Screen Shots: The five worst signings of 2008
Ron Hainsey will make $4.5 million per season over the next five years. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)
Adam Proteau
2008-07-10 14:28:45
Calling a particular NHL player “overpaid” is almost always a relative kind of categorization. Why, it wasn’t long ago when some NHL GMs were threatening to take half gainers from the rooftops after a deal like Dustin Penner’s (which averages $4.25 million a season through the 2011-12 campaign) or Brenden Morrow’s (now a downright bargain at $4.1 million a year until 2012-13).
Times change, and in the sports world, costs rarely go down, so I’ll never use the O-Word (no, not ‘Obtuse’) to describe any NHLer.
But I have no qualms whatsoever about using a term such as “gawd-awful” or “mind-bendingly ludicrous” or “words do not have the capacity to describe the sheer absence of brainpower that was behind this” as a label for some of hockey’s off-season, free agent deals. Time and inflation can never alter an act of abject stupidity.
Although there are a number of recognizable, veteran NHL names still available for purchase this off-season, it’s unlikely any yet-to-be-finalized contracts will surpass the ones already signed, either for total bucks or term. Which means it’s time for Screen Shots’ annual list of the five worst contract signings of the year. (Please note: the incensed e-mailer line forms to the left.)
Dishonorable Mentions: Jose Theodore, Washington, (Two years, $9 million), Jeff Finger, Toronto (Four years, $14 million)
5. Bryce Salvador, D, New Jersey (Four years, $11.6 million). People mercilessly ripped Leafs interim GM Cliff Fletcher for signing 28-year-old former Avs defenseman Finger to a four-year deal, one that may yet come to haunt Toronto. But nobody said much when the Devils shelled out nearly $3 million a season for 32-year-old Salvador, a Blues castoff who has never amassed more than 12 points in a single season.
Granted, putting up points isn’t what Salvador is there for. But if you read The Hockey News’ July 1 issue, you’d know Red Wings GM Ken Holland makes a point not to pour bigger-than-average dollars into D-men who only defend. That’s what Lou Lamoriello did here and I’ve got a hunch he’s going to regret it sooner than later.
4. Mike Commodore, D, Columbus (Five years, $18.75 million) Holland’s rule about paying stay-at-home defensemen applies here as well. Commodore is a serviceable second-pair blueliner – and on a genuine Stanley Cup contender, his deal might not stand out as much as it does with Columbus.
Here’s what I’m getting at: as it stands right now, Commodore will be the third-highest-paid player on the Blue Jackets, trailing only Rick Nash and newly-signed Kristian Huselius. Third-highest! Mike! Commodore! And people are seriously debating whether or not this is a playoff team?
3. Michael Ryder, RW, Bruins (Three years, $12 million) Listen, I’m not going to guarantee Ryder won’t recover from a dreadful performance this season and justify GM Peter Chiarelli’s g
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However, I am going to tell you that rewarding a guy who suffered nearly a 50 percent drop in offensive production in Montreal with a $1-million-a-season raise does not send a good message to the rest of the Bruins – in particular, someone like Boston winger Marco Sturm; he had a career offensive year (and more than a 25 percent increase in points), yet, because he didn’t wait to sign a contract extension until free agency season, will earn $500,000 a year less than Ryder.
See kids, life’s not fair even for rich athletes!
2. Wade Redden, D, Rangers (Six years, $39 million) Speaking of being rewarded for diminishing returns, Redden secured a lucrative Manhattan transfer despite all but being run out of Ottawa after a year where you often required a Global Positioning System to find him on the ice during games.
But hey, maybe I’m wrong and Redden will rebound from a season in which he posted the lowest goal total and shooting percentage of his 11-year NHL career. And perhaps he’ll continue to earn every penny of his $6.5 million-a-year contract even when he’s 37 years old.
If he doesn’t, there will be no shortage of “I told you so” talk ringing in the ears of Rangers GM Glen Sather – most of it originating from citizens of Canada’s capital city.
