5 worst and most untradeable contracts in the NHL

We’re counting down the five worst and most untradeable contracts in the NHL right now, based on factors that include remaining term, player production and age.

Ever since the 2004-05 NHL lockout, the league has seen major increases in general fan interest, television ratings, and revenue. It’s obviously led to more money for all the owners and players. Prior to the lockout, many superstar players were making around $5 to $7 million per season. But in this day and age, some second line forwards and second-pairing blueliners are actually earning more than.

Whether they like it or not, teams simply have to pay more money to award their top guys now, with superstars commanding $10 million or more per season. And as the league continues to see its revenue increase, players are only going to get more expensive over time.

Things are different in today’s NHL. General managers aren’t signing superstar players to short-term contracts anymore. The players are looking for lucrative long-term deals, be it with their own teams or in free agency.

Obviously, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Chicago Blackhawks, teams who have each won three Stanley Cups since 2009, have had no problem awarding their franchise players with long-term contracts.

However, it doesn’t always work out when a team signs a big-named player to a massive contract. They demand big salaries, plenty of term plus the ever-complicated no-trade/movement clauses. And once their production declines, the player becomes practically untradeable.

After the league and players agreed to a new CBA in 2012-13, each team was awarded two compliance buyouts that had to be used within two years. Well, let’s just say that some owners and GMs wish they had more time to use those buyouts because they’re surely wasting money on some largely unproductive players.

Here are the five worst and untradeable contracts in the NHL right now.

Contract details are courtesy of CapFriendly.com, and stats via Hockey Reference.