James GordonThe 2020-21 season is approaching as fast as no other season in NHL history after the off-season. With a salary ceiling of $82.5 million for the near future – thanks to the impact of COWID-19 on many aspects of the business – the teams have never felt so limited in their ability to meet requirements.
In this exercise we defined the best contracts for each team, i.e. the contracts that give the player the best result per dollar. We’ve also identified the worst – you know what drives the fans and managers into the wall.
Pay attention: This list does not include first level contracts (because they are very valuable for the team). Also not included are players who are in an extensive injury pool. All contract details are kindly provided by CapFriendly.
The best part: John Gibson, 27, G
6.4 million in 2026-27.
Gibson went down in 2019-20, but what didn’t the Duck player do? The goalkeeper has been the saviour of this team in recent seasons, which can at best be described as forgetful. As more and more teams settle in tandem goal rooms, Gibson is a common workhorse, playing 60 games in 2017-18, 57 in 2018-19 and 51 of 71 in 2019-20. Getting this kind of cargo from a man who earns less than 8% of his salary limit is a huge victory, as this team tries to get back on track in no time.
That’s the worst: Cam Fowler, 28, D
6.5 million by 2025-26, no trading clause changed (player submits a four-team trading list).
Ryan Getzlaf, the 35-year-old duck captain, will win $8.25 million this season, the last year of his tenure. In Anaheim, Ryan Kessler is available for another two years at a salary of $6.875 million per season, although Kessler’s career could end because he is stuck in an injury reserve due to a hip injury in 2019. As soon as Anaheim wins these two veteran contracts, there will be some relief to help the team get younger and faster. Right now, the most important issue is the Fowler deal. The defender signed an eight-year contract worth $62 million after his career year of 2017, but since then he seems to have lost his dominance.
The best part: Jakob Chichrun, 22, D
4.6 million in 2024-25.
Chichrun was chosen as number 16 in the 2016 project – an election the coyotes won in exchange for Pavel Datsyuk’s dead contract. Arizona then signed a six-year contract with Chichroon worth $27.6 million in 2018. It’s a good price for a defender who’s just starting his best years. Chichrun had the best offensive season 2019-20 (12 goals and 26 points in 63 games) and took third place in the team’s average ice time (22:26). Coyotes always expect more from a 22-year-old, but there’s no reason to think he won’t make it.
That’s the worst: Phil Kessel, 33, RW
6.8 million from 2021 to 2021-22, has not changed any exchange clause (the player submits an eight-man exchange list).
Coyotes were exchanged for boilers in 2019 in the hope that this would take the franchise to new heights. In Phil’s career so far, he has made unrealistic numbers, won championships and made a lot of money, said coach Rick Tokchet in an interview with ESPN in 2019. Now it comes down to an organization that has been trying to find its way all these years. We’re trying to turn the corner. Phil comes here, and if he can improve this team, look at his legacy. It’s gonna explode. However, Kessel’s first season in the desert was not a memorable one (14 goals in 70 games, the sixth of the team), which made his contract much less desirable.
The best part: David Pastrnack, 24 years old, 6.66 million RWt in 2022-23.
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In recent seasons, Brad Marshand has had the best deal with the team – and it is claimed that the troublesome winger (whose offensive production is often overlooked in his campaign methods) still does. At 32 years old and still as powerful as ever, Marchand costs only $6.125 million compared to the 2024-25 limit. However, the winner here is Pastrenak, whose salary is a total theft since he scored 48 goals for the Richard Alexey Ovechkin Rocket Cup last season.
That’s the worst: David Cracie, 34, C
7.25 million, has amended the ban (must have a list of at least 50% of the teams he accepts the deal).
The Bruins have a tradition of players who – perhaps inspired by Tom Brady – are less part of a winning culture. That’s why it’s so hard to find a bad contract on this team. Star players such as Patrice Bergeron, Marshan and Toray Circle have long been below the market price. (That’s why Circle left Boston in low season; he wanted to be paid for it). In this case, 34-year-old David Crucie is the highest paid player on the team – $7.25 million. It’s not perfect, but it’s not great, because it’s still undervalued. We had to vote here.
The best part: Rasmus Ristolainen, 26, D
5.4 million in 2021-22.
