50 NHL Players Who Aren’t Worth the Money

Bad contracts are the bane of general managers when they have NHL players who aren't worth the money.

50 NHL Players Who Aren’t Worth the Money

If you want to see an NHL general manager get his shorts in a bunch, one bad word will do it. Overpaid. This is especially true in the pandemic era. Because teams took considerable financial hits in the last two seasons, the salary cap will be stagnant for a while. That renders every overgenerous contract that much worse.

With an assist from Spotrac, which supplied the numbers, here’s the shortlist of the most overpaid players in professional hockey. To be eligible, a player had to 1) take part in at least 20 games in the 2020-21 season, 2) have a minimum $3 million cash salary and 3) be under contract for next season.

Alexa, please void these deals as soon as possible if not earlier...

50. Brett Connolly

Career: 14 seasons (2007-present)

Teams: Tampa Bay Lightning (2011-15),Boston Bruins (2015-16), Washington Capitals (2016-19), Florida Panthers (2019-21), Chicago Blackhawks (2021-present)

Cash salary: $3.5 million

Career statistics: 527 games played/101 goals/93 assists/+12 plus-minus rating

* Note: Career statistics are included through the 2020-21 season.

Bottom Line: Brett Connolly

It made sense for the Panthers to pursue the 26-year-old on the heels of a career-high, 22-goal season, but not at a hefty 113 percent pay increase over four years.

It took less than two seasons for the organization to cut its losses.

49. Patrick Kane

Patrick Kane congratulates Philipp Kurashev

Career: 14 seasons (2007-present)

Teams: Chicago Blackhawks (2007-present)

Cash salary: $7 million

Career statistics: 1,029/402/684/+62

Bottom Line: Patrick Kane

While the 32-year-old remains a point-a-game player, he comes off career lows in his bread and butter — goals (15) and power-play goals (3).

His $10.5 million average salary ranks No. 9 in the league.

48. Sean Monahan

Career: 8 seasons (2014-present)

Teams: Calgary Flames (2014-present)

Cash salary: $6 million

Career statistics: 591/204/235/-31

Bottom Line: Sean Monahan

Calgary Flames center Sean Monahan skates

The power forwardpeaked at 82 points in the 2018-19 campaign, but health issues have taken him down, down, down since then.

47. Brent Burns

Career: 17 seasons (2003-present)

Teams: Minnesota Wild (2003-11), San Jose Sharks (2011- present)

Cash salary: $10 million

Career statistics: 1,238/226/543/-35

Bottom Line: Brent Burns

The 36-year-old bearded wonder has fallen prey to age and the rigors of a 25-plus-minute workload.

Worse yet, his salary cap hit will increase in the final four seasons of his eight-year, $64 million deal.

46. Jared Spurgeon

Minnesota Wild defenseman Jared Spurgeon shoots against Vegas Golden Knights

Career: 11 seasons (2010-present)

Teams: Minnesota Wild (2010-present)

Cash salary:

Career statistics: 707/89/216/+48

Bottom Line: Jared Spurgeon

Minnesota Wild's Jared Spurgeon moves puck

This d-man has been among the most consistent throughout his career. It’s just that, at 31, he has likely maxed out with six years left on a seven-year, $53 million deal.

That partly explains why his team is in salary cap hell at the moment.

45 Chris Kreider

Career: 9 seasons (2012-present)

Teams: New York Rangers (2012-present)

Cash salary: $10 million

Career statistics: 573/177/169/+67

Bottom Line: Chris Kreider

New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider celebrates his goal against the Detroit Red Wings

Kreider has been a consistent 20-plus goal scorer who gets paid like a 30-plus goal scorer.

A signing bonus comprises nearly half his salary, which renders the salary cap hit more manageable.

44. Colton Parayko

Career: 6 seasons (2015-present)

Teams: St. Louis Blues (2015-present)

Cash salary: $3.35 million

Career statistics: 418/41/130/+54

Bottom Line: Colton Parayko

Colton Parayko and Conor Sheary compete for puck

Parayko comes off an injury-marred season, his worst to date.

His salary will escalate to $5.63 million in the 2021-22 season, the last of a five-year, $27.5 million deal.

