NHL Contracts: Each team’s worst deal

Dallas Stars: Martin Hanzal

Contract: Two years remaining, $4.75 million cap hit, $9 million total salary remaining, 15-team no-trade list.

Last offseason, the Dallas Stars decided to go all-in in trying to win a Stanley Cup. They had a hole in their lineup down the middle, so they signed center Martin Hanzal. At the time, it seemed like a reasonable deal. Especially since the Stars only made it a three-year deal.

Maybe if Hanzal can stay healthy, he can turn things around. But back problems tend to bother hockey players long-term and rarely go away completely.

However, it blew up in their face. And it’s easy to blame the Stars if you properly look back at the move in hindsight. At the time, Hanzal was one of the best centers available. And the Stars desperately needed a center. Though Hanzal had been relatively healthy in the previous two seasons, there should have been some red flags.

The same injury issues that plagued him earlier in his career came back. Hanzal played just 38 games in 2017-18, posting 10 points. Back in 2015, a back injury cost him to miss most of the season. The Stars were banking on Hanzal avoiding any further back problems. That wasn’t the case.

At least the contract is only for two more seasons. That’s about the only good thing that can be said for the deal right now. Maybe if Hanzal can stay healthy, he can turn things around. But back problems tend to bother hockey players long-term and rarely go away completely.