Anaheim:
Kesler is widely considered their worst contract but I don't agree.
It's close but Perry costs almost 2m more per year (yes, for one year less but I'm still going with Kesler.)
Disregarding this year since Kesler only played half the season their production are similar but Kesler does a better job in the defense.
(Added on: Reports have gone out that Kesler might miss the entire 18/19 season. This would make him inadmissable on this list.)
Arizona:
This is a difficult team 'cause they don't have a lot of players on contracts atm.
But among them they have Alex Goligoski. 32 years old and signed through 20/21 when he's 35 yo. He makes 5,475 and his -32 was second to last among all defenders in the league this past season.
They can afford his contract but they can't trade is cause it sucks.
Boston:
Also not an easy team to pick a worst contract from. Some half bad contracts but they traded Beleskey, his contract could be argued as their worst since they almost pay him 2m to not play for them.
But I chose Backes. His age and style of play tells us that the 57 games he played this year might be the most games he can play in a year. Over half a point per game but at 6m per year... that's bad.
Buffalo:
Sabres have some expensive contracts but not that awful contract that makes you sad. Their bad contracts are only for 1-2 years and provides something.
I was leaning towards Bogosian, he's a guy that gets paid for the player he was expected to become and not the player he is. BUT considering they didn't sign his contract I'm giving this spot to Moulson.
Almost 4m towards the cap to play in the AHL. He's a great AHL player! But not a player for the National Hockey League.
Calgary:
It's easy to say that Brouwer is their worst contract and for the 18/19 season it might be. For the 19/20 season it might be.
But when he leaves in 2020 and his 4,5m comes off the books for the Flames they sit there with an aging Mark Giordano who'll turn 37 that season and is signed through 2022 at 6,75m.
For the term I'm taking him for the spot of "Worst contract".
Carolina:
The Hurricanes are a team that might get their "worst contract" in the FA market this year. With the current players under contract it stands between Darling, Staal and Rask.
Darling hasn't played as hoped for so considering what you get for the money he's the worst contract they have. 4,1m for a tender with .88 is below acceptable.
Chicago:
Here's a team filled with bad contracts! I don't like the 10,5 for Toews, I don't like the 5,5 for Keith (yes it's a special contract that's filled its purpuse) and the Murphy contract is bad as well.
But the Seabrook deal is dreadful and not just the worst contract in this team but might be the worst in the league. 6,875 through 2024... damn...
Colorado:
Again a team whose bad contracts have expired or will expire soon, so they will sign some bad contracts this summer. It's either Wilson or Söderberg. Söderberg is more expensive, older and has one more year of term.
But Wilson didn't produce anything this year. 18 points in 56 games at almost 4m per year. Even though it's only for one more year it's their worst contract.
Columbus:
I know he's a great player and I really like him, but my first thought was Cam Atkinson. Almost 6m per year for a smallish fast skilled guy turning 29 before the start of the season.
His 7y contract makes it so he is 35 during his last season and I doubt he can keep up his speed at that age. But that's speculations, he might continue being a productive player in his mid 30s.
But his contract isn't their worst, Dubinskys' is! 5,85 for 16 points on the season and signed for three more years! He's an agitator but not effective enough.
Dallas:
It's not easy to pick a player in Dallas since term is something I place high on my reasons for why a contract is bad. With the same argument as with the Atkinson contract the Benn deal could hurt alot down the line.
But that's still speculations! But 9,5m for his last year when he's 35 won't sit all that great. Today their worst contract is Spezza at 7,5m for one more year.
Although I believe that if they fall in the stands before deadline they can eat 50% of his salary and trade him for a team needing a third line center for the playoffs.
Detroit:
My first choice for Detroit was Abdelkader, his contract is really bad. But looking deeper through their amount of worthless contracts I believe that one is even worse.
No not Kronwall and not Ericsson, their remaining term is too short to be the teams worst contract. Not Helm as a third line center earning 3,85m.
It's Nielsen! Why they signed him at 5,25 for 6 years in 2016 is anyones guess.. it's awful and will only get worse each year.
Edmonton:
Lucic, no need to argue.
I can make a case for why Draisaitl isn't worth his 8,5 at this moment but he might become worth it, should just have been a 6,5-7m between his ELC and his 8,5.
Florida:
Also a team with a decent amout of high value contract up front and semi-bad but still acceptable contract on D.
Michael Matheson might be a 5m x 8y player at some time but he's still kind of new on the market and havn't produced up to par.