43. Travis Konecny

Career: 5 seasons (2016-present)

Teams: Philadelphia Flyers (2016-present)

Cash salary: $5 million

Career statistics: 349/94/125/+5

Bottom Line: Travis Konecny

Philadelphia Flyers' Travis Konecny scores goal

After three consecutive 24-goal campaigns, the forward slumped to 11 last season when health problems continued to be problematic.

He has four years left on a six-year, $33 million agreement.

42. Mikko Koskinen

Edmonton Oilers goaltender Mikko Koskinen looks on

Career: 4 seasons (2010-11, 2018-present)

Teams: New York Islanders (2010-11),Edmonton Oilers (2018-present)

Cash salary: $3.8 million

Career statistics: 163/83-58-12/3/.906

Bottom Line: Mikko Koskinin

Edmonton Oilers goaltender Mikko Koskinen stops puck

A franchise goalie should be at the top of the Oilers want list, one would think. But nooooo, they settled on a 30-year-old vagabond who once had been out of the league for six years.

He was gifted a three-year, $13.5 million contract extension that runs through the 2021-22 season.

41. Marcus Pettersson

Marcus Pettersson congratulates Chad Ruhwedel

Career: 4 seasons (2017-present)

Teams: Anaheim Ducks (2017-18), Pittsburgh Penguins (2018-present)

Cash salary: $4 million

Career statistics: 222/7/53/+39

Bottom Line: Marcus Pettersson

New York Rangers' Artemi Panarin collides with Pittsburgh Penguins' Marcus Pettersson

This defenseman tries hard at one end and scores a goal every three months at the other. Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford believed that package was worth $20.1 million over five seasons.

Now, it’s left to successor Ron Hextall to clean up the spill.

40. Victor Rask

Minnesota Wild center Victor Rask skates away from Arizona Coyotes center Nick Schmaltz

Career: 7 seasons (2014-present)

Teams: Carolina Hurricanes (2014-19), Minnesota Wild (2019-present)

Cash salary: $4 million

Career statistics: 459/80/122/-26

Bottom Line: Victor Rask

Seattle Kraken center Victor Rask passes puck

After the 22-goal center scored 22 goals in his second season, Hurricanes management locked him up for the next six seasons.

Their projections were just a little bit short of the mark, though. He has averaged a mere 9.7 goals per season since then.

39. Jacob Trouba

New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba skates against Lawson Crouse

Career: 9 seasons (2013-present)

Teams: Winnipeg Jets (2013-19), New York Rangers (2019-present)

Cash salary: $10 million

Career statistics: 516/51/167/+28

Bottom Line: Jacob Trouba

New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba and St. Louis Blues center Brayden Schenn fight

When the Blue Shirts signed the free agent defenseman to a front-loaded, $56 million deal, eyes bugged out around the league. The next two seasons confirmed their reaction.

It’s premature to write off the 26-year-old at this stage, but the guy has a big tab to pick up.

38. Tyler Myers

Career: 12 seasons (2009-present)

Teams: Buffalo Sabres (2009-15), Winnipeg Jets (2015-19), Vancouver Canucks (2019-present)

Cash salary: $5 million

Career statistics: 758/86/221/-6

Bottom Line: Tyler Myers

Tyler Myers celebrates with Tanner Pearson

Myers entered the league with lots of size (6-foot-8) and hype (12th overall pick), but he never lived up to massive expectations.

Nonetheless, some general managers are suckers for potential. They’ve shelled out a cool $53 million-plus in this case.

37. Jonathan Quick

Career: 14 seasons (2007-present)

Teams: Los Angeles Kings (2007-present)

Cash salary: $5 million

Career statistics: 666/336-249-69/2.41/.913

Bottom Line: Jonathan Quick

Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick glove save

Well, you know what they say...

If you’re gonna overpay for a 35-year-old, backup goalie whose best days are behind him, then get at least two Stanley Cups out of him when his best days are in front of him.

36. James Neal

St. Louis Blues James Neal and Colorado Avalanche Andre Burakovsky skates

Career: 13 seasons (2008-present)

Teams: Dallas Stars (2008-11), Pittsburgh Penguins (2011-14), Nashville Predators (2014-17), Vegas Golden Knights (2017-18), Calgary Flames (2018-19), Edmonton Oilers (2019-present)

Cash salary: $5.75 million

Career statistics: 850/294/261/+8

Bottom Line: James Neal

As long as the Oilers sign one-dimensional, 32-year-old has-beens like this one, they’re doomed to salary cap purgatory.