In recent years the name Rasmus Ristolainen has appeared quite often in the shopping area. But despite the upheavals of that period in terms of training and management, Sabres retains a 26-year-old defender, partly because he offers enormous value as an insider, as a meticulous defender at an incredibly low price. Since 2015, Ristolainen ranks eighth in the NHL in terms of average ice age (25:11). Six active players before him (Drew Douty, Ryan Suther, Eric Karlsson, Brent Burns and Roman Josie) each earned at least 7 million dollars.
That’s the worst: Jeff Skinner, LW
9 million, breakthrough to 2026-27, mark zero.
That’s what we call an impulse signature – and it’s one of the most important steps that cost former CEO Jason Botterill his job. Buffalo had a warm start to the 2018-19 season and the star of the breakthrough was recently acquired winger Skinner, who looked like a long-distance Jack Eichel with 40 shots. Although the Sabres missed the playoffs, they rewarded Skinner with a 72 million dollar contract. No luck so far. Last season Skinner took a big step back by scoring only 14 goals and 9 assists in 59 games.
The best part: Elias Lindholm, 25 years old, resolution C/RW
4.85 million in 2023-24.
Lindholm, who led the Fire last season with 29 goals, is a poorly rated star. He works with Johnny Godreaux and Sean Monahan at the head of Calgary, but earns $1.5 million less than Monahan and nearly $2 million less than Godreaux. Lindholm’s success makes you think about how you can bring the coming season back to a natural intermediate position. Wherever he plays, the fact that Lindholm was obsessed with this rhythm during his 28-year season should give you a taste of Calgary.
That’s the worst: Milan Lucic, 32 years old, LW
LW 5.25 million to 2022-23, non-movement clause
Lucy signed a seven-year contract with Oilers in 2016, worth $6 million, and it was a disaster almost from the start. Three memorable seasons in Edmonton later, Lucy was sold to the Calgary division rival, who competed with another inferior veteran, James Neal. No wonder Lucy didn’t magically transform overnight, but it offered the same value on the ice as the sticker. It will be difficult for the fire to fire Lucique because it has a no-movement clause.
The best part: Jacob Slavin, 26 years old, D
$5.3 million in 2024-25.
If Slavin had come on the market this summer, he would probably have had $7 to $8 million at his disposal. He scored at least 30 points for four consecutive seasons with big minutes under his belt (last season he led Keynes in the 23-24 average ice time) and led the team in block shots (107). He also led the whole competition with 81 starts. Slavin is the real number one defender of this deal. Carolina signed this seven-year contract for $37.1 million when he was 23 years old, and every day since then things have been going better.
That’s the worst: Jake Gardiner, 30, D
4.05 million. In the period 2022 to 2022-23, the amended trade prohibition clause (list of seven groups).
In Toronto Gardiner played eight seasons in the spotlight, which he didn’t like. In 2019 he chose Caines to join a free agency, hoping that a quieter environment would help him find his game. The first season didn’t go smoothly: Gardiner often lost on defense and gave a long throw to the team with the worst plus or minus. Last season Gardiner got minus 24, his next teammate got minus 7. Carolina would not hesitate to sever her ties with Gardiner to allow younger players to play, but there are not many teams that would be willing to accept this contract.
The best part: Duncan Keith, 37 years old, D $5,538 million to 2022-23, non-movement clause.
It’s rare to find a 37-year-old player on the list of top contracts, but Keith’s $72 million, 13-year contract signed in 2009 (the best contract in the team’s history) worked very well. Keith is a training fanatic and keeps his body in an incredible shape that allows him to stay neck to neck for 24 minutes per match. He may not be the elite defender who has been at the top of the team, but he still plays a tough game. Blue Line’s contracts have grown rapidly since 2009, with Eric Karlsson and Drew Douty earning about double Keith’s salary.
That’s the worst: Brent Seabrook, 35, D
6.8 million until 2023-24, no movement clause.
Seabrook, 35, is a valuable leader in the Blackhawks locker room, but there is no doubt that he will fall, and some of his defensive mistakes have angered Chicago fans. Next season seems extremely frightening, as Blackhawks has promised to rejuvenate, while Sibrooke returns from three major operations (on his hip and right shoulder) that he had postponed to a period of five weeks for 2020. The situation may lead to Seabrook leaving, but because he is not moving, he deserves the right to stay if he wants to. The end of his life in Chicago can be ugly.
The best part: Nathan McKinnon, 24, C
$6.3 million by 2022-23.
