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NHL Free Agency 2017: 5 Worst Signings

By Dave Stevenson

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 16: T.J. Oshie
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 16: T.J. Oshie /
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TORONTO,ON – APRIL 23: T.J. Oshie #77 of the Washington Capitals waits for a faceoff against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Air Canada Centre on April 23, 2017 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Capitals defeated the Maple Leafs 2-1 in overtime to win series 4-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO,ON – APRIL 23: T.J. Oshie #77 of the Washington Capitals waits for a faceoff against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Air Canada Centre on April 23, 2017 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Capitals defeated the Maple Leafs 2-1 in overtime to win series 4-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

1. T.J. Oshie

The contract: Eight years, $46 million, $20 million signing bonus. 15 team no trade clause for the first four years, 10 team no trade clause for the remaining four.

Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals /

Washington Capitals

Why it’s terrible: Yes, this deal was signed on June 23. But since Oshie was going to be a free agent this year, I’m going to count it anyway. His contract was questionable at best when he signed it. But at least the Washington Capitals could keep their top players, right?

Wrong. This deal has already caused a lot of pain for the Caps. Evgeny Kuznetsov got an eight-year deal on Sunday. It’s a slight overpay with a $7.8 million cap hit, but he’s proven he’s one of the top centers in the NHL. There’s no problem with young stars getting overpaid. If you’re going to overpay someone, it’s fine if it’s a star.

Oshie’s contract forced the Capitals to sell valuable, underrated wing Marcus Johansson, on a team friendly deal, to the New Jersey Devils for two draft picks. If it wasn’t for his deal, Washington wouldn’t have had to do anything.

Next: NHL Free Agency Instant Analysis

The worst part of the deal is Oshie got paid for a season he probably won’t replicate. He scored 33 goals, but with a league high 23.1 percent shooting percentage, that’s not happening again. Oshie is already 30 years old and turns 31 in December. He has a 13.4 percent career shooting percentage, but keep in mind this includes last season’s anomaly. Oshie’s contract should be a lesson why eight year deals for players over 30 is a terrible idea.

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