It might be worth $3.83 million to buy out the contract and try, try again.

35. Ivan Provorov

Philadelphia Flyers' Ivan Provorov and Vegas Golden Knights' Chandler Stephenson collide

Career: 5 seasons (2016-present)

Teams: Philadelphia Flyers (2016-present)

Cash salary: $4.75 million

Career statistics: 371/50/109/+9

Bottom Line: Ivan Provorov

Philadelphia Flyers' Ivan Provorov skates the puck past Toronto Maple Leafs' Michael Bunting

How many years have we heard that Provorov is the second coming of Nicklas Lidstrom?

Ha. Haha. Hahaha. Hahahaha. Hahahahaha ... Have you ever seen the Flyers win the Cup?

34. Mats Zuccarello

Minnesota Wild's Mats Zuccarello passes puck against Philadelphia Flyers' Cam Atkinson

Career: 11 seasons (2010-present)

Teams: New York Rangers (2010-2019), Dallas Stars (2019), Minnesota North Stars (2019-present)

Cash salary: $5 million

Career statistics: 618/140/287/+40

Bottom Line: Mats Zuccarello

Mats Zuccarello celebrates goal with Jason Zucker

The Lizard reached the 20-goal mark once in his career. That was eight seasons ago.

His five-year, $30 million contract is guaranteed and calls for a hefty 50 percent raise in the 2021-22 season.

33. Ryan Getzlaf

Career: 16 seasons (2005-present)

Teams: Anaheim Ducks (2005-present)

Cash salary: $6 million

Career statistics: 1,101/279/703/+116

Bottom Line: Ryan Getzlaf

Los Angeles Kings' Dustin Brown fights for puck

When the 27-year-old team captain re-upped for eight years at $66 million, it had the appearance of a fair deal for both sides.

But too many hard minutes and too little support around him made for diminishing returns, especially in the last three seasons.

32. Sergei Bobrovsky

Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky makes save

Career: 11 seasons (2010-present)

Teams: Philadelphia Flyers (2010-12), Columbus Blue Jackets (2012-19), Florida Panthers (2019-present)

Cash salary: $12 million

Career statistics: 538/297-180-45/2.56/.916

Bottom Line: Sergei Bobrovsky

So desperate were the Panthers to land a franchise goalie, they rewarded the 30-year-old free agent with a monstrous seven-year, $70 million contract, the second richest at the position.

Problem was,the two-time Vezina Trophy version hadn’t been seen in a while. Bob will be so old by the time the deal expires, his nickname will be Robert by then.

31. Nate Schmidt

Winnipeg Jets defenseman Nate Schmidt shoots during an NHL hockey game

Career: 8 seasons (2013-present)

Teams: Washington Capitals (2013-17), Vegas Golden Knights (2017-2020). Vancouver Canucks (2020-21), Winnipeg Jets (2021-present)

Cash salary: $6.1 million

Career statistics: 450/34/121/+81

Bottom Line: Nate Schmidt

Winnipeg Jets' Nate Schmidt controls the puck

The expansion Golden Knights had lots of money to burn in their debut season, and the veteran puck-mover reaped the benefits of a six-year, $35.7 million deal.

That was a No. 1 d-man salary for a middle-pair player. Two trades later, the Jets will pick up the tab for the final three years.

30. Kevin Hayes

New York Rangers' Kevin Hayes drives against Carolina Hurricanes' Lucas Wallmark

Career: 8 seasons (2014-present)

Teams: New York Rangers (2014-19), Winnipeg Jets (2019), Philadelphia Flyers (2019-present)

Cash salary: $9 million

Career statistics: 505/127/174/20

Bottom Line: Kevin Hayes

Philadelphia Flyers' Kevin Hayes carries puck as Columbus Blue Jackets' Eric Robinson defends

Some Philly lug nuts rave about this guy. Sorry, we don’t see it. The center is paid more than Leon Draisaitl, Anje Kopitar, Aleksander Barkov, Nathan MacKinnon ... or to put it another way, he rakes in more money in three months than Bobby Clarke did in his 15-season career.

We bet the franchise GOAT is pissed about this.