1. Ron Hainsey, D, Atlanta (Five years, $22.5 million) What, you thought Brian Campbell’s monster pact with Chicago would be here? At least that franchise is going places in the immediate future, which made it much easier for Hawks GM Dale Tallon to swallow hard and fork over $7.1 million each year for the next eight years to a defenseman who’s played the All-Star Game each of the past two seasons.
The Thrashers, on the other hand, will likely only contend for the 2009 No. 1 draft pick sweepstakes. And that’s why Hainsey’s deal with Atlanta seems so egregious; remember, this was a guy who was riding the NHL’s waiver wire just three years ago.
Hainsey has matured from that period and will help make up for the Thrashers’ abysmal trade with Philadelphia that sent blueline stud Braydon Coburn to Philadelphia for the since-waived Alexei Zhitnik. Nevertheless, Hainsey won’t win a single game for them on his own.
And when that somebody is the second-highest paid player on the roster, as Hainsey will be for Atlanta next season, that’s just not a good deal.
Adam Proteau is The Hockey News' online columnist and a regular contributor to THN.com. His blog appears Mondays and Wednesdays, his Ask Adam feature appears Tuesdays and Fridays, and his column, Screen Shots, appears Thursdays.
For more great profiles, news and views from the world of hockey, Subscribe to The Hockey News magazine.
cristobal (Posted 2008-07-22 15:57:55)
It wasn't this year, but DEAN LOMBARDI's highest paid player is Micheal Handzus. DEAN LOMBARDI actually signed him for 4 years so the Kings are tied to 3 more years at 4 million a piece. This on the heels of the CLOUTIER debacle.
Marty (Posted 2008-07-17 16:38:48)
Umm, Steve...you obviously haven't watched Horcoff play. He is one of the hardest working players in the league that fights tooth and nail for his team every single day. He's a strong forward able to play in all situations. He was an "all-star" last year and leading the team in points on pace for a career year before his injury. I would pay him 5.5 for all he does. Look at some of the contracts in the league - they're insane and only seem to be getting worse! He may not be a flashy scorer, but he still gets the job done and can find chemistry with anyone he plays with. I would say it's a good thing if a guy can do so much for his team and fly under the radar.
Steve (Posted 2008-07-17 13:48:40)
I'd like to add Sean Horcoff to this list. When Kevin Lowe pays $5.5 million for a nondescript guy who struggles to crack the twenty goal mark, he makes Oren Koules and Len Barrie look like cheapskates. If Horcoff's worth $5.5 million per, then Malone's worth ten and Lecavalier's worth fifty.
LEO KILLER (Posted 2008-07-17 12:23:13)
You forgot about the great Devils signing of Bobby Holik and overpaying a OLD Rolston. General Lou doesnt have it no more ( did he ever?) bahhahahahahahahahah
bobby 2.0 (Posted 2008-07-16 20:10:59)
bobby at the bottem was extermly uber right....he is my hero and i wish i could be him
p.s the leafs should bring back aki berg(the best player in leafs histroy)
Sean (Posted 2008-07-16 13:35:22)
Finger the next Lidstrom and Antropov winning the scoring race - those are equally likely. As likely as Hollweg winning the Lady Byng.
rob (Posted 2008-07-15 12:48:50)
i agree with curtis, lay off of finger because he could be worth what toronto paid, we've all seen more surprising things than that. and also while i wish antropov would win some trophys, i think that there is a higher chance of finger becoming lidstrom than antropov leading the league in scoring and points
Curtis (Posted 2008-07-14 18:37:25)
Everyone is bashing the finger signing in toronto and why? Wait untill the next season is over for your criticism because we don't know hows hes going to do. BTW antropov will win nothing next year and ovechkin is the best player in the league. He carried his team into the playoffs almost singlehandedly. and another thing is malkin does not disappear when his team needs him, as he proved when him and conklin stepped up and saved the team from a nosedive in the standings. malkin may have disappeared in the finals but thats because he has never played that intense of hockey in his life, so its understandable. next time he wont disappear, he may not be as effective but you will still notice him.