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In the past weeks we have congratulated Joe Sakich on winning the off-season, this time with a little cheating. However, Colorado GM’s most recent success dates back to 2016, when it forced MacKinnon to accept a seven-year contract for $44.1 million, which proved very successful for the team. Simple and clear: It’s the best contract in the league. McKinnon is in 94th place in the NHL in terms of the number of shots, even though he is the top player in the top three. The Centre said it did not regret the agreement and that it would allow its team to remain competitive, but that it would be massively overloaded in the next contract.
That’s the worst: Jonas Donskoye, 28.RW 3.9 million. USA until 2022-23.
It’s not so bad for a contract, but Sakicha’s list is so well drawn up that we have to decide to find the worst. The avalanche needed a second loan before last season – especially given the pressure McKinnon was under – and may have paid a little too much for Donska, the former San Jose Shark, in a free agency. It’s not a terrible signature either, but for the third row forward, which scored 33 points in the first season of the team, it’s not a great value. Despite the fact that the avalanche hasn’t been too intense lately, they will have to give new contracts to Kale Makar and Gabriel Landescog in the next post-season and will probably pay for the goalkeeper.
The best part: Seth Jones, 235.4 million in 2021-22.
Of all the players on this list, Jones is ranked as the best deal in the league immediately after MacKinnon. Jones is in his best years, a future winner and defender of the Norris Trophy, and plays alongside Zack Verensky in one of the best – and cheapest – league pairs. Virensky himself earned only $5 million a season until he reached an open agency with limited access in 2022. Then Jones becomes a member of the UFA and we can say that in the next agreement he can earn twice his current salary.
That’s the worst: Brandon Dubinsky, 34
$5.85 million. United States until 2020-21, Trade Ban Amendment (list of 10 persons)
Unfortunately, Dubinsky probably played his last game in the NHL. The 34-year-old, who played long before the New York Rangers, didn’t play at all last season and will have his career interrupted due to a chronic wrist injury. The Blue Jackets have options for the final year of the Dubinsky deal. General Jarmo Keckalainen could put Dubinsky in a long-term injury reserve or trade him for a team that wants to get into baseball, or Christopher Columbus could eat his salary. This may depend on whether or not the team works within the internal wage limit this season.
The best part: John Klingberg, 28, D
$4.25 million in 2021-22.
Lately, the stars have been working on a very expensive case. They offered Tyler Segwin an eight-year contract worth $78.8 million, attracted Joe Paulski for three years at a price of $7 million a year and produced other free flavors. Their two best defenders are a newcomer to his company (Miro Heiskanen) and a 28-year-old (Klingberg), who earns about half of his market price. The similarities between the two players develop in one and two years respectively.
That’s the worst: Jamie Benn, 31, LW
LW 9.5 million. 2024-25 USD, no movement clause.
Just four years ago, Benn took third place in the Heart Trophy and we talked about him as the top three wings in the league. But in the last three seasons, his points have dropped to 39 in 69 games last season. Benn (and Seguin) is the celebrity who endured the wrath of team chairman Jim Lights in 2018, who tore his two highest-paid players apart in indecent tirades for not getting better results. Benn has created an enormous value in the season after 2020; can he take this with him to the next season (and four after that)?
The best part: Dylan Larkin 24, C
$6.1 million in 2022-23.
The Red Wings were soil improvers last season because they are in full reset mode. Steve Itzerman essentially tries to build a winner out of nothing, although the top line of Larkin, Anthony Manta and Tyler Bertuzzi (all 26 and younger) is worth building around. The best is Larkin, the fire escape and probably the next captain of this crew (he currently carries the letter A). That your number one in the middle counted about $6 million against the ceiling is a coup d’état in today’s NHL.
That’s the worst: France Nielsen 36, C
5.25 million to 2021-22.
For most of the decade, the Red Wings have signed inflated and outdated contracts – after 25 consecutive play-offs. Ken Holland passed the torch to Ezerman, who slowly cleaned up (and waited) for a paycheck. The last major book contract belongs to Henrik Zetterberg, who has not played since 2017-18, but in the last year of his twelve-year extension of the $73 million contract signed in 2009. Since Zetterberg is in the LTIR, our choice went to Nielsen, who scored only four goals and five assists in 60 games last season, reduced his average playing time on the ice to 13:41 and signed up for two more seasons.
