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