for an even larger share of their team's payroll.

With an average annual salary of $18 million, Leo Carlsson currently accounts for 17.31% of the Anaheim Ducks' payroll. That's a huge figure, but it's not the all-time record.

The player who took up the largest share of his team's payroll is Brad Richards. In 2006, while with the Tampa Bay Lightning, the center signed a five-year contract worth a total of $39 million.

At the time, his annual salary of $7.8 million theoretically accounted for 20% of the Lightning's payroll.

This deal came after an exceptional stretch for Richards.

The Quebec native had won the Stanley Cup with Tampa Bay in 2004 and had just posted a 91-point season. His contract at the time underscored his importance to the organization.

Right behind him is Jarome Iginla, who played a huge role with the Calgary Flames.

In 2002, his $6.75 million salary represented approximately 17.94% of the team's payroll, according to calculations adjusted for the salary cap at the time.

This compensation was far from excessive, as Iginla had just had an exceptional season with 52 goals and 96 points, winning the Maurice Richard Trophy.

Today, the new contracts signed by Carlsson and Bedard are once again changing the way we view the value of young superstars.

Connor Bedard, with his $15 million annual salary, accounts for about 14.43% of the Blackhawks' payroll, placing him among the highest percentages in modern history.

The NHL thus continues to see stars claim an ever-larger slice of the salary pie.


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