The highest-paid player on every NHL team

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The NHL is in a bit of a transition when it comes to how much money their top players are making. 

Prior to the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), teams took advantage of a loophole that circumvented the salary cap and led to some skewed salaries.

The new CBA put a limit on that loophole, but we still have a number of players who have contracts that pay a lot more money up front, meaning the players who make the most are typically the players who are still in the first years of their deals.

Here are the highest-paid players on every team, with data provided by Spotrac.

#1 Shea Weber, Nashville Predators — $14 million

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Position: Defenseman

2015-16 earnings breakdown: $1 million salary, $13 million signing bonus

One thing to know: Weber was one of the last NHL players to exploit a loophole in the old collective bargaining agreement, signing a $110 million contract. The catch is that the deal is 14 years long and heavily front-loaded, not expiring until he is 40 years. The benefit to the team was to spread the salary cap hit out over many years. This practice was nixed in the newest CBA, with contracts now limited to eight years.

#2 Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks — $13.8 million

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Position: Center

2015-16 earnings breakdown: $6.8 million salary, $7.0 million signing bonus

One thing to know: Toews and teammate Patrick Kane signed identical 8-year, $84 million contracts prior to the 2014-15 season. Their $10.5 million cap hits are the largest in the NHL.

#3 Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins — $12 million

Tom Pennington/Getty Images

Position: Center

2015-16 earnings breakdown: $12 million salary

One thing to know: Like Shea Weber, Crosby signed his extension just before the new CBA, and his deal is also heavily front-loaded. This is the final of three seasons with $12 million salaries. Starting next season, Crosby's salary starts to shrink, eventually reaching just $3 million in 2022-23, when he will be 35.

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