29. John Tavares

Toronto Maple Leafs' John Tavares during first period of NHL hockey game

Career: 13 seasons (2009-present)

Teams: New York Islanders (2009-present), Toronto Maple Leafs (2018-present)

Cash salary: $9.35 million

Career statistics: 870/364/455/-18

Bottom Line: John Tavares

Count us among those who gets why the captain wanted Toronto in the summer of 2018 and his hometown team wanted him. But did management have to bid against itself when it was obvious where his heart was all along?

It grossly overpaid for three or four peak seasons in the seven-year, $77 million megadeals, most if not all are already behind him.

28. Josh Morrissey

Josh Morrissey and Joel Eriksson skating

Career: 7 seasons (2015-present)

Teams: Winnipeg Jets (2015-present)

Cash salary: $8 million

Career statistics: 344/28/101/+3

Bottom Line: Josh Morrissey

Here’s a No. 2 or No. 3 d-man who is paid like a top dog. Then again, when Dustin Byfuglien upped and quit on short notice two years ago, the mid-market team had little choice except to overpay him.

Seven years remain on his eight-year, $50 million deal, the final three of which will pay a more reasonable $4.8 million annually.

27. T.J. Brodie

Calgary Flames defenseman TJ Brodie plays against Detroit Red Wings

Career: 12 seasons (2010-present)

Teams: Calgary Flames (2010-2020), Toronto Maple Leafs (2020-present)

Cash salary: $5 million

Career statistics: 690/49/231/37

Bottom Line: T.J. Brodie

In his early 30s, this veteran peaked two years ago. No matter. The Maple Loafs were so desperate to upgrade their backline, the free agent couldn’t turn down their lucrative four-year, $20 million offer.

The deal maxes out at $7.5 million in the final year, at which point he’ll be a 34-year-old albatross.

26. John Gibson

Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson defends the puck

Career: 9 seasons (2013-present)

Teams: Anaheim Ducks (2013-present)

Cash salary: $6.65 million

Career statistics: 322/2.58/.917

Bottom Line: John Gibson

We don’t buy that a guy who had been an elite goalie not long ago suddenly forgot how to stop pucks the last two seasons. Rather, we see a frustrated player who knows that he’ll never hoist a Stanley Cup where he’s stuck now.

How good would the Pittsburgh native look good in black and gold? Just sayin’.

25. Pierre-Luc Dubois

Columbus Blue Jackets' Pierre-Luc Dubois celebrates his goal

Career: 5 seasons (2017-present)

Teams: Columbus Blue Jackets (2017-2020), Winnipeg Jets (2020-present)

Cash salary: $6.65 million

Career statistics: 280 games played/74 goals/105 assists/+14 plus-minus rating

Bottom Line: Pierre-Luc Dubois

It’s much too early to write this enigma off completely, but we wonder if we’ve seen the best of him already.

Consider that the Jets gave up headcase Patrik Laine to get him, and the guy was worth a dice roll.

24. Olli Maatta

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Olli Maatta plays against the Vegas Golden Knights

Career: 9 seasons (2013-present)

Teams: Pittsburgh Penguins (2013-2019), Chicago Blackhawks (2019-20), Los Angeles Kings (2020-present)

Cash salary: $4.1 million

Career statistics: 468/29/99/+53

Bottom Line: Olli Maatta

There’s only one thing worse than a slow defenseman. It’s a slow d-man who has had shoulder, thyroid and hand surgeries.

We believe that’s called the Olli Maatta Hat Trick.

23. Blake Wheeler

Career: 14 seasons (1979-99)

Teams: Boston Bruins (2008-11), Atlanta Thrashers (2011), Winnipeg Jets (2011-present)

Cash salary: $10 million

Career statistics: 981/279/528/+83

Bottom Line: Blake Wheeler

Winnipeg Jets right wing Blake Wheeler celebrates with Nik Antropov

This warhorse reminds me of an older John Tavares — a 34-year-old captain who can no longer meet the expectations of his five-year, $45.25 million contract, which includes a $4 million signing bonus.

Spend some of those bucks on the backline, and the J-E-T-S would be that much better for it.

22. Nicklas Backstrom

Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom in action

Career: 15 seasons (2007-present)

Teams: Washington Capitals (2007-present)

Cash salary: $10 million

Career statistics: 1,011/258/722/+119

Bottom Line: Nicklas Backstrom

Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom warms up

This Capitals lifer should give Alex Ovechkin at least one-third of his bloated salary. Did you know that 293 of his career assists (playoffs included) came on Ovi goals?

