8. Eric Staal – $9.75 million earnings
One of four hockey-playing brothers, Staal is the eldest and has been playing professionally since 2003.
Starting with the Peterborough Petes and moving to the Carolina Hurricanes in 2003, Staal scored the most hat-tricks in a single season in 2008-09, and has a great track record for consistency, having only missed 2% of his career games.
In February 2016, Staal moved to the New York Rangers, and earns $9.75 million a year.
