Hockey might be a game that most of us Americans don’t really think about playing when we’re young, but it might be time to start considering it as something kids should start getting into more often. Sure, it might lack the high-scoring that other sports provide, but seeing how great the top-earning defensemen in NHL history have made, preventing goals from going in might just be the way to go. Here are the richest players on the back-line that the league has ever seen.
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15. Brian Campbell – $54.45 million
For a guy who was drafted with the 156th overall pick in the 1997 draft, current Florida Panthers defensemen Brian Campbell has certainly made quite the impression on the league. Although he hasn’t won many individual awards in the league, he has earned a Stanley Cup title, helping the Chicago Blackhawks win in 2010. For his efforts, he has made nearly $55.5 million during his career.
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14. Andrei Markov – $55.32 million
Much like the aforementioned Brian Campbel, Andrei Markov of the Montreal Canadiens wasn’t really high on many teams’ list coming into the year he was drafted back in 1998. Thankfully, for Markov, he proved those teams wrong, turning into a solid defensemen who has earned a few All-Star nods. With that type of individual success has come big money, as he has earned over $55.3 million in his career.
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13. Kimmo Timonen – $56.35 million
A fantastic distributer of the puck thanks to his high assist totals over the years, current Philadelphia Flyers defensemen Kimmo Timonen has shown to be quite the player since coming into the league all the way back in 1993. Not only has Timonen been named an All-Star five times in his career, but he has also won the Flyers’ best defenseman award five times, too, making him well-worth the money he gets paid in the team’s eyes.
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12. Dan Boyle – $58.63 million
Another player who knows how to set-up his teammates thanks to his assists, Dan Boyle of the New York Rangers is a player who may have been undrafted, but has proven his worth ever since. Playing 16 seasons in the league, Boyle has won a Stanley Cup and made a couple All-Star teams, which helped him get paid handsomely, earning $58.63 million over that time.
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11. Scott Niedermayer – $60.30 million
Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame back in 2013, former defensemen Scott Niedermayer was one of the most-feared back-line players in NHL history, imposing his will on players who went up against him. A great distributor of the puck, Niedermayer routinely led defenders in the league in assists during his 18-year NHL career. He won two Olympic gold medals and four Stanley Cup titles, proving how effective his teams were, too, and his leadership netted him over $60 million in his career.
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10. Roman Hamrlik – $60.63 million
After being selected first overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 1992 NHL draft, Roman Hamrlik had high expectations to live up to. Thankfully, he didn’t disappoint and completely flop. While Hamrlik was no superstar, he did rack up three All-Star appearances and played in over 1,000 games during a long career. And thanks to his contributions, his teams paid him over $60.6 million while he played.
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9. Brian Leetch – $61.90 million
One of the best American-born players to ever play in the NHL, former defensemen and Hockey Hall of Famer Brian Leetch proved to be a strong leader during his 18 years in the league. Holding numerous league and team records, Leetch is best-known for helping the New York Rangers win a Stanley Cup in 1994, while also being one of the faces of that franchise for a long time.
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8. Shea Weber – $64.83 million
Still in the prime of his career, current Nashville Predators captain Shea Weber has set himself to earn a lot of money throughout his remaining days. To date, the three-time All-Star selection has earned nearly $65 million in his nine seasons, helping his team earn numerous playoff appearances and serving as the mainstay of the Predators since he first broke into the league in 2003.
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7. Ed Jovanovski – $69.52 million
Selected No. 1 overall in the 1994 NHL draft, Ed Jovanovski has made the All-Star team five times throughout his career, while also being one of the better two-way defensemen in the league. Currently a a free agent, the 38-year-old Jovanovski’s career might appear to be over, but he’s sitting pretty after making over $69.5 million in his playing days.
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6. Sergei Gonchar – $70.45 million
Enjoying his 19th season in 2014, Sergei Gonchar has seemingly seen it all since breaking into the league all the way back in 1992 with the Washington Capitals. Bouncing between various leagues early in his career, Gonchar proved that the NHL is where he belonged, earning five All-Star nods and being part of the Pittsburgh Penguins Stanley Cup title team in 2009. For his efforts and great play during that time, he has earned over $70.4 million.
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5. Wade Redden – $71.61 million
Retiring after the 2012-13 season, former defensemen Wade Redden enjoyed a successful career that saw him accomplish a lot. A two-time All-Star selection and a part of great international teams for his native Canada, Redden played during a time where players like him started earning big paychecks, which probably explains why he made over $71.6 million during his 14 seasons.
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4. Zdeno Chara – $77.48 million
Standing at an insane 6’9″, Boston Bruins defensemen Zdeno Chara might just be the most intimidating player to ever grace the ice. Known for his intensity and leadership, Chara has been a Norris Trophy finalist six times in his career, which awards the league’s top defenseman—winning it in 2008-09. Chara has also won a Stanley Cup and played in six All-Star Games, proving how great he has been, and helping him earn $77.48 million.
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3. Rob Blake – $84.82 million
Like the aforementioned Peter Forsberg, former defensemen Rob Blake was just inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2014, proving that he was one of the best players during his era. A six-time All-Star and one-time Cup champion, Blake played aggressively on defense and was one of the best ever at setting up his teammates, compiling 537 assists during his career. For all of his successes, Blake earned $84.82 million.
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2. Niklas Lidstrom – $100.64 million
A finalist for next year’s Hall of Fame class, Nicklas Lidstrom should find himself amongst the others who are considered to be the best to ever play the game—and with good reason. Captaining the Detroit Red Wings for six seasons, Lidstrom is actually referred to as Mr. Perfect or The Perfect Human because of his leadership abilities. In 20 seasons, he won four Stanley Cups, seven top denfesemen awards and a Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. With those types of numbers, it’s not surprising to see he made over $100 million during his career.
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1. Chris Pronger – $112.80 million
Although he hasn’t played in the past three seasons due to unfortunate concussions, Chris Pronger has been one of the most feared defensemen of the past 20 years, bringing both intimidation and skill to his position. A Stanley Cup champion and Olympic gold medal winner, Pronger has also added a league MVP to his mantle, a rare feat for a defender to accomplish. It’s clear that he has all the skills to be considered an all-time great, which is why he has cashed-in nicely, to the tune of over $112 million.
Photo via Flickr/Bob Fina
