Breaking: New contract makes NHL coach the third highest paid in the league.

A huge new contract will make a National Hockey League head coach the third highest paid man at his position.

ESPN insider Pierre LeBrun has reported on Friday that only Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock and Chicago Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville will earn more than New York Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault after Vigneault and the Rangers agreed to a new deal this week.

According to LeBrun Vigneault will now earn on average "just north of $4 million per year" on a contract with a three year term, however there is an added benefit here for Vigneault as well. As part of the terms of his new deal, the final year of his current contract has been scrapped at Vigneault's hefty new $4 million salary will kick immediately starting next season.

It's big money for a coach, but there is little doubt that Vigneault is one of the most respected and most successful head coaches in the NHL.

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