habs (Posted 2008-07-14 13:21:59)
MONTREAL SUCKS GO LEAFS antropovs winning the hart.art ross and rocket richard trophey next year
Steve (Posted 2008-07-13 23:28:14)
If Tampa wants to get their money's worth out of Malone (which, at $4.5 million is probably not possible), he's going to need to play on the top line with Lecavalier and St Louis. Stamkos looks far too fast for Malone. Malone will still be in the neutral zone when Stamkos has the puck near the net. Happened when Malone played with Crosby and it'll happen again with Stamkos. Malone did fine with Malkin because Malkin, like Lecavalier, is a heckuva skater for a big man, but is not--literally--twice as fast as Malone (as Crosby and, seemingly, Stamkos are). Malone planting himself in front of the net while Lecavalier and St Louis work their give-and-go's from the boards and slot=good. Malone eating Stamkos's dust on what should have been a 2-on-1=bad. Then again, since Tampa only has four NHL defensemen, one of whom flat out stinks (Kuba), maybe this is all moot and Tampa really wants Malone to play defense.
Stuart Neill (Posted 2008-07-13 23:16:04)
As an Ottawa Senators fan, I am so glad that Wade Redden will be playing for someone else next year. The good news about Wade is that he is a great ambassador for hockey off the ice. The bad news is that the Sens paid him $6 million/year to pay hockey and got very poor value for their money, although he was better than Emery. The unbelievable news is that the Rangers will be paying him even more money next year!
Just a thought, perhaps the Leafs should go after Ranger GM Glen Sather if Brian Burke is not available.
AJ the Rastaman (Posted 2008-07-13 22:05:39)
am i hallucinating or did some schmoe just suggest Malkin is better than Lecavalier? HAHAHAHHAHHAHHAH. nice one. Lecavalier is the best player in the league. PERIOD. the only thing Malkin is the best at is disappearing when his team needs him most. lol. Stamkos, Vrbata, and Malone is going to be a very good 2nd line and considering what we've had on our 2nd line since winning the cup i'm thrilled. oh yeah - i know 1 thing we've DEFINITELY not had since Andreychuk retired... a guy who will stand in front of the net and disrupt the other teams goalie. thanks Pitt GM - we will enjoy thrashing you next year with your former players.
Redge Cole (Posted 2008-07-13 20:17:51)
You know, the Bruins are'nt only about Ryder, they also made another significant acquistion in Blake Wheeler. Remember that Brad Marchand could also make the team. This finally is a well balanced team, defensively and offensively. Their goaltending is a little suspect, Rask inexperienced and Fernandezs' health. I still predict 4th in the East. Still say they need one more d-man, someone like Mez from Ottawa would fit in good, trade Alberts or Lashoff, ott needs help too. My line combos would be two scoring lines & two solid checking lines; Savard-kobasew-kessel and Bergeron-Ryder-Sturm. Possibly, depending on how training camp goes you can also have Wheeler or Marchand(hometown boy,born in NS) this team has a ton of very good players, a lot of possible 30+ goal guys on it, can't wait till regular season to prove the pro's wrong again.
Andrew (Posted 2008-07-13 19:15:08)
Ryder Is Gonna score 40 Goals with Savard. Savard Is a Playmaker & Ryder is a Scorer hell get Career Highs in Boston
steve (Posted 2008-07-12 19:55:51)
Cathy, at least Meszaros doesn't make two turnovers and get crushed three times on every shift like Redden (every shift that he's not being pummeled by non-fighters, that is). All the praise that's being directed at Redden seems to be coming based on lack of familiarity with Redden's game. Bob, I'm not Canadian, but I'm pretty sure you shouldn't be saying Canada doesn't know anything about hockey in the same breath that you describe Wade Redden as a "defensive defenseman" and assert that Daniel Alfredsson and Mike Fisher "never backcheck" (if those two ex-Selke nominees don't do enough back-checking for Redden to perform adequately, he'll really be in for it playing behind Naslund and Zherdev). Redden has never, ever, been considered a "defensive defenseman." On his best day he's a great puck-mover with fantastic two-way instincts. Unfortunately, his best day was four or five years ago and every day since he seems to have gotten worse. Also, the "Ottawa's a bad team" argument doesn't really fly. Redden's game wasn't suffering because Ottawa lacked quality defense. Ottawa lacked quality defense because Redden's game was suffering. But don't take my word for it, you'll find out for yourself in a few months.