The best part: Tyson Barry, 29, D
$3.75 million by 2020-21
Last season in Toronto, Barry earned $5.5 million (in an originally made deal with Avalanche). But that summer Barry decided to take less money and less time as a freelancer because he saw a good opportunity at Oilers. Edmonton’s not complaining. Barry is a legitimate quaternary that can promote the game with the push of a button, while the quaternary can promote an already powerful power game. The fact that Darnell Nurses’ top two defencemen will only earn $5.6 million over the next two years is also a victory for Edmonton. If Kyle Terris reopens his game, it will be the team’s biggest deal for only $1.65 million for each of the next two seasons.
That’s the worst: James Neal, 33 years old, RWt$5.75 million by 2022-23.
The Flames and Oilers made a rare bargain in the competition when they exchanged the Nile for the Lucic of Milan in 2019; the idea was that the two veterans of the game would fight it out and enjoy the change of scenery. Neil played much better in Edmonton – he seems to have found his game when he found Dave Tippet – but his contract is still too rich for what he delivers and it looks like he’s actually dropped to third place. Neil has also not played the entire 82 season since 2015-16, so his ability to stay healthy is a cause for concern.
The best part: Alexander Barkov, 25, C
. $5.9 million, penetration 2021-22, non-movement clause.
For a while Barkov was recognized by his colleagues as the most underestimated player in the league. We now appreciate the size of the power station No.1 – it is very skilful, can outsmart opponents and play a reliable defense. He’s one of the lowest paid players in the league. The presence of the number one center, which earned less than $6 million, has allowed the Panthers to make large fluctuations in a free agency (e.g. Sergei Bobrovsky) and add to the average level (e.g. Mike Hoffman last season or Anton Stralman – $5.5 million), although these measures have not yet led to a stable success.
That’s the worst: Sergei Bobrovsky, G, 32
$10 million to 2025-26, travel ban clause.
When Bobrowski, the two-time winner of the Vezin Trophy, broke with the Blue Jackets in 2019, Florida signed a seven-year contract worth $70 million. This contract has been viewed with scepticism since it was signed. A seven-year term and a position without movement seems risky for the goalkeeper, especially for someone over 30 with a mixed record in the play-offs. The first season in Florida was a tough one for Bobrowski, who had the worst savings rate (900) in nine seasons and the worst goal average in his career (3.23). He’s gonna try to come back this season.
The best part: Sean Walker, 26, D
2.65 million in 2023-24.
He’s not really known, as Walker is entering his third NHL season and has been playing for the memorable King’s teams for the past two seasons. He’s still a useful right-wing defender with many promises… …and values. Walker has played the best team of penalty shooters, he sees the playing time and generally plays well. For everything he proposes, his contract is extremely reasonable, especially in view of the fact that it is supposed to improve.
That’s the worst: Drew Douty, 30 years old, D11 million to 2026-27, non-refundable.
Drew Douty is defense attorney number one? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Is he still one of the best goalkeepers in the league? Also, yes. But that doesn’t mean his contract means anything to this team. Douty is the fifth biggest hit in the baseball league and the second most popular among the debutants for the team that was a baseball hit parade last season. Unfortunately, the kings are in recovery mode, wasting the last years of Douty’s heyday. His contract runs until the 37-year season. The Kings have one of the most promising groups in the NHL, so they can make a difference in the coming seasons, but Douty will probably be on the back foot of his career by then.
The best part: Kevin Fiala, 24 years old, RWt$3 million by 2020-21.
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Fiala was on the verge of bankruptcy when the Predators quickly abandoned their former Top 15 design until the age of 23. This new start has worked miracles, as have last season’s coaching changes, which have taken Fiala to new heights. In the last three months of the season, Fiala played point for point, flourished on the system of Dean Evason and shone with a few throwing goals. This contract now looks like a robbery on the winged tip. But Fiala should get a new – and maybe even a huge – increase in the next low season.
That’s the worst: Mats Zuccarello, 33 years old, RW
USD 6 million until 2023-24, no movement clause.
By the time this contract was handed over, it was like a mistake. It’s not about hitting the players, but to see how popular Zuccarello was as a New York Ranger when he led the team with four goals. But the wilderness had to be rebuilt and rejuvenated, and instead GM Paul Fenton offered a 32-year-old child a five-year contract with a nonrenewal clause. Zuccarello fought in his first season in Minnesota (37 points in 65 games) and his contract will always be tied to the eccentric Fenton, who has been leading the team for 14 months.
The best part: Phillip Dano, 27, C
3.083 million in 2020-21.
