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    Adam Proteau
    Adam Proteau
    Jan 30, 2025, 22:50

    The Hockey News has always been on the cutting edge when it comes to breaking down NHL business. And in this 1997 story, we revealed and ranked every NHL coach's salary.

    The Hockey News has always been on the cutting edge when it comes to breaking down NHL business. And in this 1997 story, we revealed and ranked every NHL coach's salary.

    In 1997, THN Unveiled An Exclusive Ranking And Breakdown Of Each NHL Coach's Salary

    Over the years, THN has been the leader when it comes to salary disclosure for NHL players. But in 1997, in THN's special "Bench Bucks" issue -- cover date Jan. 31, 1997 -- we broke down the salaries of NHL coaches. Led by New Jersey Devills coach Jacques Lemaire, here is the rundown of each bench boss' salary: 

    1996-97 COACHES’ SALARIES

    By THN Staff

    Salary U.S. dollars: age Jan. 31: seasons NHL head coach: career winning percentage Jan. 13.

    U.S. equivalent of Canadian-dollar contract

    (Canadian-dollar value)

    1. JACQUES LEMAIRE: $750,000

    New Jersey Devils

    Age: 51

    NHL: 6th season

    Winning Pct: .565

    2. MARC CRAWFORD: $700,000

    Colorado Avalanche

    Age: 35

    NHL: 3rd season

    Winning Pct: .649

    3. MIKE MILBURY: $700,000

    New York Islanders

    Age: 44

    NHL 4th season

    Winning Pct: .472

    4. SCOTTY BOWMAN: $650,000

    Detroit Red Wings

    Age: 63

    NHL: 25th season

    Winning Pct: .661

    5. LARRY ROBINSON:$550,000

    Los Angeles Kings

    Age: 45

    NHL: 2nd season

    Winning Pct: .408

    6. TERRY CRISP: $500,000

    Tampa Bay Lightning

    Age: 53

    NHL 8th season

    Winning Pct: .524

    7. COLIN CAMPBELL :$475,000

    New York Rangers

    Age: 43

    NHL: 3rd season

    Winning Pct: .551

    8. DOUG MACLEAN: $425,000

    Florida Panthers

    Age: 42

    NHL 2nd season

    Winning Pct: .585

    9. JAN SCHOENFELD: $400,000

    Washington Capitals

    Age: 44

    NHL 8th season

    Winning Pct: .509

    10. JOEL QUENNEVILLE: $375,000

    St. Louis Blues

    Age: 38

    NHL: 1st season

    Winning Pct: .333 (1-2-0)

    11. ED JOHNSTON: $375,000

    Pittsburgh Penguins

    Age: 61

    NHL: 8th season

    Winning Pct: .516

    12. RON WILSON: $350,000

    Anaheim Mighty Ducks

    Age: 41

    NHL 4th season

    Winning Pct:.438

    13. TERRY MURRAY: $335,000

    Philadelphia Flyers

    Age: 46

    NHL: 8th season

    Winning Pct: .564

    14. TED NOLAN: $300,000

    Buffalo Sabres

    Age: 38

    NHL: 2nd season

    Winninq Pct .484

    15. CRAIG HARTSBURG: $300,000

    Chicago Blackhawks

    Age: 37

    NHL: 2nd season

    Winning Pct: .531

    16. DON HAY: $300,000

    Phoenix Coyotes

    Age: 42

    NHL: 1st season

    Winninq Pct: .477

    17. MIKE MURPHY: $278,000* ($375,000 Canadian)

    Toronto Maple Leafs

    Age: 46

    NHL: 3rd season

    Winninq Pct: .380

    18. KEN HITCHCOCK: $275,000

    Dallas Stars

    Age: 45

    NHL: 2nd season

    Winninq Pct: .593

    19. STEVE KASPER: $260,000

    Boston Bruins

    Age: 35

    NHL 2nd season

    Winninq Pct: .520

    20. PIERRE PAGE: $260,000* ($350,000 Canadian)

    Calgary Flames

    Age: 48

    NHL 7th season

    Winning Pct: .472

    21. RON LOW: $260,000* ($350,000 Canadian)

    Edmonton Oilers

    Age: 46

    NHL: 3rd season

    Winning Pct: .439

    22. MARIO TREMBLAY: $260,000* ($350,000 Canadian)

    Montreal Canadiens

    Age: 40

    NHL: 2nd season

    Winning Pct: .545

    23. PAUL MAURICE: $250,000

    Hartford Whalers

    Age: 30

    NHL 2nd season

    Winninq Pct: .473

    24. AL SIMS: $250,000

    San Jose Sharks

    Age: 43

    NHL: 1st season

    Winning Pct: .417

    25. JACQUES MARTIN: $241,000* ($325,000 Canadian)

    Ottawa Senators

    Age: 44

    NHL: 4th season

    Winning Pct: .441

    26. TOM RENNEY: $223,000* ($300,000 Canadian)

    Vancouver Canucks

    Age: 41

    NHL: 1st season

    Winninq Pct: .488