That’s a ridiculous 37 percent.

21. Ryan Suter

Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan Suter checks Marian Hossa

Career: 16 seasons (2005-21)

Teams: Nashville Predators (2005-12), Minnesota Wild (2012-21)

Cash salary: $6 million

Career statistics: 1,198/93/514/+105

Bottom Line: Ryan Suter

Minnesota Wild defenseman Ryan Suter congratulated after scoring

If team management had consulted us in 2012, when it hitched the future of the franchise to this guy and Zach Parise with matching 13-year, $98 million contracts, it could have saved a lot of money. We were among those who were skeptical that the high-stakes marriage would end well.

Sure enough, the organization bought out the final four years of both deals after the 2020-21 season. The team never advanced past the second round of the playoffs while they were there.

20. Braden Holtby

Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby blocks shot by John Tavares

Career: 12 seasons (2010-21)

Teams: Washington Capitals (2010-2020), Vancouver Canucks (2020-present)

Cash salary: $5.7 million

Career statistics: 489 games played/2.58 goals-against average/.915 save percentage

Bottom Line: Braden Holtby

Did you need to overpay this much for a backup who was worse than every goalie except one (ahem, Carter Hart) in goals-against average and save percentage among the 47 who played at least 20 games last season?

Please discuss.

19. Zack Kassian

Edmonton Oilers' Zack Kassian tries to get shot off during third period

Career: 11 seasons (2011-present)

Teams: Buffalo Sabres (2011-12), Vancouver Canucks (2012-15), Edmonton Oilers (2016-present)

Cash salary: $3.5 million

Career statistics: 552/84/98/39

Bottom Line: Zack Kassian

There’s something to be said for his 6-foot-3 size and physicality, especially with a team that has Connor McDonald around (think: a decaffeinated Dave Semenko).

Still, the guy is in his 30s, doesn’t score much, doesn’t contribute on special teams and plays bottom-six minutes.

18. Dylan Strome

Chicago Blackhawks' Dylan Strome celebrates his goal

Career: 6 seasons (2016-present)

Teams: Arizona Coyotes (2016-18),Chicago Blackhawks (2018-present)

Cash salary: $3.6 million

Career statistics: 204/45/77/-24

Bottom Line: Dylan Strome

Chicago Blackhawks Dylan Strome controls puck

Did the Arizona Coyotes make a huge mistake to select him third overall in the loaded 2015 draft, which featured Mitch Marner (fourth), Mikko Rantanen (10th), Mathew Barzal (16th) and Kyle Connor (17th) among other stud forwards?

It’s too early to say for certain — he’s only in his mid-20s — but we don’t like that his numbers have dropped like a rock since a 57-point season two years ago. Waiting. Still waiting...

17. Carey Price

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price deflects shot

Career: 14 seasons (2007-21)

Teams: Montreal Canadiens (2007-21)

Cash salary: $13 million

Career statistics: 707/2.50/.917

Bottom Line: Carey Price

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price follows play

As this Price confirmed in the 2021 postseason, he can still play albeit in smaller doses. But he’s no longer so good to be paid more than anyone except Connor McDavid and Erik Karlsson in all of puckdom.

Would the Habs be better off with one less overpaid netminder and one more legit goal-scorer, for instance? You know the answer.

16. Martin Jones

Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Martin Jones stops shot

Career: 9 seasons (2013-present)

Teams: Los Angeles Kings (2013-15), San Jose Sharks (2015-present)

Cash salary: $5.5 million

Career statistics: 361/2.60/.908

Bottom Line: Martin Jones

Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Martin Jones defends goal

His goals-against average has increased in every season that he has been in the league, seven in all. Has that ever happened before?

In most cases, a goalie is only as effective as the support in front of him, but that trend should set off a siren. Jones is only halfway through a six-year, $34.5 million deal.

15. P.K. Subban

Career: 13 seasons (2009-present)

Teams: Montreal Canadiens (2009-16), Nashville Predators (2016-19), New Jersey Devils (2019-present)

Cash salary: $8 million

Career statistics: 757/110/335/13

Bottom Line: P.K. Subban

It was only three years ago when this guy was a Norris Trophy candidate. OK, P.K., wha’ happened?

You could blame his -37 rating on the inexperience around him, but he wasn’t even a regular on the power play, which had been his bread and butter. Has he maxed out? Stay tuned. There’s rarely a dull moment on his planet.

