Brad Richards and the Top 50 Highest Paid NHL Players: Are They Worth It?

Brad Richards just signed a mammoth contract, making $12 million per year for the next two years, after being the top free agent. Last summer, Ilya Kovalchuk and the New Jersey Devils' 17-year contract worth $102 million was rejected on the grounds that it aimed to get around the salary cap.

Many players have annual salaries in the double digits in millions and even more have salaries in the upper single digit millions. 

But are these players worth their significant price tags?

We took a look at the 50 highest paid players (Note: Some high-profile RFAs have yet to sign and they would likely make this list after they've signed) for the 2011-12 season  and will analyze their contributions versus their contract's worth to decide. (Note: The lowest salary listed is $6 million and there are many more than what is mentioned, however we reached the 50 cutoff. That's why some are not included.)

All numbers are courtesy of Capgeek, a website that crunches the numbers for each player and each team.

50. Ilya Kovalchuk

As was mentioned in the preceding slide, Ilya Kovalchuk and the New Jersey Devils tried unsuccessfully to sign a 17-year, $102 million contract.

Don't feel sorry for Kovalchuk though, as the contract that was approved is a $15-year, $100 million contract.

In the first year of this contract this past season and this coming season, Kovalchuk makes $6 million. After next season, though that jumps up to $11 million and other small incremental increases for five seasons.

Is he worth it? No

Kovalchuk scored 60 points in 2010-11, meaning that he earned $100,000 per point. It's also 25 points less than he scored in the preceding season and 31 less than the season before that.

Statistically, Kovalchuk's production has been declining each season since 2008-09, which is a poor trend to see for someone set to receive a $5 million raise two seasons from now.

However, Kovalchuk is only 28 and could bounce back and play better than before. He better, if he wants to be worth his price tag.

 

49. Nicklas Backstrom

For four seasons, Nicklas Backstrom has centered Alex Ovechkin's line. He led in assists? Came in close?

It's like arguing about the chicken and the egg to argue whether Backstrom is successful because of Ovechkin or the other way around.

The Capitals clearly saw Backstrom's value, when they signed him to a 10-year, $67 million extension last May, where he earns $6 million each year for four years.

Is he worth it? Not at the moment

Backstrom was signed to the long-term, large deal following a very successful 2009-10 season, his best as a Washington Capital and the first time he passed the 100 point mark.

However, in the season since he was signed to his new contract, his point production went down significantly. He scored 65 points, 15 less goals and 21 less assists than the previous season.

Additionally, in the playoffs, Backstrom was nowhere to be found, scoring only two points in 11 games.

When Backstrom improves back to his 2009-10 numbers, he'll be worth his deal.

48. Miikka Kiprusoff

Miikka Kiprusoff is in the middle of a six-year, $35 million contract, set to expire in 2014. For the first year, Kiprusoff received $8.5 million and then two years at $7 million.

This coming season, Kiprusoff is set to make $6 million and then $5 million and $1 million for the final two seasons of his contract, respectively. Last season, Kiprusoff had a GAA of 2.63, up from 2.31 the previous season, and a save percentage of .906, down from .920 the previous season.

Is he worth it? Yes

Despite Kiprusoff's numbers going down, he's still a great goaltender. He has been playing for the Calgary Flames, who didn't start the season off so well last year, which contributed to his numbers.  

He has a tendency to do well and then his numbers decline, but he still has good numbers. He has a career GAA of 2.46 and save percentage of .913.

47. Daniel Sedin

Daniel Sedin's five year contract began in 2009-10 and has him earning $6.1 million for each of those five years.

Post lockout, Sedin had better seasons than before, always scoring over 70 points. He was rewarded with the contract extension valued at $6.1 million.

Is he worth it? Yes

In the two seasons he's into the contract, Sedin has had his best seasons, scoring 85 points the first year and 104 points, winning the Art Ross Trophy, this past season.

This past season, he also was awarded the Ted Lindsay Award, the MVP as voted on by his peers.

Yes, the Sedin twins have yet to win a Cup and are routinely criticized for their lack of production in the playoffs, but the team is getting closer and made a Stanley Cup Finals appearance this year.

Sedin helped get them there and win the President's Trophy this past season by his regular season production of 41 goals, a personal best, and 63 assists.

46. Henrik Sedin

Along with his identical twin brother Daniel, Henrik Sedin signed a five year contract extension in 2009, worth $30.5 million altogether, $6.1 million a year.

