Worst contract in the league

[Cali Panthers Fan]

In an offshoot from the V=NG thread discussing Myers terrible contract and how he's viewed as one of the worst values in the league, I immediately thought of this contract that was signed just over a year ago:

Jeff Skinner: Signed an 8 year $9 million AAV deal with Buffalo. In his first year he had 14 goals and 23 points in 59 games, to go along with a -22 (his fourth season with a +/- well into the minus 20s). He is slated to start the year on Buffalo's 4th line as per camp reports. 7 more years to go with an AAV that cripples your chances of forming a decent roster.

Just as a reminder, he has a higher AAV than Draisaitl, Crosby, Stamkos, Aho, and Taylor Hall (who signed a year later to the same team on a short term deal which should then have a much higher AAV).

It's amazing that Botterill found another job after being let go from the Sabres.


Now for all of you. Propose your worst contract in the league with arguments and rationale.

[YYC in LAX]

Lucic

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by YYC in LAX

Lucic

And your argument?

[OutOfTheCube]

Bobrovsky is easily the worst contract in the league. $10 million a year for another 6 years at the most important position and he's already replacement level.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by OutOfTheCube

Bobrovsky is easily the worst contract in the league. $10 million a year for another 6 years at the most important position and he's already replacement level.

I will grant this if he doesn't bounce back somewhat this year. He's had down years in the past and came back with relatively strong campaigns.

My concern is I read some analysis that Florida's defensive system creates the kinds of chances he doesn't do well with, and that Columbus' system gave up the types of shots that he does a good job at stopping. If that doesn't change this year as well, then yes, probably one of the top 2 or 3 worst contracts.

Still not the worst for me though.

[VilleN]

I have to agree, Skinner is the worst IMO... Lucic doesn't even touch it. His contract is bad, but he is a useful player so you're at least getting some value. It's also a lot less money for a lot less term.

[ComixZone]

James Neal, Loui Eriksson, Drew Doughty, Sergei Bobrovsky, Erik Karlsson, Jeff Skinner, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Marc Edouard-Vlasic all have contracts worse than the Milan Lucic contract - but I’d probably put Jeff Skinner as the worst contract in the league. A $9M 4th line winger, with Drew “replacement level” Doughty right up there, ditto with Sergei Bobrovsky.

[Johnny Makarov]

Skinner by a mile.

and then Carey Price.

[VilleN]

Originally Posted by Johnny Makarov

Skinner by a mile.

and then Carey Price.

How is Carey Price's contract worse than Bob's? He's still a great goalie.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Vlasic and Seabrook

[FlamesFanFromBC]

Would you rather gave Lucic & Ryan $8.4M or Skinner $9M in your lineup?

[Jables16]

I'll defend Botterill to the extent that he supposedly had that contract foisted upon him. I feel like I've seen a few different sources saying that there was a mandate from ownership to keep Skinner, those were his demands, and Botterill's hands were somewhat tied. It is probably the worst contract though, there's no getting around that.

San Jose's contracts on defense are shockingly bad though:

- Karlsson / 30 years old / 11.5 million x 7 years remaining / full NMC
- Burns / 35 years old / 8 million x 5 years / modified-NTC
- Vlasic / 33 years old / 7 million x 7 years / full NMC

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by FlamesFanFromBC

Would you rather gave Lucic & Ryan $8.4M or Skinner $9M in your lineup?

Well the big difference there is term. Even if Skinner bounces back (only 1 year removed from 40 goals and he is still only 28) his contract still a nightmare. And at least Lucic and Ryan fill two roster spots for that money.

[Enoch Root]

Lots of good candidates listed already.

Why Lucic's contract is NOT the worst (not even close IMO):

1) He costs the Flames $5.75M. While that is obviously more than he is currently worth, it is not in the same ballpark as the $9M and $10M fiascos

2) there are only 3 years left

When looking at the worst contracts, I think you need 3 things:
1) crappy player
2) huge cap hit
3) for lots of term

And Lucic's $5.75M for 3 more years just isn't that material compared to some others.

The fact that he has resurrected himself somewhat, to be at least a functioning bottom 6 player, is an added bonus to the argument.

[cannon7]

Has Vlasic dropped off that much?

[bax]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Well the big difference there is term. Even if Skinner bounces back (only 1 year removed from 40 goals and he is still only 28) his contract still a nightmare. And at least Lucic and Ryan fill two roster spots for that money.

Ryan years remaining - 1
Lucic years remaining - 3

Skinner years remaining - 7

Yikes

[Enoch Root]

Buffalo will pay Skinner $63M over the next 7 seasons

Calgary will pay Lucic $16.25M over the next 3 seasons

Which one is more debilitating?

[iloveicedhockey]

Can we add the retained amount to James Neal's contract?

[You Need a Thneed]

Lucic isn’t even top 10 worst contracts in the league, and you lose credibility very fast if you argue for it.

There’s several players out there that 1) provide less on the ice, 2) get paid more money per year, and 3) have longer terms remaining.

[TheIronMaiden]

Just because Lucic is the worst contract on the Flames doesn't make him the worst in the league.