Dano is the top scorer of the Canadian 5×5 team and he doesn’t mind. 1 central point. The last two seasons he was in the top 10 of the Selke-Trophy rankings. It’s unbelievable to have a player of this calibre who has only earned $3.083 million (less than 4% of the team’s equity). Dano’s partner Brendan Gallagher could have the best deal of the 2020-21 season, although as the heart and soul of the leader he earns only $3.75 million. However, Mr Gallagher had agreed to a six-year extension for the period 2021-22, yielding $6.5 million a year.
That’s the worst: Cary Price, 33, G
$10.5 million to 2025-26, non-movement clause
The award is still one of the most respected goaltenders in the competition, but it probably reached its peak at 33 years of age. He may be able to play at elite level for a few more years, but his cap-hit and term (the contract runs until his 38th birthday this season) is pretty rich, especially since Montreal felt the need to buy a very good veteran baggage from Jake Allen. Between Price and Allen, Canadians are spending nearly $15 million this season on goaltending skills, which is definitely the highest amount in the league. As far as the Golden Knights are concerned, second place is taken with 3 million less.
The best part: Victor Arvidsson, 27, LW
4.25 million LW in 2023-24.
The winger comes out of a bad season (only 28 points in 57 games, an ice age break), but there is no reason to believe that the fast Swede will not get back on his feet. If he does, he will continue to make one of the best team deals in the league. Over $4 million is an incredible deal for a player who has scored 30 points three seasons in a row, including 34 goals in 2018-19, the franchise season’s record (wild but true!).
That’s the worst: Matt Duchenne, 29, C
8 million in 2025-26.
Duchenne and Nashville had long had a rumor about the game, so it seemed a fait accompli when a free agent signed a seven-year, $56 million contract with the Predators in 2019 to become their long-awaited long-term center No. 2. Part of the problem is that it’s too much money to drive on the 2. center. The other part is the huge overpayment for what Duchenne delivered. In his 11-year career, he scored only 30 goals or 70 points twice and was not completely excited in his first season on Broadway: In 66 games he scored only 13 goals and 42 points.
The best part: Kyle Palmieri, 29, R, $4.65 million. For the period up to 2020-21, a limited trade ban clause (a list of eight groups) is in force.
If the devils were to call a captain this season, Palmieri would be a good choice. He has great value as a leader and is also the most consistent producer on the team since his arrival in 2015-16. Palmieri has scored 249 points in the past five seasons; the next devil artist is now Travis Zajac (184 points). This summer Palmieri will be the UFA, and the devils have not yet made much progress with the new agreement. Because the devils don’t expect them to be competitive this season, Palmieri will be nominated as a commercial candidate.
That’s the worst: P.K. Subban, 31, $9 million by 2021-22.
When the Devils traded in the 2019 NHL draft for Subban, they wanted to do everything they could to get the 1. We hope to win a spot in the lottery and hope for a big rush for the next free Taylor Hall agency. Subbank must make Starpower the real number one defender and help the demons win the game immediately. Unfortunately, the team stank, the room was full and the coach and GM were fired. Meanwhile, Sabban is not the same figure skater he was when he won the Norris Cup in 2013. His contract doesn’t look good for a team that’s building up.
The best part: Scott Mayfield, 28, D
1.45 million in 2022-23.
Mayfield is a long (1.80m), aggressive and reliable right defender who brings good minutes for the second pair, and he seems to flourish in the Barry Pride system. The islanders signed a five-year contract with Mayfield worth $7.25 million in 2018, six months before Mayfield was hit by a restricted free agency. It was a cunning deal from former GM Garth Snow, although it was one of Snow’s last big steps before he was fired.
That’s the worst: Andrew Ladd, 34, LW
$5.5 million. The list contains a modified no trade clause (a list of 15 teams).
The islanders on salary are tied for this off-season, who still need space in their hats to tie limited free agent Matthew Barzal to a new (wealthy) company. One of the GM players that Lou Lamoriello would like to move is Ladd, who was often a healthy player in the Toronto Bubble Islanders’ race. Laedd has no commercial value because he lost a lot of time due to a back injury and tore the cruciate ligaments in both knees. More than that: Buying Ladd doesn’t make sense because he has already received his $3 million bonus for the next season, as well as $29.5 million of the $38.5 million he owes his company.
The best part: Mika Zibanajad, 27, C
5.35 million in 2021-22.