Bob (Posted 2008-07-12 07:22:29)
Signing Redden was a brilliant move and one of the best of the off season. Problem with most media people is they actually think Canadian fans know hockey. Most of them are just as stupid as Devils fans. I believe the previous whipping boy the Ottawa fans had was Corvo. How did that work out? He went to the Canes and dominated.
What the pea brain Ottawa fans don't realize is that their team defense is a joke and their goalies are hacks. You expect a defensive defeneman like Redden to shine playing with that garbage? Playing with forwards who never backcheck? Playing with goalies who can't bail out some mistakes which every defenseman in the league make?
Redden is going to one of the strongest team defense teams in hockey with a Superstar goaltender. Redden will play great. He's also the perfect partner for Staal and will help him develop into a star. It's about time Ottawa fans stop finding a scapegoat other than their moron GM who has never gotten that team a real goalie.
Leaf Fan (Posted 2008-07-11 20:20:50)
nlnn you all
rabbit43 (Posted 2008-07-11 18:33:50)
The Rangers resigned Rosival who seemed to have everyone beat him wide last season and let Strudwick and Tyutin go.I'll miss Tyutins hip checks and I thought he was progressing nicely.Did they get anyone from Edmonton for Strudwick or just let him go?
cantskate (Posted 2008-07-11 17:45:45)
Habs wont: Compared to the other contracts for defensemen of his ability that is a good contract. I wouldn't call it a steal, but it's LESS that many worse defensemen received. In addtion, the Wings are getting a guy that proved he could play well in their system rather than a complete unknown quantity. I'm guessing Hainsey and Finger won't be as good on their new teams, yet they are being paid significantly more.
habs wont make the play-offs (Posted 2008-07-11 17:20:51)
Stuart at 3.75 is "below market"? Can you pass me the crack pipe? Conklin was a definate steal. Hossa at 7 million is not bad as well. I think they're being cautious. For some reason the forwards they do sign,DONT pan out. Chemistry issues. Thats why he wasnt signed to big money. For some reason i dont see Hossa doing good over there. Could i be wrong? Hell no.
Napoli (Posted 2008-07-11 14:52:02)
Couldn't agree more -Cantskate-. Detroit has been the standard that any organization would hope to follow in its footsteps. Even as a Pens fan watching them lose to the Wings in the Finals, I couldn't help admiring the team-wide system on both offense and defense. And Conklin was probably the steal of the UFA season and I believe will be remembered as such for years.
cantskate (Posted 2008-07-11 14:41:22)
This ufa season showed one again why Ken Holland is a genius in a room full of retards. He gets Hossa below market, Stuart below market, Conklin below market, while everyone else overpays for a bunch of mediocrities. People talk about him having an advantage because players want to play in Detroit rather than someplace like Atlanta, but that's only because Holland has built such a good team there. It's not like Detroit is a garden spot that everyone wants to live in. Players want to play with other good players, for a good coach, in a good system with a solid org. Holland is responsible for all that.
cathy (Posted 2008-07-11 13:10:54)
orry Cwede, Redden's decline hasn't been limited to the last 2/3 of last season. He was useless not only in this year's playoffs (you know something's wrong when Ryan Whitney can pummel him), but last year's failed cup run as well. I'd say he's been visibly on the decline since the beginning of Chara's last year (I couldn't believe they kept him and ditched big Z). Maybe it has something to do with all his time spent in, cough, "knee" rehab.
this steve guy really doesn't like Redden does he, duh!!! He is a much better person than you, all you can do is write accusations about him. The whole team didn't produce very well last year, but Redden was trying to do his job as well as covering up for what they call his partner Meszaros.
