4. Eric Staal

Forbes.com: The NHL's Highest-Paid Players

Total income: $8.5 million
Average salary: $8.25 million
Endorsements: $250,000

Staal inked a seven year, $57.75 million contract with the Hurricanes before the 2008-09 season. He has an equipment endorsement deal with Bauer that covers Staal and his brothers Marc (Rangers) and Jordan (Hurricanes). (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

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2012 NHL Team Values
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10. Zach Parise Total income: $7.74 million
Average salary: $7.54 million
Endorsements: $200,000

Parise joined the Minnesota Wild this summer when he inked a 13 year, $98 million contract after seven years with the New Jersey Devils. Parise is one of the NHL's biggest American stars and will be highly sought after by sponsors in Minneapolis where he was born. (Getty Images)

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The NHL’s Best (And Worst) Fans

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9. Jarome Iginla Total income: $7.8 million
Average salary: $7 million
Endorsements: $750,000

Iginla is the Flames' all-time leader in goals, points, and games played. He has played his entire career with the Flames, but the 35-year-old Iginla is in the final year of his five year, $35 million contract with the team. (Getty Images)

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2012 NHL Team Values
The NHL’s Best and Worst Teams for the Buck
The NHL’s Best (And Worst) Fans

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8. Vincent Lecav... Total income: $7.9 million
Average salary: $7.7 million
Endorsements: $150,000

The Lightning captain is the longest tenured player in Tampa Bay after being selected first overall by the team in the 1998 draft. Lecavalier's foundation donated $3 million towards the construction of the Vincent Lecavalier Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at the new All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg. (Getty Images)

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2012 NHL Team Values
The NHL’s Best and Worst Teams for the Buck
The NHL’s Best (And Worst) Fans

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6-T. Shea Weber Total income: $8 million
Average salary: $7.9 million
Endorsements: $100,000

Weber broke the bank this summer when the Philadelphia Flyers offered the star defenseman a 14 year, $110 million contract. The Predators matched the offer sheet for the three-time All-Star that likely keep Weber, 27, in Nashville for the rest of his career. (John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)

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2012 NHL Team Values
The NHL’s Best and Worst Teams for the Buck
The NHL’s Best (And Worst) Fans

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6-T. Rick Nash Total income: $8 million
Average salary: $7.8 million
Endorsements: $150,000

The Blue Jackets traded the five-time All-Star to the Rangers in July in a blockbuster deal. Nash's off-ice profile will be raised with the move to New York. Under Armour has been a long-term endorsement partner of Nash. (AP)

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2012 NHL Team Values
The NHL’s Best and Worst Teams for the Buck
The NHL’s Best (And Worst) Fans

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5. Steven Stamko... Total income: $8.3 million
Average salary: $7.5 million
Endorsements: $800,000

Stamkos is a prolific goal scorer with 179 goals during his first four years in the NHL, including 60 last season. He is also one of the top endorsers and has deals with Nike, Bauer and Tissot watches. He was on the cover of EA Sports NHL 12 video game. (AP)

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2012 NHL Team Values
The NHL’s Best and Worst Teams for the Buck
The NHL’s Best (And Worst) Fans

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4. Eric Staal Total income: $8.5 million
Average salary: $8.25 million
Endorsements: $250,000

Staal inked a seven year, $57.75 million contract with the Hurricanes before the 2008-09 season. He has an equipment endorsement deal with Bauer that covers Staal and his brothers Marc (Rangers) and Jordan (Hurricanes). (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

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2012 NHL Team Values
The NHL’s Best and Worst Teams for the Buck
The NHL’s Best (And Worst) Fans

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3. Evgeni Malkin Total income: $9.1 million
Average salary: $8.7 million
Endorsements: $400,000

Malkin won the Art Ross and Hart trophies (above) following the 2011-12 season after leading the NHL in points for the second time in four years. He has two years left on his five year, $43.5 million contract with the Penguins. (Getty Images)

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2012 NHL Team Values
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2. Alexander Ove... Total income: $12 million
Average salary: $9.5 million
Endorsements: $2.5 million

Ovechkin has the biggest playing contract in the sport worth $124 million over 13 years. Ovi counts Nike, Gatorade and Bauer as global partners and will be a highly sought after endorser, as the Winter Olympics return to his native Russia in 2014. (Bongarts/Getty Images)

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2012 NHL Team Values
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The NHL’s Best (And Worst) Fans

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1. Sidney Crosby Total income: $12.7 million
Average salary: $8.7 million
Endorsements: $4 million

Concussion symptoms have hampered Crosby the past two seasons, but "Sid the Kid" remains the NHL's most marketable player with rich endorsement deals with Reebok, Tim Hortons, Bell Canada and Gatorade. (AP)

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2012 NHL Team Values
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The NHL’s Best (And Worst) Fans

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