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Rangers have experienced such a rotation over the past two seasons that Zibanezhad is now considered one of the team’s leading statesmen. He’s the perfect player to take New York from one era to another, and after a career last season – in which he scored 41 goals in 57 games – it’s clear he can be number one in this league. Star #1 centers tend to earn far more than $5.35 million, which Zibanezhad earned in the next two seasons (end of five years, $26,750,000 expansion in ink in 2017).
That’s the worst: Brendan Smith, 31 years old, D
4.35 million in 2020-21, Trade Ban Amendment (list of 10 persons).
Smith joined Red Wings Rangers in 2017 and ended up in the fan base with a stunning run right after the end of the season. He then signed a four-year contract with the club for $17.4 million. His first full season with the team was a disaster, the team did not play well, as did Smith, who was not called when he refused. But Smith restarted his career after doing everything he could – he played both sides of the defense and was even equipped all the way to the flank. While versatility is valuable, such significant changes have prevented Smith from becoming a real success.
The best part: Colin White, 23, C
$4.75 million in 2024-25.
White is a young center and fought back last season after a promising 41-point season for the debutants. However, his contract is important for the senators, a team that after their defeat in the final of the Eastern Conference of 2017 has run at a furious pace. When the whites joined West Germany in 2019, the people of Massachusetts accepted a six-year contract, the longest the club has offered since Bobby Ryan in 2014. He sent a message to the other young players in the organization: Ottawa may not win now, but it’s a place where you can believe in the future.
That’s the worst: Nikita Zaitsev, 29, D
$4.5 million until 2023-24, Trade Ban Amendment (list of 10 persons).
In his first season with the senators living downstairs, Zaitsev spent many minutes (22:09 for the game, second in the team) and played some difficult minutes (from his zone 56.1% of the time), but he’s still not the type to fill in with his top pair – and his contract is not the kind you want on the account because it’s not easy to transfer him. Senators are also in the final year of Marian Gaborik’s term. The 38-year-old hasn’t played in two years and still has $4,875 million on him this season. According to Postmedia, however, about 80 percent of Gaborik’s salary is insured, which owner Eugene Melnik doesn’t cost that much.
The best part: Travis Final, 23, RW
$5.5 million in 2024-25.
If you don’t know his name, get to know him, because this 23-year-old is a rising star on the flyers. Home Talent (24th in the 2015 design championship) has improved its points in each of the first four seasons in Philadelphia, including 61 points in 66 races last season. The Flyers have signed a six-year contract with Konency for a total of $33 million in 2019, and we believe it will be one of the best league deals ever.
That’s the worst: James van Riemesdijk, 31, LW
7 million in 2022-23.
Van Riemsdyk, an old fan, has again subscribed to the Flyers on the eve of the 2018-19 season. However, his second life can be characterized as a schism. Over the past two seasons it has become hot and cold, with new lows such as the occasional healthy scratching in the post-2020 season. A 31-year-old boy will be looking for a break and there’s a chance he can be more productive because his injuries prevented him from doing so last season. Otherwise, the $7 million he owes for each of the next three seasons could be a big problem.
The best part: Brian Rast, 28, RWt$3.5 million by 2021-22.
Since he became a regular customer of the Penguins four years ago, Rast finished sixth in the team with 73 goals scored at that time. He proved his worth especially last season when Pittsburgh was seriously injured. Rust helped the Penguins save the playoff and scored 27 goals in 55 games. However, his $3.5 million strike (less than 5 percent of the team’s total expenditure) is a total theft when he enters the second half of a four-year contract he signed in 2018.
That’s the worst: Michael Matheson, 26, D
$4,875 million by 2025-26.
It’s crazy to think about, but the player the Penguins have spent most of their time with is Matheson, who joined them out of season, with whom he didn’t do very well. The pens hope they can help rehabilitate Matheson’s career and exchange for him 33-year-old Patrick Hornquist (who owed $5.3 million until 2022-23), with whom they had a contract they no longer wanted. Matheson has decided to work as a third couple in Pittsburgh.
The best part: Thomas Hurtle, 27, C
5.625 million. The list includes an amended trade prohibition clause (list of three persons).
Over the past five seasons, Hertl has finished third among the Sharks (followed only by Joe Paulsky and Logan Couture) with 104 goals and fifth in terms of points (224), making his salary of less than $6 million a year particularly attractive. Gertle signed his current four-year extension for the 2018-19 season and it was wise of GM Doug Wilson to bring the popular Czech to his peak.