Since the lockout, Sedin has never scored less than 75 points a season.

Is he worth it? Yes

After signing the extension, Sedin had his personal best season, scoring 112 points and winning the Art Ross Trophy, as well as the Hart Memorial Trophy.

This past season, Sedin followed it up by scoring 94 points, just 10 less than Art Ross winner and his brother Daniel.

While often criticized for his playoff production, Sedin scored 22 points in 25 playoff games or 0.88 points a game, down from 1.15 points per game during the regular season.

Which when you consider the elevated intensity of the playoffs, that's really not bad.  

45. Nicklas Lidstrom

Nicklas Lidstrom has been operating on short-term deals for the past few years now. He's currently been operating on one-year deals.

In 2010-11, Lidstrom made $6.2 million and is set to make the same amount for this coming season.

Is he worth it? Yes

There wasn't even a question about this one. Obviously, the seven-time Norris Trophy winning defenseman is worth any amount of money the Detroit Red Wings give him.

He's only been a minus on the year once in his 19 seasons with the Wings and is almost always over at least +20, routinely at a +40.

He has at least one more year to win his eighth Norris and tie Bobby Orr for the record. If given at least two more years, Lidstrom could break the record and cement himself as the greatest defenseman in history.

44. Ryan Miller

Before signing his extension, Ryan Miller spent three years in the pros, averaging a GAA of 2.63, incrementally declining each year, and a save percentage of .917.

Miller is in the middle of a five-year deal worth $31.25 million total. He signed the deal before the 2009-10 season and his salary is evenly split at $6.25 million per year.

Is he worth it? Yes

Miller is the heart of the Sabres organization. His GAA has remained under 2.6 since signing his new contract and his save percentage above .915.

He also helped the team to their first playoff berth in a couple seasons in the 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs and helped the team take the 2011 ECQFs to a Game 7 (which they lost to the Philadelphia Flyers).

He was the recipient of the Vezina Trophy in 2010, as the best goaltender that season.

43. Cam Ward

The season before he signed his extension, Cam Ward had a GAA of 2.69 and save percentage of .916.

Cam Ward was signed to a six-year contract extension before the 2010-11 season, valued at $37.8 million altogether. He made $5 million in the first season and is set to make $6.3 million this coming season and $6.8 million in the final season of the deal.

Is he worth it? Probably not

After signing the extension, Ward's numbers improved slightly. However, since winning the Stanley Cup in 2006, the Hurricanes have only made one playoff appearance.

True, that can't be placed only on the goaltender, however, one must also factor in that the only goaltenders that will make more than Ward in 2011-12 are Ilya Bryzgalov, Henrik Lundqvist and Roberto Luongo.

The Stanley Cup and 2011 Vezina winning Tim Thomas will make $1.3 million less than Ward this coming season.

42. Anze Kopitar

In 2010-11, Anze Kopitar scored 25 goals and 48 assists for 73 points in 75 games, averaging almost a point per game. The year before that, also the first year of his new contract, Kopitar scored 81 points in 82 games, also just shy of a point per game.

Before the 2009 season, Kopitar was signed to a seven-year deal, worth $47.6 million. He made $6 million in each of the first two seasons and is set to make $6.4 million in 2011-12.

Is he worth it? Yes

When Kopitar was signed to this deal, the Kings hadn't made the playoffs in years and needed help generating offense.

That's where Kopitar came in and has performed his job well.

Alongside a supporting cast in Mike Richards and Simon Gagne, Kopitar should be even better since the weight of production isn't solely on his shoulders.

41. Thomas Vanek

In 2006-07, Thomas Vanek had a fantastic season, scoring 43 goals and 41 assists for 84 points, a 36 point increase over his previous season.

The Buffalo Sabres signed him to a seven-year deal worth $50 million total. He received $10 million his first year and $8 million of the second and $6.4 million in each of the remaining years, including this coming season.

Is he worth it? No

Ever since the original high-producing season, Vanek hasn't come within 10 points of that total. This past season, Vanek came the closest, scoring 73 points, a 20 point increase from the previous season.

However, he went from producing more than a point per game in 2006-07 to scoring less than a point per game in each of the succeeding seasons.

Unless Vanek steps it up, he's not worth his price tag.

40. Brooks Laich

Brooks Laich has spent the last three seasons making $1.7 million, $2.1 million and $2.4 million respectively.

