10 Biggest NHL Contract Disappointments

By Darrell Samuels

10 Biggest NHL Contract Disappointments

Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks — NHL contracts have been signed that are questionable moves for the teams' future. The following ten players were seen, at the time of signing, as worthy of the value of their new contracts. Some of these players have made it close to the finals but haven't won. Some contracts have limited the teams' ability to make trades due to the salary cap restrictions. Others have adversely affected the future of the team in their cities.

10. Sean Avery (signed a 4 year, $15 million deal with the Dallas Stars)

Sean Avery, Dallas Stars — Sean Avery was known more for his pugilistic abilities than scoring touch. He scored 10 points in 23 games before being traded to the New York Rangers. Money was not well spent. Sean Avery was constantly in the news for the wrong reasons. He was the NHL’s 'troubled child'.

9. Brian Gionta (signed a 5 year, $25 million deal with the Montreal Canadiens)

Brian Gionta, Montreal Canadiens — The Montreal Canadiens have always had a history of having successful point producing captains. Well, during Gionta’s time in Montreal, his highest point total over the course of a season was 46. In his final two years there, he collected 66 points total. Last summer, he signed as a free agent with the Buffalo Sabres.

8. Mike Smith (signed a 6 year, $34 million deal with the Phoenix/Arizona Coyotes)

Mike Smith, Arizona Coyotes — There’s not a lot of joy for the team in the desert. The constant off the ice situation involving the city of Glendale and the Coyotes franchise is troubling. Having Smith's big contract on the payroll complicates the direction as well as the future of the Arizona Coyotes.

7. Sheldon Souray (signed a 5 year, $27 million deal with the Edmonton Oilers)

Sheldon Souray, Edmonton Oilers — Sheldon Souray had a great career with stops in New Jersey and Montreal. He went across Canada, from Montreal, to play in Edmonton. He played 144 games over 3 seasons, collecting 76 points combined. In his final year in Edmonton, he had a minus 19 rating. He finished his career in Dallas and Anaheim.

6. Roberto Luongo (signed a 12 year, $64 million deal with the Vancouver Canucks)

Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks — Yes, Roberto Luongo led Team Canada to a gold medal and the Vancouver Canucks to within one victory of their first Stanley Cup in 2011. That’s true. However, it could be suggested that the Canucks are still trying to get out from the mess Luongo’s contract created.

5. Ilya Bryzgalov (signed a 9 year, $51 million deal with the Philadelphia Flyers)

Ilya Bryzgalov, Philadelphia Flyers — Ilya Bryzgalov became the team’s starting goaltender and, thanks to the salary cap restrictions, the team was forced to trade Jeff Carter to Columbus and Mike Richards to Los Angeles. Carter and Richards reunited in Los Angeles and won a Stanley Cup together. Bryzgalov played 99 games in Philadelphia over the course of two seasons, winning 52 games.

4. David Clarkson (signed a 7 year, $36.25 million deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs)

David Clarkson, Toronto Maple Leafs

4. David Clarkson (signed a 7 year, $36.25 million deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs)

David Clarkson, Toronto Maple Leafs — After successful campaigns as a New Jersey Devil player, David Clarkson wanted to ‘come home’. He wanted to play with the team that he followed through his childhood. It was the richest contract in Toronto Maple Leafs' history. Clarkson scored 26 points in 118 games in Toronto and was a contract embarrassment.

3. Nathan Horton (signed a 7 year, $37.5 million deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets)

Nathan Horton, Columbus Blue Jackets — Prior to the start of the 2013-14 season, Nathan Horton signed in Columbus as a free agent. He played only 36 games and had 19 points during his tenure with the Blue Jackets. He was later traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs, the following season. His career is probably finished after a series of back injuries.

2. Alexei Yashin (signed a 10 year, $87.5 million deal with the New York Islanders)

Alexei Yashin, New York Islanders — Alexei Yashin’s point production dropped off after successful seasons with the Ottawa Senators. In his first season on Long Island, he had 75 points. Adding Yashin, still couldn't help the Islanders franchise. They made the Stanley Cup playoffs. However, they could not get out of the first round. The next four seasons saw his points diminish.

1. Rick DiPietro (signed a 15 year, $67.5 million deal with the New York Islanders)

Rick DiPietro, New York Islanders — DiPietro signed for this contract after 123 career starts. Injuries plagued the netminder and made it one of the worst contracts in the 21st century of the four major North American sports leagues. It’s not known what the future will hold for DiPietro as a goaltender in the league, but the Islanders appear willing to cut ties from him as Jaroslav Halak and Michal Neuvirth are their goaltenders for next season.

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