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THE HPT 10: Worst NHL contracts Print
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Written by J.P. Hoornstra   
Saturday, August 07, 2010 00:00
It’s saying something when one team owns the top two spots on such an undesirable list, but it also helps explain why the New York Islanders get to draft so high every year.

Without further ado, the 10 worst current contracts in the NHL (all details according to capgeek.com): 

10. Matthias Ohlund, Tampa Bay (seven years, $25.25 million in 2009)

A “retirement contract” if there ever were one, Ohlund’s deal got off to an inauspicious start last season. For the first time in his 12-year career, the defenseman didn’t score a single goal. Raise your hand if you could do that for $4 million!

9. Brian Campbell, Chicago (eight years, $57.143 million in 2008)

Campbell is great with the puck, but he’s also only the third-best defenseman on his own team, which is why he makes this list. When the ‘Hawks needed to unload salary after their Cup-winning season, Campbell’s jumbo contract was immovable. 

8. Chris Drury, New York Rangers (five years, $35.25 million in 2007)

Drury is a well-rounded forward, but not nearly worth the $7 million he will make this year or next. He’s never come close to the 37-goal campaign he posted in Buffalo in 2006-07. 

7. Cristobal Huet, Chicago (four years, $22.5 million in 2008)

It’s amazing to think that Huet has never played more than 48 goals in a season. He set that career benchmark last season for the ‘Hawks but still lost his starting job to Antti Niemi, who backstopped the Stanley Cup run. Another contract that won't budge in the wind of the Windy City. 

6. Shawn Horcoff, Edmonton (six years, $33 million in 2009)

To be fair, Horcoff played on an unexpectedly horrible team in the first year of this contract. The 31-year-old could pull a Dustin Penner-like turnaround before the ink is fully dry. But since when does $7 million only buy a 13-goal season, like Horcoff’s 2009-10 campaign? 

5. Scott Gomez, Montreal (seven years, $51.5 million in 2007)

Gomez was coming off a 33-goal season with the Devils in 2006-07, which in hindsight looks like the most motivated contract-year performance in league history. Ever since, he’s solidified his reputation as an average, undersized playmaker. Gomez made exactly $750,000 per goal scored in 2009-10 — fine if you’re an enforcer or a defenseman, but not when you’re a top-six forward. 

4. Jay Bouwmeester, Calgary (five years, $33.4 million in 2009)

Bouwmeester was the principal underachiever on an underachieving Flames squad last season. He’s still got four seasons to recover from his 3-goal, 29-point debacle before the contract expires, but he’ll have to do it in Calgary – unless he waives his full no-trade clause. D’oh!

3. Wade Redden, New York Rangers (six years, $39 million in 2008)

There’s been enough head-scratching over this contract on Broadway to leave many a Rangers loyalist bald. An average defender and below-average scorer, Redden’s contract was once called “the worst in the history of the NHL, if not in the history of hard-cap pro sports” in the New York Post. We’re all guilty of having short memories at times …

2. Alexei Yashin, New York Islanders (10 years, $71.6 million in 2001)

There was some debate as to whether this contract should be included on this list, but the deciding factor was that Yashin is still on the Islanders’ payroll and still playing. Just not for the Islanders, who bought out the contract when Yashin left for Russia before the 2007-08 season. Even while on Long Island, the former sniper never earned his massive salary.

1. Rick DiPietro, New York Islanders (15 years, $67.5 million in 2006)

The failed “retirement contract” by which all others will be judged, this contract gets bonus points for setting the precedent for future rule-twisting, "cap-friendly" deals. DiPietro was just coming off his first full NHL season when he signed this albatross — certainly not long enough for the Isles to predict the injury woes that would befall the goalie two years later.
 
(Dis)honorable mention: Jason Blake, Anaheim (five years, $20 million in 2007); Martin Havlat, Minnesota (six years, $30 million in 2009); Pascal Leclaire, Ottawa (three years, $11.4 million in 2008); Bryan McCabe, Florida (five years, $28.75 million in 2006).

Comments (1)

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Really? Jay is 4th?
This list is brutal! First of all - the worst contract is definately Redden - the guy is getting Bouwmeester money in the minors; and would probably retire there if he doesnt waive his own contract. Yashin - massive failure; DiPietro, yeah not that wise... but he still has a chance to pull it around. Gomez is a horrid contract; he's on pace for less than 20 goals FGS! At least Jay plays 30+ minutes a night, is the reigning Iron Man, and just turned 27! Not the best contract - but at least he's not the 3rd worst like Campbell - who's getting paid even more. Or Drury! gaah! 10 million per year and he's got a better contract? Pfft..
Puck Daddy , November 12, 2010

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Last Updated on Saturday, August 07, 2010 01:09