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Sidney Crosby: $12 million
There’s not much debate that the Pittsburgh Penguins captain is the best player in the NHL—when he’s healthy. But despite his hefty paycheque, he’s no longer the league’s best-compensated one. Nashville defenceman Shea Weber will make $14 million in salary, and take home a $13-million signing bonus this coming season. And Vincent Lecavalier, who was recently bought out of his 11-year, $85-million contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning, will take home a total of $17.7 million, thanks to his new deal with Philadelphia, buyout money, and bonuses due from the two teams. Of course, Crosby, a Stanley Cup winner and the gold-medal hero at the Vancouver 2010 Games, has the most endorsement potential in hockey. His seven-year deal with equipment maker Reebok earns him about $1.4 million per season. And his agreements with Gatorade, Tim Hortons and Dempster’s bread are said to be in a similar ballpark. But the 26-year-old leaves plenty of money on the table. Not long ago he turned down a chance to be the face of a major car company. The deal called for him to do about four hours of work before the cameras in exchange for a seven-figure payday. And he didn’t even have to drive the car. (Photo by Travis Golby/NHLI via Getty Images)
Read more from the Maclean’s Who Earns What issue here.