15 NHL Players Who Will Be Paid Too Much In 2015-16

15 NHL Players Who Will Be Paid Too Much In 2015-16

By Richard Spalding

August 27, 2015

15 NHL Players Who Will Be Paid Too Much In 2015-16

NHL — Money makes the world go 'round, especially in professional sports, where players are given ridiculous amounts of dough to entertain fans. The NHL is no different, which means that owners looking to fill the seats will often overvalue talent based on one good season or unjustified hype. Here's a list of the 15 players in the NHL who will be paid more money than they are worth in 2015-16.

Money makes the world go 'round, especially in professional sports, where players are given ridiculous amounts of dough to entertain fans. The NHL is no different, which means that owners looking to fill the seats will often overvalue talent based on one good season or unjustified hype. Here's a list of the 15 players in the NHL who will be paid more money than they are worth in 2015-16.

15. Zach Parise ($9 Million)

Zach Parise

15. Zach Parise ($9 Million)

Zach Parise — Man, I hate to put Parise on this list, because I really like him... but he's not one of the 10 best players in the league, even if his salary says so. Parise notched 62 points in 2014-15 -- very good, but less than 40 players who scored more. I hesitate to call a guy who scored 33 goals overpaid, but comparatively speaking, that's what he is, which is why he made this list -- barely.

Man, I hate to put Parise on this list, because I really like him... but he's not one of the 10 best players in the league, even if his salary says so. Parise notched 62 points in 2014-15 -- very good, but less than 40 players who scored more. I hesitate to call a guy who scored 33 goals overpaid, but comparatively speaking, that's what he is, which is why he made this list -- barely.

14. Dustin Brown ($7.25 Million)

Dustin Brown

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14. Dustin Brown ($7.25 Million)

Dustin Brown — This is another guy I'm going to tread lightly on, as I really like Brown. But LA's captain is making top 30 player money despite putting up consecutive 27-point seasons. Brown was minus-17 in 2014-15 and is a shocking minus-34 for his NHL career. He doesn't score much and doesn't defend like he used to.

This is another guy I'm going to tread lightly on, as I really like Brown. But LA's captain is making top 30 player money despite putting up consecutive 27-point seasons. Brown was minus-17 in 2014-15 and is a shocking minus-34 for his NHL career. He doesn't score much and doesn't defend like he used to.

13. Roberto Luongo ($6.714 Million)

Roberto Luongo

13. Roberto Luongo ($6.714 Million)

Roberto Luongo — I have to give Luongo credit: he had a .921 save percentage and 2.35 GAA playing for the Florida Panthers, who were a nice little surprise last season. Still, Luongo sits in the 49 spot for player salaries next season, ahead of both Braden Holtby and the two netminders who played in the Stanley Cup Final last season, Ben Bishop and Corey Crawford.

I have to give Luongo credit: he had a .921 save percentage and 2.35 GAA playing for the Florida Panthers, who were a nice little surprise last season. Still, Luongo sits in the 49 spot for player salaries next season, ahead of both Braden Holtby and the two netminders who played in the Stanley Cup Final last season, Ben Bishop and Corey Crawford.

12. Thomas Vanek ($6.5 Million)

Thomas Vanek

12. Thomas Vanek ($6.5 Million)

Thomas Vanek — Vanek cracked 80 points once in his career, but he was a consistent threat to score 60 points a season in his prime. Now, he is still capable of producing 50 points for the Wild, but when you consider he of the 52 points in 2014-15 will get paid more than Tyler Seguin (77), John Tavares (86) and even Jamie Benn (87), you can't help but feel that Vanek is being grossly overpaid.

Vanek cracked 80 points once in his career, but he was a consistent threat to score 60 points a season in his prime. Now, he is still capable of producing 50 points for the Wild, but when you consider he of the 52 points in 2014-15 will get paid more than Tyler Seguin (77), John Tavares (86) and even Jamie Benn (87), you can't help but feel that Vanek is being grossly overpaid.