Brian Kemp (Posted 2008-07-11 12:52:47)
Salvador is being overpaid, but only by a little bit. Same goes for Hainsey. Commodore is a little more overpaid, and Ryder would be right on the money if this contract came before last year, rather than after. Redden's about a million over, but the real problem with his contract, and almost all of the contracts mentioned, is the length. 4 years is bad, but 5 or 6, well, that's where the really dumb part comes in. If the owners want to fix the salaries in the NHL, the first thing that needs to be done is limit the contracts length. That or go with NFL style non-guaranteed contracts. That's why I can't for the life of me get why Theodore's contract is anywhere near this page. It's 2 years at a (relatively) reasonable amount for a starter. It won't kill the Caps if he turns out to not be as good as they hope. It's not a crippling, 15 year commitment to Rick Dipietro or anything that ridiculous.
Brian P (Posted 2008-07-11 11:54:58)
At least Hainsey will help bring Atlanta to the salary cap floor. So...they've got that going for them. Commodore and Salvador's contracts look all the more ridiculous next to the deal Ottawa just gave Jason Smith. Gator may be older, but he provides a lot more leadership and character, plus he fights. At least Finger has a bit of upside and potential to him if given more ice time, Gator, Commodore and Salvador are always going to be 4 or 5 guys who will struggle to move the puck effectively and will never be anything more. Who knows, Finger might even be the next Ron Hainsey...
joe johannes (Posted 2008-07-11 11:40:31)
You forgot Avery..................Yeah, NY fans SAY they want him...do they? Why? Besides being a rabble rouser, who can sometimes score, he is NO addition to any team, unless you love being on the "kill". Maybe he's even damaged goods, after his injury. And as far as being overpaid, for too long a contract.........What a joke! Brett, what WERE you thinking????
Sean (Posted 2008-07-11 11:08:18)
napoli - having Mario around probably aids with the sanity. How could other teams pay 0.6 ppg shlubs more than he made per season - that's insanity!
Napoli (Posted 2008-07-11 10:59:17)
From what I can tell the Penguins are one of the few teams that didn't overpay for players in price or years. They concentrated on keeping core players: Malkin, Fleury, and Orpik who all signed for less than what they could get. And then when Hossa signed with Detroit; they signed Satan, Fedatenko, Cooke, and Pesonen for sane amounts of money and mostly 1 year deals (except Cooke's which was longer). They also signed Godard for half the price of Laraque. The Pens went after UFAs Huselius, Bertuzzi, Naslund, Rolston, Demitra, Miettinen, etc. but refused to overpay. Shero had a set of guidlines and stuck to them.
Waddle (Posted 2008-07-11 10:54:34)
Did I just read the words "POOR man's Rob Brown"!? That's the funniest thing I've read on here in a long time! Rob Brown is a poor man's Malone. I don't even like the kid (Malone - definately overpaid as well) that much but to suggest Rob Brown was anything more than a guy Lemieux bounced pucks in off of is rediculous.
Jim Reinecke (Posted 2008-07-11 10:44:50)
How about a discussion of the most obscene miscarriage of justice since the O.J. Simpson verdict? That would be the players association relieving Bob Goodenow of his job after the lockout. You can't honestly make a case that the players lost anything when NHL GM's are paying Saks Fifth Avenue prices for Wal-Mart level talent. For this we lost a whole season of hockey? Yeah, right! You remember how Bettman tiptoed around the term "salary cap" like a man locked in a room with a sleeping lion? He preferred the antiseptic euphemism "cost certainty" instead. Well, Mr. Commish, the only certainty seems to be that the cost of attending an NHL game will continue to rise with these types of contracts being meted out to mediocrities of the league!