14. Jeff Skinner

Kyle Palmieri and Jeff Skinner chase the puck

Career: 12 seasons (2010-present)

Teams: Carolina Hurricanes (2010-18), Buffalo Sabres (2018-present)

Cash salary: $10 million

Career statistics: 429/90/185/-14

Bottom Line: Jeff Skinner

Buffalo Sabres left wing Jeff Skinner celebrates his goal

His forgettable 2020-21 season (seven goals, seven assists) was summed up in one 75-foot solo breakaway. He didn’t have a stick in his hands and dribbled the puck the entire way. Hey, why not? Nothin’ else worked for him.

Strange how a proven sniper can lose his nerve and his confidence to this extent, but until he finds them, the second-highest-paid left wing in the league will continue to be among its most expensive enigmas as well.

13. Max Domi

Career: 7 seasons (2015-present)

Teams: Arizona Coyotes (2015-18),Montreal Canadiens (2018-20), Columbus Blue Jackets (2020-22), Carolina Hurricanes (2022-present)

Cash salary: $6 million

Career statistics: 429/90/185/-14

Bottom Line: Max Domi

Not only did the BJ’s give up a power forward with upside (Josh Anderson) to acquire this laggard two years ago, but they threw in a third-round draft pick to make the deal more lop-sided yet.

Looks like he's the Hurricanes' problem now, though.

12. Kyle Okposo

Career: 15 seasons (2007-present)

Teams: New York Islanders (2007-16), Buffalo Sabres (2016-present)

Cash salary: $4 million

Career statistics: 835/198/321/-114

Bottom Line: Kyle Okposo

Kyle Okposo fighting for puck with Adam Fox

After this Islander forward put together three fairly productive seasons, the Sabres went all in with a generous seven-year, $42 million offer. Apparently, they didn’t read the fine print: Played on the John Tavares line.

Since then, the veteran has been a considerable disappointment, partly because of health issues, partly because of the lug nuts around him. Team management would be wise to buy out his contract and cut its losses.

11. Drew Doughty

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty shouts as he celebrates his goal

Career: 14 seasons (2008-present)

Teams: Los Angeles Kings (2008-present)

Cash salary: $11 million

Career statistics: 975/125/411/+29

Bottom Line: Drew Doughty

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty skates around Arizona Coyotes' Clayton Keller and Jakob Chychrun

This 11-time All-Star was a bargain when his team contended for Stanley Cups on a regular basis. Um, that was a long time ago.

Since then, he signed an eight-year, $88 million contract extension that won’t expire until he’s 36 years old. In hockey speak, that’s known as a King’s ransom.

10. Phil Kessel

Pittsburgh Penguins' Phil Kessel celebrates

Career: 16 seasons (2006-present)

Teams: Boston Bruins (2006-09), Toronto Maple Leafs (2009-15), Pittsburgh Penguins (2015-19), Phoenix Coyotes (2019-present)

Cash salary: $6 million

Career statistics: 1,122/391/513/-124

Bottom Line: Phil Kessel

Arizona Coyotes right wing Phil Kessel collects puck

Phil The Pill is good for about three goals every month. Fine. Swell. The guy also averages roughly one hit for every two hours of ice time.

Oh, and check out that putrid plus-minus rating...

9. Matt Murray

Ottawa Senators goaltender Matt Murray makes pad save on shot by Alex Killorn

Career: 7 seasons (2015-present)

Teams: Pittsburgh Penguins (2015-20), Ottawa Senators (2020-present)

Cash salary: $6 million

Career statistics: 226/2.74/.912

Bottom Line: Matt Murray

Like his woefully inexperienced team, Murray stunk it up in the early weeks of the crazy 2020-21 campaign. But as the team defense became more consistent, so did its goalie before a lower-body injury cut short his season. Another injury in the 2021-22 season means we don't know when he'll be back on the ice.

But we don’t expect to see the two-time Stanley Cup winner on this list again.

8. Jakub Voracek

Career: 10 seasons (2012-present)

Teams: Philadelphia Flyers (2012-21), Blue Jackets (2021-present)

Cash salary: $7.5 million

Career statistics: 968/216/522/+16

Bottom Line: Jakub Voracek

Other than an ability to pass the puck, there’s not much here. Jake The Fake has yet to score more than 23 goals in a season. Physicality? Gritty, the Flyers' team mascot, was known for hitting more people.