11. Ryan Miller ($6 Million)

Ryan Miller

11. Ryan Miller ($6 Million)

Ryan Miller — Another ex-Buffalo Sabres player on this list, Miller is going to cost the Vancouver Canucks $ 6 million next season. That's way too much for a good goaltender who had one great season. Miller will make almost as much money as Corey Crawford next season, for crying out loud, despite being a total bust in St. Louis two seasons ago.

Another ex-Buffalo Sabres player on this list, Miller is going to cost the Vancouver Canucks $ 6 million next season. That's way too much for a good goaltender who had one great season. Miller will make almost as much money as Corey Crawford next season, for crying out loud, despite being a total bust in St. Louis two seasons ago.

10. Mike Green ($6 Million)

Mike Green

10. Mike Green ($6 Million)

Mike Green — Green left Washington to play for the Red Wings this summer, and Detroit rewarded him with a contract that will pay him more than Jamie Benn, the league's leading-scorer. Okay then! Sure, Green will help out on the power play for the Red Wings, but he is a liability on defense (a problem for a defenseman, no?) and is a no-show in the playoffs. Not the wisest investment, Detroit.

Green left Washington to play for the Red Wings this summer, and Detroit rewarded him with a contract that will pay him more than Jamie Benn, the league's leading-scorer. Okay then! Sure, Green will help out on the power play for the Red Wings, but he is a liability on defense (a problem for a defenseman, no?) and is a no-show in the playoffs. Not the wisest investment, Detroit.

9. Cam Ward ($6.8 Million)

Cam Ward

9. Cam Ward ($6.8 Million)

Cam Ward — Sticking with the goalie motif, Ward will be the second-highest paid player on the Hurricanes roster next season and is making top 50 money. That makes him the sixth-highest paid goalie in the NHL -- not bad for a guy who hasn't been relevant since 2006. Ward will make more than Corey Crawford and nearly as much as Carey Price next season -- I mean, come on.

Sticking with the goalie motif, Ward will be the second-highest paid player on the Hurricanes roster next season and is making top 50 money. That makes him the sixth-highest paid goalie in the NHL -- not bad for a guy who hasn't been relevant since 2006. Ward will make more than Corey Crawford and nearly as much as Carey Price next season -- I mean, come on.

8. Dion Phaneuf ($8 Million)

Dion Phaneuf

8. Dion Phaneuf ($8 Million)

Dion Phaneuf — The Toronto Maple Leafs have a history of overpaying players, and Phaneuf is just my first example. With $ 8 million coming to him next season, Phaneuf ties for 16th on the list of player salaries and the third-highest paid defenseman. If you believe that Phaneuf is honestly worth more than Duncan Keith, you probably should stop reading now.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have a history of overpaying players, and Phaneuf is just my first example. With $ 8 million coming to him next season, Phaneuf ties for 16th on the list of player salaries and the third-highest paid defenseman. If you believe that Phaneuf is honestly worth more than Duncan Keith, you probably should stop reading now.

7. Andrej Sekera ($6.5 Million)

Andrej Sekera

7. Andrej Sekera ($6.5 Million)

Andrej Sekera — Sekera -- he of the 3-20-23 last season -- will make more than Steven Stamkos next season, folks. Enough said.

Sekera -- he of the 3-20-23 last season -- will make more than Steven Stamkos next season, folks. Enough said.

6. Paul Stastny ($7 Million)

Paul Stastny

6. Paul Stastny ($7 Million)

Paul Stastny — Someone needs to explain to me how Stastny can be the second-highest-paid player on the Blues. For $ 7 million, the Blues are going to get a player who has not scored 70-plus points since 2009-10, whose 46 points were sixth-best on the team last season and who scored exactly one point in the playoffs, helping the Blues enjoy yet another postseason flame-out. Good luck, Blues fans.

Someone needs to explain to me how Stastny can be the second-highest-paid player on the Blues. For $ 7 million, the Blues are going to get a player who has not scored 70-plus points since 2009-10, whose 46 points were sixth-best on the team last season and who scored exactly one point in the playoffs, helping the Blues enjoy yet another postseason flame-out. Good luck, Blues fans.

