Funds Burdens: The 5 NHL gamers offering the least worth

At one level, Brent Seabrook was a prime participant within the NHL, a gold medalist on the 2014 Olympics who performed a significant position in three Stanley Cup championships for the Chicago Blackhawks. The large 6-foot-Three, 220-pound defenseman might management the play in his personal zone with out wrestle, and whereas he was by no means an elite offensive defenseman, he was at all times able to placing factors on the board. The Hawks rewarded Seabrook for that, signing him to an eight-year deal in 2015-16 at an AAV of $6.875 million on the age of 30.
If historical past has taught us something, although, it’s that long-term offers for gamers of their 30s merely don’t work out, and Seabrook’s has been no completely different.
By way of the primary a number of weeks of the season – and a few would argue courting again past that – Seabrook’s efficiency barely resembles what it did a decade in the past. Made a wholesome scratch twice already this season, the 34-year-0ld is now not a premier shutdown defender, his lack of pace has develop into a problem and what offensive skill he did have has all however vanished. It was once that Seabrook was good for a mid-30s level complete, however that’s not fairly the case. When he scored Saturday, it marked his second objective (and level) of the marketing campaign, and so far as bang for his or her buck, the Hawks actually aren’t getting any with Seabrook. Proper now, Seabrook’s cost-per-point is greater than $Three.four million.
Final week, we took a have a look at the most effective funds booms within the NHL. This week, we do the other, discovering the gamers who’ve been a drag on the underside line. So as to take action, we’ve restricted the checklist to gamers who’re on normal, non-entry-level contracts, have performed at the least 10 video games and recorded at the least two factors.
Marc Staal, D (NY Rangers – $5.7 million AAV)There was a time when Staal was a pacesetter on the Rangers’ blue line. Not anymore. Earlier than struggling an ankle an infection final week, Staal was a wholesome scratch on three events and his offensive manufacturing has been almost non-existent as he’s solely discovered the scoresheet twice in 11 video games. Even for a defender whose profession excessive is 29 factors, that’s a tricky begin. His cost-per-point sits at $2.85 million, and whereas he wasn’t signed for his offensive acumen, his defensive skill doesn’t make him value the associated fee at this level, both.
David Savard, D (Columbus – $four.25 million AAV)Savard has by no means been the kind to impress along with his scoring prowess, however his two factors in 19 video games, each of which got here in the identical sport in October, is an uncharacteristically gradual begin, even by his requirements. With a cost-per-point of $2.13 million, Savard hasn’t provided the Jackets a lot and his ice time has dipped, too, falling from 19:45 per sport in 2018-19 to 19:05 this season. Regardless of his invisibility on the scoresheet, Savard has been precious in bodily battles and is a high quality shot-blocker. In contrast to the others on this checklist, Savard provides worth, simply not from an offensive standpoint.
Milan Lucic, LW (Calgary – $6 million AAV)Stunned to see Lucic on a listing of under-performing forwards? In fact you aren’t. Whereas James Neal is on tempo for a 59-point season in Edmonton following the commerce this summer time, Lucic is monitoring to document a mere 13. With solely three assists in 20 video games, Lucic has a cost-per-point of $2 million proper now, making him one of many least-efficient forwards within the NHL. His ice time is sitting at 12:13, a mean that simply barely eclipses his 12:00 from his rookie season. As soon as thought of the most effective energy forwards within the sport, Lucic has fallen far since his time as a Boston Bruin.
Bobby Ryan, RW (Ottawa – $7.25 million AAV)Any hopes Ryan had of rekindling the magic that made him a top-six scorer have been dashed. His 4 factors in 16 video games earned him a demotion to the fourth line, and Ryan’s cost-per-point, $1.81 million, is abysmal, particularly once you consider simply how a lot cap area he eats up. It’s by no means an excellent signal when a staff scratches their costliest participant. With two years left on his deal, discovering Ryan a brand new residence will likely be subsequent to not possible. The Sens have roughly $9 million in cap area and may seemingly experience out the rest of his contract, however it’s unlucky that his manufacturing has diminished to such an extent.
P.Ok. Subban, D (New Jersey – $9 million AAV)When P.Ok. Subban signed his huge eight-year deal in 2014-15 with Montreal, it was due to the great two-way skill that received him the Norris Trophy in 2013. And whereas he can nonetheless be efficient defensively, he has struggled to supply offensively over the previous two seasons. Final season, he managed 31 factors in 63 video games, the bottom offensive output of his profession. This season, he has 5 factors in 19 video games for the struggling Devils. That provides Subban a cost-per-point of $1.eight million. He’s solely on tempo for 22 factors at the moment, and whereas that’s unlikely to stay that method, Subban hasn’t discovered the scoresheet prior to now seven video games regardless of averaging almost 24 minutes per outing.
(All wage cap info through CapFriendly and all superior statistics through NaturalStatTrick).
Need extra in-depth options, evaluation and an All-Entry move to the newest content material? Subscribe to The Hockey Information journal.
Tags: calgary flames, minnesota wild, columbus blue jackets, ottawa senators, the big apple rangers, nhlConnect: Concerning the AuthorSteven EllisSteven Ellis is a Digital Content material Producer for The Hockey Information. He spends his free time listening to music you would not like and watches obnoxiously-long motor races.