Mike D (Posted 2008-07-11 09:41:25)
The point you miss is while ticket prices keep going up what makes you think that they would come down without the signings? The Rangers had a $75 million payroll prelockout. Cap went to 39 then 45 million and prices went up. They were one of six teams making a profit prelockout. What happened to the other $30 million they "save" every year? Every seat sold so they must be underpriced no matter the signings.
Rob (Posted 2008-07-11 08:49:58)
chris: yes, I do think that when the caps add Alzner, their D will be pretty solid. Schultz and Morrisson aren't exactly flashy, but they are big bodies and can block shots/clear pucks and give their partners a chance to make plays up the ice.
Nate from NJ (Posted 2008-07-11 08:45:33)
WHAT?!?! None of the recent Leafs signings? (Finger ring a bell, anyone?)This is first worst list that the Maple Schmucks HAVEN'T made. Will wonders never cease.
Fred S (Posted 2008-07-11 08:41:28)
Hainsey no. 1? Uggh. 10 years later and I'm still waiting for the NHL to come to Atlanta. Thank God for DirecTV and NHL Center Ice!
Patrick (Posted 2008-07-11 08:18:32)
Huet signing should be part of that list.
Art Paladino (Posted 2008-07-11 07:36:42)
The only problem with Redden's deal is the length. He did not get a raise in pay when all other ufa's did. Maybe the problem was the Sens and not Redden! The Rangers needed a defensemen that can play 20 minutes a night and to get that you have to pay. It will be a pleasure for me to sit in my seat at the garden and not have to look at Marek Malik or Tom Poti try to play major minutes.
Rich C (Posted 2008-07-11 00:46:24)
No!!, Hainsey??? , (seriously), it's not like any other free agents were looking at Atlanta at all!! & DEAD ON on Marco Sturm!! he set the OLD standard on 50-60Point second tier, (or 1A first tier) forwards as far as $$$ was concerned.
I still think Campbell should be on there, come on, Hainsey's $$$ could actually argue being 1/2 the player he is, (& I still don't think Campbell is Niedermayer or Pronger etc.) I will never forget Primeau's same beef with Carolina, (during his holdout), that 4-5Mil stated that he could be 1/2 a Forsberg or Sakic, (at 9-10mil).
RCM (Posted 2008-07-10 23:36:37)
ON Redden-You guys in Canada seem pretty harsh on his recent performance.
I would not focus as much on his offensive statistics as much as his ability to play steady defense and win those 1 goal games.
Ottawa at one time had to choose between Redden and Chara. I was surprised at that choice at the time but assumed it was the right choice.
Clearly he couldn't have stumbled that much in one year or so. I know Ottawa wanted him back but at a much cheaper price. Maybe the New York crowd can push him back to his "A" game.I know the team will be better with him in there and Tyutin out.
Scott F. Shaw (Posted 2008-07-10 23:24:47)
Getting kind of tired of all the shots being taken at the Thrashers. I don't mind it when its warranted and God knows the Thrash mgt. team has brought much of it on themselves but this is gratuitous piling on by an obvious hack writer. Everyone will agree that the consensus has been the Finger signing as the worst signing of the year. Beat up the Thrash for a lot of things but this is a good signing. himthatknows says so!
Lamar (Posted 2008-07-10 23:02:23)
If it were me, I'd have to list most of the signings as questionable due to the stupid money thrown around! The only guy that got a reasonable contract, less than most of us thought he'd get, was Conklin. That was the steal of the decade so far, especially if Ozzie gets hurt.
But Redden, Avery, Campbell, Finger, Huet, Theodore, and most of the rest are all being grossly overpaid and who pays the price, the fans, of course.
Steve (Posted 2008-07-10 23:00:51)
Sorry Cwede, Redden's decline hasn't been limited to the last 2/3 of last season. He was useless not only in this year's playoffs (you know something's wrong when Ryan Whitney can pummel him), but last year's failed cup run as well. I'd say he's been visibly on the decline since the beginning of Chara's last year (I couldn't believe they kept him and ditched big Z). Maybe it has something to do with all his time spent in, cough, "knee" rehab.