Yet somehow, he’s the seventh highest-paid right wing in the league. We'll see if he does much better with the Blue Jackets.

7. Danny DeKeyser

Danny DeKeyser and Matt Duchene compete for puck

Career: 10 seasons (2012-present)

Teams: Detroit Red Wings (2012-present)

Cash salary: $5 million

Career statistics: 488/33/102/+12

Bottom Line: Danny DeKeyser

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Danny DeKeyser celebrates his goal with Dylan Larkin

Who says it doesn’t pay to play with a sucky team? This Motown native has reaped the benefits of a six-year deal that puts him among the top 50 highest-paid players at his position.

Meanwhile, the guy has one takeaway in 1,027 minutes over the last two seasons. That doesn’t include the $10 million that he stole from the organization, of course.

6. Josh Manson

Josh Manson knocks puck away Jonathan Huberdeau

Career: 8 seasons (2014-present)

Teams: Anaheim Ducks (2014-22), Colorado Avalanche (2022-present)

Cash salary: $5 million

Career statistics: 408/22/82/+39

Bottom Line: Josh Manson

The then 26-year-old d-man had career highs of 37 points and plus-34 three years ago. He also received Norris Trophy votes.

Since then, his career has fallen off, which is likely why he was recently traded to the Colorado Avalanche.

5. Frans Nielsen

Career: 16 seasons (2006-present)

Teams: New York Islanders (2006-16), Detroit Red Wings (2016-present)

Cash salary: $3 million

Career statistics: 925/167/306/-37

Bottom Line: Frans Nielsen

This has-been was paid seven figures to score one goal last season. O-n-e. Hey, it was a biggie, we’ll have you know.

Came in a victory against the hated Blackhawks in Chicago. Oh, and he gave valuable pro tips to young teammates in the locker room, too.

4. Zach Parise

New York Islanders' Zach Parise shoots puck as Tampa Bay Lightning's Erik Cernak defends

Career: 17 seasons (2005-present)

Teams: New Jersey Devils (2005-12), Minnesota Wild (2012-present)

Cash salary: $6 million

Career statistics: 1,060/393/417/+78

Bottom Line: Zach Parise

You had us at healthy scratch. The veteran remains a threat with the manpower advantage, but that’s an exorbitant amount of money to pay a specialist who’s on the 17th hole of his career.

Team management finally agreed after the 2020-21 season, when they bought out the final four years of the 13-year, $98 million deal.

3. Marc-Edourd Vlasic

Career: 12 seasons (2009-present)

Teams: San Jose Sharks (2009-present)

Cash salary: $7.25 million

Career statistics: 1,086/73/259/+115

Bottom Line: Marc-Edourd Vlasic

Last season, Sharks general manager Doug Wilson committed nearly $20 million to the top three defensemen, this one included. All were 30 or older.

The team coughed up the second-most goals in the league and finished out of the playoffs. Now connect the dots, people.

2. Erik Karlsson

San Jose Sharks' Erik Karlsson avoids New York Rangers' Kevin Rooney

Career: 16 seasons (2006-present)

Teams: Ottawa Senators, San Jose Sharks (2006-present)

Cash salary: $7.25 million

Career statistics: 788/143/482/-63

Bottom Line: Erik Karlsson

Just when one thought that Erik The Dread had reached rock bottom in his Sharks debut, the 2020-21 season was his worst ever. Fact is, offense-obsessed d-men like him and Brent Burns go together like toasters and bathtubs.

So, can we agree that his eight-year, $92 million deal was a horrible mistake as many had predicted at the time?

1. Vladimir Tarasenko

St. Louis Blues' Vladimir Tarasenko handles puck

Career: 10 seasons (2012-present)

Teams: St. Louis Blues (2012-present)

Cash salary: $9.5 million

Career statistics: 531/218/224/+68

Bottom Line: Vladimir Tarasenko

St. Louis Blues' Vladimir Tarasenko carries Stanley Cup

After five consecutive 30-plus-goal campaigns, this temperamental Ruskie was paid $15 million to play 42 of a possible 127 games in the last two seasons.

While team management would like to accommodate his trade request, the list of rival GMs who would take a chance on his thrice-repaired right shoulder was a short one. All of which shows that even good contracts can turn bad quicker than a hiccup.