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THE HPT 10: Best NHL contracts Print
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Written by J.P. Hoornstra   
Friday, August 06, 2010 00:00
No general manager is perfect, but some have had strokes of genius when signing players to what seem like bargain contracts in hindsight.

Some of the same GMs are responsible for the worst contracts in the game today, but here’s a look at the 10 best (all details according to capgeek.com). Also, for purposes of comparison, entry-level contracts were ineligible for this list. A player like Steven Stamkos, for example, can only overachieve when the system prevents him from making money comparable to the best players in the league.

10. Alex Burrows, Vancouver (four years, $8 million in 2009)

Playing with the Sedin Twins sure helps, but only one 35-goal scorer (Bobby Ryan, in the last year of his entry-level contract) made less last season than Burrows. His goal totals have increased each of the last four seasons. 

9. David Backes, St. Louis (three years, $7.5 million in 2008)

The 26-year-old right wing offers a unique package of physicality and offense. While making $2.5 million in 2008-09, he posted 31 goals and 165 penalty minutes for the Blues. His scoring totals fell last year, but he’s still a beast to play against and a relative bargain. 

8. Rich Peverley, Atlanta (two years, $2.65 million in 2010)

While playing for the league minimum in 2008-09, Peverley was nearly a point-per-game player after the Thrashers claimed him off waivers at midseason. Coming off a 22-goal season in 2009-10, Peverley — who also wins faceoffs and kills penalties – either took a hometown discount to stay in Atlanta, or wasn’t very confident in his open-market value. 

7. Keith Yandle, Phoenix (two years, $2.4 million in 2009)

At 23, Yandle emerged as the best defenseman on a 107-point Coyotes club last season, when he made $1.1 million. He might improve on his 12-goal output this year, when he makes $1.3 million. 

6. Jussi Jokinen, Carolina (two years, $3.4 million in 2009)

Someone needs to tell Jokinen he’s supposed to save his best performance for the last year of a contract. In the first year of his current deal, the Finn scored a team-leading 30 goals and 65 points for the ‘Canes, both career highs. That averages out to $50,000 per goal; hold on to that number when we list the game’s worst contracts tomorrow. 

4 and 5 (tie). Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry, Anaheim (five years, $26.625 million in 2008)

The best friends and Olympic gold-winning linemates signed nearly identical contracts (Getzlaf’s was backloaded and Perry’s was frontloaded) to stay in Anaheim. When healthy, they’re one of the most dangerous center-wing duos in the game, and are just approaching their primes at age 25.

2 and 3 (tie). Ryan Suter (four years, $14 million in 2008) and Shea Weber, Nashville (three years, $13.5 million in 2008)

For a total of $8 million, the Predators get one of the best 1-2 defense combos in the league. Not too shabby. Suter and Weber will hit paydirt in successive off-seasons. 

1. Zach Parise, New Jersey (four years, $12.5 million in 2007-08).

While making a total of $7.5 million over the last three seasons, Parise has scored 108 goals. Think about that for a second. If Ilya Kovalchuk makes him an even better player, the Devils will be extremely hard-pressed to keep both snipers past next season.
 
Honorable mention: Craig Anderson, Colorado (two years, $3.625 million in 2009); Dustin Brown, Los Angeles (six years, $19.05 million in 2008); Hal Gill, Montreal (two years, $4.5 million in 2009); Mikael Samuelsson, Vancouver (three years, $7.5 million in 2009); Matt Carle, Philadelphia (four years, $13.75 million in 2008).

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Last Updated on Friday, August 06, 2010 09:46