He's getting a hefty pay raise for 2011-12, after re-signing a six-year deal with the team to avoid entering free agency, where he was highly coveted.

He'll make $6.5 million this coming season and around $4 million for the remaining five seasons.

Is he worth it? It remains to be seen

Laich is renowned for his work ethic and will surely prove himself worthy of his large contract. One of the reasons he garnered so much was because of the competing attention and possibilities on the market.

Plus, the team is fond of him for being a utility player and for his leadership on the sometimes inconsistent team.

He's never scored over 60 points in a season, nor any more than 25 goals. However, with the large pay raise, perhaps he'll score more.

 

39. Wade Redden

Wade Redden signed a six-year deal worth $39 million before the 2008-09 season.

He made $8 million the first two seasons, $6.5 million last year and this coming year and will make $5 million in the remaining two seasons.

Is he worth it? No

He's one of the highest-paid members of the team, yet spent 2010-11 in the AHL playing for the Connecticut Whale.

It's a huge waste to pay an AHL player $6.5 million. If someone gets paid that much, they better contribute and in the pros.

38. Dion Phaneuf

Dion Phaneuf is in the middle of a six-year deal valued at $39 million. He made $7 million his first year, $6.5 his second and $7 million again this past season.

He is set to make $6.5 million in his remaining three years.

Is he worth it? No

Phaneuf was brought in from the Calgary Flames to help improve the Toronto Maple Leafs. He also now serves as the Leafs captain.

So far, Phaneuf hasn't helped the team to the playoffs. While one player can't single-handedly get a team to the playoffs, they can help.

He's a tough player, but not worth a $6.5 million price tag.

37. Shawn Horcoff

Shawn Horcoff signed a six-year deal at $33 million total before the 2009-10 season.

The deal had him making $7 million in the first year; $6.5 million this past year and this coming year; then, $6 million, $4 million and $3 million respectively.

Is he worth it? No

Horcoff scored 36 points the first year of his contract. That's about $195,000 per point.

The second year of his contract, Horcoff scored 27 points (granted, he missed almost half of the season). That's about $240,000 per point.

That's not a great deal for the Oilers.

36. Jay Bouwmeester

Jay Bouwmeester began a five-year deal in 2009-10 worth $33.4 million total. The first year, he made $7 million and this past season $6.6 million.

He'll make $6.6 million the next three seasons as well.

Is he worth it? No

He's had a minus rating every year so far on this contract and averaged less than a hit a game this past season. He isn't a high point producer either.

This all leads up to not being worth $6.6 million, or anything higher, a year.

35. Mike Richards

Mike Richards signed a 12-year deal before the 2008-09 season, worth $69 million altogether. He has made $5.4 million, $5.6 million and $6.4 million each year since, respectively.

He is scheduled to make $6.6 million this coming season, his first season with the Los Angeles Kings.

Is he worth it? Yes

Richards is a tough player and one of the most underrated two-way forwards. Besides that, he is a fairly high-producing forward.

He has scored over 60 points every season but his first two in the pros and scored 66 points this past season, despite fighting a nagging wrist injury the entire time.

Oh and he didn't miss any games with the injury; just one game with the flu.

After successful reparative surgery this offseason, Richards should return next season to do even better, especially once reunited with Simon Gagne.

34. Paul Stastny

Paul Stastny signed a five-year deal before the 2009-10 season, worth $33 million altogether.

That's $6.6 million a year, including this coming season.

Is he worth it? Yes

The first year of his deal, he played 81 games and scored 79 points; averaging just under a point per game. This past season, Stastny played 74 games and only scored 57 points.

However, he was second on his team in scoring, after Matt Duchene who played six more games than he did.

33. Dan Boyle

Dan Boyle signed a six-year deal before 2008-09 worth $40 million.

He earns $6,666,666 each year throughout the contract. That's a lot of sixes and two sets of 666...oh, never mind.

Is he worth it? Yes

Boyle is a high-producing defenseman, often scoring over 50 points throughout his career, including every season in his new deal, so far.

He's a tough defenseman and worth his price.

32. Alexander Semin

Alexander Semin's last two contracts have been short-term deals. He had a one-year deal last season worth $6 million.

His one-year deal for this coming season is worth $6.7 million.

Is he worth it? Yes

When healthy, Semin is one of the best forwards in the league in terms of his shot. His productivity has been negatively affected because of injuries.

He has scored over 25 goals every season since 2006 and scored a personal best 40 goals in 2009-10.