That’s the worst: Marc-Edouard Vlasic, 33 years,
7 million D until 2025-26, non-displacement clause
In 2017, the Sharks signed an agreement to extend the contract by eight years, for 56 million dollars, and only three years, which can be a shadow of regret. Vlasichu is 33 years old and in decline, but his contract runs until 2026, when he will be 38 years old. The real problem is that the fate of sharks has changed dramatically over the past three seasons. Maybe San Jose is now looking for a perestroika regime – or ideally a flying perestroika – but it is very difficult if Vlasik, Eric Karlsson ($11.5 million, pierced in 2026-27) and Brent Burns ($8 million, pierced in 2024-25) are so well paid.
The best part: Colton Paraiko, 27, D
$5.5 million in 2021-22.
The Blues separated from Captain Alex Pietrangelo in the off-season and left Paraiko as the new defender for the No.1 team, St. Louis got an incredible value at this stage of the Paraico contract, a five-year contract for $27.5 million, which he signed in 2017 by terminating the contract. It seems that Paraiko is improving from season to season and will play 23 minutes per game in 2019-20. David Perron, who has scored 48 goals in the past two seasons, receives the honourable mention that he has been locked up for only $4 million a season for two more years.
That’s the worst: Justin Falk, 28 years old, D
$6.5 million contract to 2026-27, non-marketing clause.
The folk was bought by the blues before the beginning of last season, and he played again in the last year of his contract, which originally included the Hurricanes. But after the deal, he signed a seven-year, $45.5 million extension that will begin this season. Faulk’s first season in St. Louis was not without challenges. Normally a consistent forward, he scored only 16 points in 69 games and didn’t seem to be completely dominant in defense. Moreover, the expansion of the People made it impossible for Pietrangelo to resign with St. Peter. Louis, and it all ended in a messy separation between the former captain and the club.
The best part: Braden Point, 24, C
$6.75 million by 2021-22.
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The hockey world knew the value of Braden Point (especially after the 41st season 2018-19), but the 24-year-old became a star in the race for the 2020 Stanley Cup. He was one of the main reasons Lightning didn’t miss a single shot in the game without his captain Stephen Stamcos. A point is a point, but GM Julien Breeze Brothers knows it has a big day ahead of it in two seasons, which means Tampa Bay is going through a pay crisis in the off-season that won’t get any easier.
That’s the worst: Tyler Johnson, 30, RW
$5 million in 2023-24.
Johnson is a popular and tough player, and in many other teams this contract may not be so bad. But it itches like lightning to lose a salary (a common symptom after the Stanley Cup), and Johnson is considered a strange person. When Johnson could not be traded to Tampa Bay in October, he was released, but none of the other 30 teams took him on. Because who wants to help the defending champion?
The best part: Morgan Riley, 26, D
5 million from 2021 to 2021-22, amended non-commercial clause (non-commercial list of 10 persons).
The Leafs are the only team in the league where three players (Austin Matthews, Mitch Marner and John Tavares) earn at least $10 million a year. By combining their salaries with William Neelander’s ($6.9 million), Toronto tied more than $40 million – almost half its salary limit – to the four strikers. One should not underestimate the importance for the defender of the No. 1 team to earn $5 million a year, which is far below market value for a man who eats a ton of minutes in all situations and performs well in the playoffs (16 points in 25 career games).
That’s the worst: John Tavares, 30 years, C
$11 million by 2024-25, non-movement clause.
For Tavares fans, the most important thing is that he’s 30 years old, has been playing in the league for 11 seasons and still hasn’t scored 90 points – or led the team to the long playoffs. Of course, not all the disadvantages of the Islanders and Maple Leaves season fall on one player, but the captain has to deal with that pressure. Toronto is rebuilding and adding deep chambers around the Big Three, hoping to finally overcome the drought of the Stanley Cup, which has reached its highest point in the league in 52 years.
The best part: Bo Horvath, C, $255.5 million by 2022-23.
The 2020 play-offs were like a weekend of celebration for Horvath, the young Kanax captain, who so far has only reached his upper limit in the NHL. With 10 goals in 17 games this summer and a healthy defense, Horvath has started to compare himself to the young Jonathan Tewes, as Kanax resembles the Blackhawks, who will soon play for three Stanley Cups. For the Canucks, Horvath has been very consistent with at least 20 goals in each of the last four seasons and 120 in 446 general matches in six seasons.