Caz (Posted 2008-07-10 22:59:11)
Chris Katica - Good call. I'm a Pens fan also and I'm glad they didn't waste their money on Malone. He's a poor man's Rob Brown/John Cullen/Kevin Stevens. Any third liner could get 51 pts playing alongside Malkin or Crosby. Jeff - Campbell took less money to play with Chicago? That's funny. I didn't know bottom teams like Atlanta were willing to offer more money than what he got with the Hawks. If anyone took less money to play on a competitive team, it's Hossa.
Jon (Posted 2008-07-10 22:09:35)
Bobby, come on!!! How can you compare Gill to Foote? Give me a break.
Dave (Posted 2008-07-10 21:19:24)
Hainsey was a waiver wire pick up for us a few years ago. One thing he is not is a top 4 defenseman. He's not gonna be any kind of a game changer in ATL. He might actually be worse next year as its possible the Thrashers will be worse than the Blue Jackets...
Sean (Posted 2008-07-10 21:03:51)
No doubt Finger will be as awesome in white and blue as Hal Gill was.
Saus (Posted 2008-07-10 20:42:48)
"I wouldn't worry about the Ryder signing! He will put up around 75-80 pts this year. As long as he is playing with any line he will get those pts. The Bruins have the best passing team in the league but have no one that can shoot until now."
Detroit has the best passing team in the league.
Sheri Rice (Posted 2008-07-10 20:02:53)
The Salvador signing was a bit of an over-payment but the Devils need to add a couple more NHL ready defensemen to bolster what was a thin blue-line corps last season. They have a few youngsters to look at in training camp but as usual, they rely on veterans, regardless if they are worth the money they pay them.
bobby (Posted 2008-07-10 19:37:20)
the leafs didn't overpay for jeff finger just watch in 3-4 years he's going to be like a adam foote or hall gill
Huck (Posted 2008-07-10 19:10:43)
And why is Adam merely a sports writer and not a GM? I think the contracts given are relative with the hike in league revenue and the cap. The biggest winners are the teams that didn't spend an inflated dime, which in todays NHL is about 10 bucks, but when the economic bubble bursts, I bet the top 5 on Adam's list are bought out.
Chris Katica (Posted 2008-07-10 19:08:48)
Ryan Malone should be up there too. Im a Pens fan and like the way he plays but he is being payed like a 70 pt player and he isnt even close to that. He put up 51 pts last yr with Malkin, Tampa has nobody close to Malkin (yes im aware of Lecavier).
Jeff (Posted 2008-07-10 19:08:09)
Would Hainsey be overpaid at $4.5M/season in Detroit or Pittsburgh or San Jose? Sure. But, you can't look at every signing purely on salary. You've also got to look at a team's needs and a team's attractiveness to UFA's. Some teams, like the Thrashers, have to overpay to get a UFA's attention. That's the "Losers Fee" that bottom teams are forced to pay in Free Agency. Campbell took less money to play for a competitive team in Chicago, than he could've received in Atlanta. It's the way it works. As a Thrashers' fan, I like the signing and will take a Top 4 Defenseman anyway we can get one. I'm happy to see Atlanta overpay, if necessary, to improve the team. We're certainly not going to improve the team by offering UFA's the same money as the big boys.
B's Fan (Posted 2008-07-10 19:00:12)
I wouldn't worry about the Ryder signing! He will put up around 75-80 pts this year. As long as he is playing with any line he will get those pts. The Bruins have the best passing team in the league but have no one that can shoot until now.
Jared Millman (Posted 2008-07-10 18:44:09)
hmm..someones missing...i just cant put my "Finger" on it
Jeff Kweenswa (Posted 2008-07-10 18:09:05)
HAS EVERYONE FORGOTTEN THE ROZSIVAL SIGNING!?
