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.
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