That’s the worst: Louis Ericsson, 35 years old, LW
6 million LW from 2021 to 2021-22, modified non-trade clause (15 Non-trade list command)
The blow on Vancouver’s GM Jim Benning is that Kanaki was very well prepared under his leadership, but he gave some pretty awful free agent contracts. One of the worst things in Benning’s life is Ericsson. The six-year agreement was signed in 2016 and Eriksson never reached its value. He is a reserve striker who scored only 38 goals in Vancouver in 245 games in four seasons. Ericsson scored 30 goals during the season in Boston before signing with the Canucks.
The best part: Shea Theodore, 25, D
$5.2 million by 2024-25.
Before the Golden Knights signed Alex Pietrangelo, Theodore was the real number one defender – and he was brilliant, especially last season. He is still one of the best microphones for the Golden Knights expansion (while his former team, the Duck, deteriorates every year), and this budget contract is booming. In first place is Chandler Stevenson, who sits like a glove after being traded by Washington for the best hockey game of his career (doubling his best score per game). Stevenson, 26 years old, locked up until 2024 for $2.75 million. In addition, Alex Touch’s 24-year contract ($4.75 million until 2026) may very well age if he remains healthy.
That’s the worst: Marc-André Fleury, 35 years old, G
.7 million USD from 2021 to 2021-22, modified non-exchange clause (non-exchange list for 10 teams)
Life happens to you fast in Vegas. For the first two and a half years of the Golden Knights’ existence, Fleury was the face of the franchise, a community favorite with a major stake on the ice, carrying a heavy burden for the starters as the team never relied on their replacement goaltenders. Then Las Vegas left, swapped for Robin Lenera and hired a new coach from Peter DeBoer, and suddenly Fleury was recognized as a replacement. The only problem: No other team in the league wants to take over this contract. As the Golden Knights start the season with perhaps the best goalkeeper tandem in the league, they would not hesitate to unload Fleary for future flexibility.
The best part: Henrik Lundquist, 38, G
$1.5 million by 2020-21.
When Washington decided to separate from Braden Holtby, GM Brian MacLellan wanted to use veteran reinforcements to help Ilya Samsonov make the transition to today’s race. Then Lundqvist, an old rival of the Caps, became available thanks to a takeover by the Rangers. Suddenly McLellan changes his number and says Samsonov and Lundquist could be 1A and 1B next season. If so, $1.5 million is a huge value, especially considering that Lundqvist is expected to earn $8.5 million in New York City this season.
That’s the worst: T.J. Oshi, 33, RW
5.75 million. U.S. dollar to 2024-25, amended non-marketing clause (15 teams on the non-marketing list this season, 10 teams on the non-marketing list for the last four seasons).
There is no doubt that Oshi is Washington’s favorite player and tends to score exciting goals. But the duration of this agreement is unfortunate, because when it expires, the wing will have reached 37 years. The agreement, which runs for eight years, was concluded in 2017. As capitals eventually have to move to a younger level, many suggestions suggest that the Oshis could be a candidate for expansion in the Seattle Kraken. The Oshes, who grew up in nearby Everett, Washington, could be the original face of the Kraken franchise.
The best part: Mark Scheifele, 27, C
6.125 million in 2023-24.
General Manager Kevin Chaveldayoff has had several difficult off-seasons lately. He has had to deal with many difficult to draw tenders (such as Patrick Lane’s) and has sailed the wild blue line in the last low season. The only thing he never had to worry about was his first place in the center, as Saifel signed a contract for only $6 million for four (!) seasons. If the Saifel were to enter the market in this low season, it would cost at least 9 million dollars. Second place goes to Connor Hellbake, the current owner of the Vesina Trophy, who will only earn $6.16 million between 2023 and 24 years of age.
That’s the worst: Brian Little, 33, C
5.3 million. 2023 to 24 years old, modified trade ban clause (trade list ban for 14 groups).
Doctors have recommended that the baby be left behind this season while recovering from the perforated eardrum. The injury (he was hit by a shot) has put the veterans in the lead in all but seven games of the past season. In the long run he is likely to get hurt, but his future with the club in the long run is unclear. His absence has forced the jets to accept another quite expensive contract this season: Paul Stastney, who earns $6.5 million on a contract from the Golden Knights.
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