Joe Dias (Posted 2008-07-10 17:51:08)
Ryder will pot 35 goals playing alongside Savard.... there were alot worse signings than his....
bostongm (Posted 2008-07-10 17:41:45)
Ryder IS over-paid. I thought my initial shock would go away but it hasnt. What was my GM thinking? 4 million for 14 goals? Geez. Who does he think he(Ryder) is? Scott Gomez? Gomez got a fat contract just for scoring 13 goals last season. Hhahahhaha. Unbelievable. This guy better produce or Boston will have a new whipping boy. I'll give him 30 games to prove himself or i'll be the one thats bashing my GM.
Caz (Posted 2008-07-10 17:00:13)
I would put Finger on that list instead of Ryder. The Leafs overpaid and could've had 2 Kurt Sauer's for the same money. I remember a couple years ago, Leaf fans wanted to see McCabe on the Olympic team after his breakout year and know they want him out of town cause he is no loner playing to the level of his salary. Finger has drawn lots of attention with his contract and he will be under the microscope from the start of the season and will have to deal with all the pressure from the fans and media. He will be a decent player but will never live up to the expections that are already put on him. Ryder had back to back 30 goal seasons before getting into Carbonneau's doghouse this year. With a fresh start on the Bruins, I think there's a chance he can get back to that level. If he does, $4 million for a 30 goal scorer won't look that bad.
cwede (Posted 2008-07-10 16:35:49)
This dumping on Redden is absurd, he was just one of a dozen Sens who didn't produce their best after November. He's a low-risk D in his prime who plays lotsa minutes and in all situations. He ain't Lidstrom, but there's only one Lidstrom.
Steve (Posted 2008-07-10 16:27:56)
I like this list, but have a sneaking suspicion, once all is said and done, that the Redden contract is going to end up being considered the worst.
Chris (Posted 2008-07-10 15:59:26)
Rob: You believe that Green and Poti, both of who play top 4 minutes AND don't play defense is superior to Coloardo's defense? The worst defender in Colorado is Liles and he's an average defender. Every other blueliner is above average or better in his own zone (Hannan and Foote in particular). He needs a shot blocking defense around him and guys who are good at clearing rebounds.
Craig (Posted 2008-07-10 15:45:40)
Good list - However, I would make Redden my number 1 choice. As for Finger he does not even register in my top 10. Simply, Finger's contract is just a money deal with no strings attached - if you do not like what he brings to the table you send him down to the farm - if he gets picked up who cares. Toronto is falling over all the money they make each year and if they throw money at a player that turns out to be a bust then oh well.
Rob (Posted 2008-07-10 15:25:47)
Theodore isn't as bad a signing for washington as you allude to. He'll have a good defense (better than in Colorado), and he cost a lot less than Huet. Not only that, he signed for only two years. I'd say Huet for 5.6 MM for 4 years is a lot worse for a team that already has Havibulin (not gonna try on that spelling).
Josh (Posted 2008-07-10 15:09:18)
I agree that these are five of the worse signings this off-season, but I think the Jeff Finger deal has to be listed higher than an honorable mention if not number 1. He is at best a number 4 defensman. In the last two seasons he has played 94 games in the NHL amassing 24 pts. Ron Hainsey has more than that in each of the past two seasons. Finger was benched for half of Colorado's playoff games last year, and while I don't expect Toronto to come even close to the playoffs, when signing a free agent to a large contract you expect them to put up numbers when it counts. Another thing going against Finger is the fact that he is not that young anymore either and the Leafs are clearing a rebuilding team. While he isn't going to retire before his contract ends he is not in the years in which you expect dramatic improvement and maturation every time he steps on the ice either. The last thing going against Finger isn't his fault. It was the Leafs whom he signed with. A team that is in complete disarray and shows no future of which to speak. A team like that needs to compile a mass of young talent whom they can develop and build to the future and then when they are ready to make a run fill in their roster with expensive off season moves, not vice versa.
Max (Posted 2008-07-10 14:52:56)
I agree Ryder should not make close to Sturm, Sturm is more than goals, he's clutch and he has heroics, I didn't know diving got you 4million.
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