Neither Ekblad or Yandle isn't really worth their contracts but Matheson is the biggest questionmark.
Los Angeles:
If I'd made this list a year ago I'd say Dustin Brown hands down! But he had a fantastic year.
I also had Quick as a strong candidate since his style of play is catching up with his age, but he also had a good year at 64 games, GAA 2.4 and .921%.
Quick have 5 years left at 5.8 and Phaneuf have 3 years at 5.25. Phaneuf was my choice until I took a second look.
Long term Quicks style will hurt him and therefor the team.
Minnesota:
Well Koivu comes to mind. 5.5 for two years for a 35yo.
BUT if you think it's the worst then you aren't aware of the twins.. the two identical 13y 98m contracts.
You can make arguments for both of them. Parise is the worst player of the two but his injuries might soon keep him on the LTIR.
This is an argument for taking Suter as he's healthy and his contract will hurt the team more long term.
But that's guesswork, Parise is healthy atm so his contract counts and I'm taking him.
Montreal:
Habs wasn't easy. Several semi-bad contracts and some that might become completely awful.
Great arguments can be made long term for both Weber and Price (yes, Price).
But I rank contracts signed by the team higher then contracts traded for. So Alzner..
He's a great nr 4 D at 3m. His 4.625 is higher then he's worth.
Nashville:
This isn't fun atm.. Nashville only have great contracts so picking someone is like picking the most stupid member of MENSA.
I took Subban for the ONLY reason that he's the most expensive player. I'm sure both Josi and Ellis will get enormus raises but that's speculations again.
New Jersey:
Devils have a captain that's 35yo, makes 5m for two more years and is more of a 2-3m D then a 5m.
New York Islanders:
Who to pick? So many bad contracts.. Boychuck, Cizikas and Clutterbuck would all make it in as the teams worst on most teams but not here.
Andrew Ladd makes 5,5m for 5 more years and has in two years produced 60 points while making 15,5m dollars.. and he has one of those contracts that can't be bought out cause his salary is only 1m per year. The rest is signing bonus.
New York Rangers:
Ofcourse you have to consider the Kings 8,5m but he's not even close. He's still a great goaltender and will be their nr.1 all three years he has left.
Sure Smiths contract is a GREAT contender for their worst since it's even buried in the AHL. But he can still recover, find his play under a new coach and start being worth a part of that money.
Staal however makes 5,7m for three more years and is at his best a player who should be making 3m TOP! Their WORST contract.
Ottawa Senators:
Bobby Ryan.
Some bad in Gaborik and Smith but Ryan is Ryan..
Philadelphia Flyers:
Dale Weise and MacDonald.. Weise or MacDonald.. Andrew had the better 17/18 so Weise gets this spot.
Pittsburgh Penguins:
Mostly good contracts. The defense catches my eye and I can't really decide between Dumoulin and Hunwick. Määttä could be in the discussion for his injuries but he's a good d on a good dollar.
Dumolin got 4,1m for 6 years after being a part of a dual-cup winning team. He's more of a 2,5-3m D but got paid anyway..
San Jose Sharks:
Giving a 32yo an 8x8 contract.. Burns.. it does.. it Burns them..
St. Louis Blues:
Steen is 34 years old and still have three years left on his NEW 4 YEAR DEAL! They extended a player who was 33 at the start of his new deal with 4 more years!
At a cost of 5,750 per year!! DANG!!
Tampa Bay Lightning:
Looking at this bunch of great contracts.. only Callahan sticks out! That's bad but he can be bought out at a reasonable 1,566 per year.
Toronto Maple Leafs:
Considering that Marleaus contract is built to be bought out before it's last year I'm excluding it.
Hainsey only have one more year on his so.. Nikita Zaitsev.
Zaitsev had a great first season in Toronto but not as good this year. He can still recover and be worth his 4,5m during his six future years in Toronto.
Vancouver Canucks:
Loui Erikssons 6m for four more years is without a doubt their worst.
Vegas Golden Knights:
They don't really have a bad contract since they havn't signed any bad yet.. Tatar is a contender but no.
I'm going with Eakin for the only reason that he's a third line checking-center making 3,85m.
Washington Capitals:
This feels wierd after they just won the cup but somebody has to get the titel "worst contract".
AAV on Oshies deal is good! But term suck.. so.. Oshie..
Winnipeg Jets:
Big Buff makes 7,6m for three more years. He's 33 now and plays a rough style of play, his last or two last years might bite them in the...
I want to add that Wheelers new deal might become their new worst.
McDavid, Connor
$250,000)
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