Well if we're talking about regretting contracts regret in later years....
Orlov
Johnny Q Dylan Norris
Oshie
Backy
Ovie
Kuzy
All these guys have contracts that overpay them at the latter ages in their careers (and some in the peak of them). But, unfortunately that's what happens with contracts.
I mean I like all these guys (to an extent), but will they be worth their pay at the end of their contracts? It's easy to criticize after the fact and hind site and all that, but at the time the contract was signed, you have to consider all the factors. I don't think the salary is necessarily too high...just the term is too long, but that's what it takes to sign a guy and keep quality players.
Both Orlov and Dylan had the team over a barrel and we needed them. I thought both contracts were way to high, and defnesemen were pretty scarce at the time. And if Dylan is really a Norris candidate (and let's not go there cause I will NEVER agree that he is), then his contract is plenty fair. Even if he is a finalist, then he should be in the top paid "D" in the league
Honestly Dylan has improved his game so much over the last few seasons, I'm not as sour on his deal anymore....but it will suck in the end
Oshie actually took somewhat a friendly discount to stay here previously and I think the long term was some sort of payback
Ovie....Well you can't NOT re-sign what has been the face of the franchise for more than a decade, a fan favorite, a bonafide superstar, and the best goal scorer of this generation and maybe ever. Not to mention....he puts fans in the seats and draws the crowd....ahem....cha-ching $$$$
Backy...keeps Ovie happy, and has been great here as well. Top quality centers don't come cheap...even old ones.
Kuzy...well alot of negative waves Moriarity, but the guy is superstar caliber and no way we have a cup without him. And same deal...when he was up for contract...he was desperately needed here and he is a premier NHL center offensively speaking.
When you think about it, pretty much EVERY long term contract sucks when players age....so these are no different.
Someone (GMBM) deserves some credit for creative unloading in the last few seasons...
Nisky's contract was getting bad at the end and many thought the whole thing was too much, but he was a key player
Orpik's contract was atrocious at the end, but someone by hook or crook unloaded that and got him back for a cool mil
Brooks Laich deal was a great example of a bad contract in declining years...gratefully unloaded
Carl Alzner- was one of my favorites and I hated to see him go, but he was never worth the contract he got in free agency. same goes for Beags. Loved that guy, but...\
I am sure we will look back and regret some or all of these current contracts, but that's not that unusual.
I look at the names on this list of bad contracts and if any one of them wasn't here, we don't have a Cup. (well maybe not true of Orlov)
I do agree the next few or several seasons these contracts are really going to pinch simply because you are not going to be able to afford your younger stars who are due contracts.
Anyway, I don't think there is a team out there that isn't overpaying its aging stars. Caps have been in salary cap trouble for years and it's only going to get worse in the next few seasons.
I really wonder what will happen with the expansion draft...I'd be tempted to leave all these big contract unprotected so you don't lose any valuable bargain youth (ahem...Smitty)
Although Nate made 8 mil this year. No way Caps could've taken the cap hit on him. He is $6 mil average, which I would take over $5m for Orlov, but if's and buts were....you think Vegas will consider a even trade?
Enough diversion for one day.
LETS GO CAPS!!!
PLAYOFF HOCKEY!!!