5. Joffrey Lupul ($6.75 Million)

Joffrey Lupul

5. Joffrey Lupul ($6.75 Million)

Joffrey Lupul — Lupul will be the second-highest paid player on the Leafs next season and is making top 50 money. Hmmm. Lupul has not played more than 70 games in a season since 2008-09, has a career plus/minus of minus-69 and scored 21 points last season. He's an injury waiting to happen, and he makes an obscene amount of money. Oh, Toronto!

Lupul will be the second-highest paid player on the Leafs next season and is making top 50 money. Hmmm. Lupul has not played more than 70 games in a season since 2008-09, has a career plus/minus of minus-69 and scored 21 points last season. He's an injury waiting to happen, and he makes an obscene amount of money. Oh, Toronto!

4. Brian Campbell ($7.14 Million)

Brian Campbell

4. Brian Campbell ($7.14 Million)

Brian Campbell — All you need to know about Brian Campbell is that he will get paid more next season ($ 7.14 million) than Duncan Keith, Zdeno Chara, Drew Doughty, Alex Pietrangelo, Brent Burns and Brent Seabrook. Does that seem right for a 36-year-old blueliner who scored all of three goals last season? No, sir, it does not.

All you need to know about Brian Campbell is that he will get paid more next season ($ 7.14 million) than Duncan Keith, Zdeno Chara, Drew Doughty, Alex Pietrangelo, Brent Burns and Brent Seabrook. Does that seem right for a 36-year-old blueliner who scored all of three goals last season? No, sir, it does not.

3. Eric Staal ($9.5 Million)

Eric Staal

3. Eric Staal ($9.5 Million)

Eric Staal — Ah, another member of the Hurricanes. Look, management was probably convinced that the Canes would become a perennial playoff contender following a magical 2005-06 season. Fast forward to now, though, and the fact that Staal will make as much money as Evgeni Malkin and more than Ryan Getzalf, Ryan Suter, and hell, pretty much the entire NHL, is the definition of overpaid -- especially since it's been nine seasons since he scored 80 points.

Ah, another member of the Hurricanes. Look, management was probably convinced that the Canes would become a perennial playoff contender following a magical 2005-06 season. Fast forward to now, though, and the fact that Staal will make as much money as Evgeni Malkin and more than Ryan Getzalf, Ryan Suter, and hell, pretty much the entire NHL, is the definition of overpaid -- especially since it's been nine seasons since he scored 80 points.

2. Shea Weber ($14 Million)

Shea Weber

2. Shea Weber ($14 Million)

Shea Weber — If you thought Jonathan Toews or Sidney Crosby was the highest-paid player in the NHL, think again. The man who will top the list in 2015-16 is Weber, who will make a ridiculous $ 13 million in signing bonuses next season! Even if you could make the argument that Weber is the best defenseman in the NHL, an argument I would strongly oppose, you cannot convince me that he is worth more than Crosby, Toews or Ovechkin, just to name a few.

If you thought Jonathan Toews or Sidney Crosby was the highest-paid player in the NHL, think again. The man who will top the list in 2015-16 is Weber, who will make a ridiculous $ 13 million in signing bonuses next season! Even if you could make the argument that Weber is the best defenseman in the NHL, an argument I would strongly oppose, you cannot convince me that he is worth more than Crosby, Toews or Ovechkin, just to name a few.

1. Nathan Horton ($6 Million)

Nathan Horton

1. Nathan Horton ($6 Million)

Nathan Horton — This is 100 percent not his fault, but if you want to know which NHL player will be the most overpaid guy in all of hockey, it's Horton, because chances are he will not see any action whatsoever. Horton, who is battling a degenerative nerve condition that will probably end his career, was traded by the Columbus Blue Jackets to -- you guessed it -- the Maple Leafs, who never met a bad contract they did not love.

This is 100 percent not his fault, but if you want to know which NHL player will be the most overpaid guy in all of hockey, it's Horton, because chances are he will not see any action whatsoever. Horton, who is battling a degenerative nerve condition that will probably end his career, was traded by the Columbus Blue Jackets to -- you guessed it -- the Maple Leafs, who never met a bad contract they did not love.

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