He missed 17 games this past season and that's what affected his points.

31. Pavel Datsyuk

Pavel Datsyuk began a seven-year deal in 2007-08. His deal is worth $46.9 million over that time period.

The deal is evenly spread out at $6.7 million each season.

Is he worth it? Yes

Another Detroit Red Wing veteran who is obviously worth any amount of money.

Datsyuk is one of the best in the game, renowned for his deking and stickhandling abilities. He's also known for his highlight reel worthy goals and is the best goal scorer following the 2010-11 season.

He scored 59 points this past season, while only playing 56 games. He scored 15 points in the playoffs, 4 of them goals.

30. Roberto Luongo

Roberto Luongo  began the first year of his 12-year contract this past season. His deal is worth $64 million.

His salary was $10 million this past year and will be $6.716 million this coming year.

Is he worth it? On the fence

It's difficult to decide whether or not Luongo is worth his salary.

On the one hand, he can be an incredible goaltender, like the goalie who helped Canada win gold in Vancouver 2010 and rarely let a goal by.

On the other hand, he can be inconsistent and that has been the doom of the Canucks many a time.

29. Henrik Lundqvist

Henrik Lundqvist began his six-year, $41.25 million dollar deal in 2008-09.

Last season, Lundqvist made $7.75 million and this coming season he'll make $6.875 million.

Is he worth it? Yes

Lundqvist is one of the top goaltenders in the league and often single-handedly keeps the New York Rangers in games and even wins game for them.

At the end of his season, the Rangers got into the playoffs mostly off of his play.

With a goaltender like Lundqvist, it doesn't matter what else your team is lacking, you're always going to be a contender.

28. Patrick Marleau

This past season, Patrick Marleau began the first year of his four-year, $27.6 million contract.

He makes an eve $6.9 million each year.

Is he worth it? Yes

Marleau has scored over 35 goals each the previous three seasons and over 70 points. During the 2009-10 season, Marleau scored a personal best 44 goals and was close behind Sidney Crosby and Steven Stamkos who were the Rocket Richard winners.

Plus, Marleau was on fire during the playoffs, helping the San Jose Sharks advance to WCF.

27. James Wisniewski

James Wisniewski will begin a six-year, $33 million deal this coming season, his first season with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Wisniewski is set to make $7 million a year for the first two years of the deal.

Is he worth it? No

His salary in 2011-12 is more than double his 2010-11 salary.

That's an awfully high contract and big risk to take on a player who will join his fifth different team since 2008, previously playing for the Chicago Blackhawks, Anaheim Ducks, New York Islanders and Montreal Canadiens.

Perhaps Wisniewski will find his niche in Columbus, but at this point, he isn't worth his price tag. He only got that price because Columbus is in dire need of defensemen.

26. Kevin Bieksa

Kevin Bieksa has ignored trade rumors for years now and had a fantastic 2010-11 season and postseason, the final season before he became a UFA.

Following his performance, the Vancouver Canucks made it a top priority to re-sign Bieksa, letting Christian Ehrhoff go in the process.

Bieksa will begin a five-year, $23 million contract, making $7 million this coming season.

Is he worth it? Yes

Bieksa is absolutely worth this deal. He was one of the Canucks best players this past postseason and easily their best defenseman.

He's an excellent defenseman and produces points too.

Best of all, he's committed to being in Vancouver, giving the Canucks the hometown discount to remain part of the team.

25. Brent Seabrook

This past season, the Chicago Blackhawks re-signed Brent Seabrook to a five-year, $29 million deal, beginning this coming season.

He'll make $7 million for the next two seasons and $5 million for the remaining three.

Is he worth it? Yes

In 2009-10, Seabrook helped the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup and is one of the players that wasn't shipped off immediately after, due to salary constraints.

In 2010-11, Seabrook had his career best season in points, scoring 48, including nine goals and 39 assists.

24. Marc Savard

Marc Savard began a seven-year, $28.05 million deal this past season.

He made $7 million this past season and is set to make $7 million again in 2011-12.

Is he worth it? Unable to judge

Since Savard has missed significant time the past two seasons due to concussions and their effects, it's unfair to determine whether or not Savard is worth his price tag.

He was a fantastic player before the injuries and the missed time and concussions themselves have severely affected his abilities.

23. Daniel Briere

Daniel Briere signed an eight-year, $52 million deal that began in the 2007-08 season.

This past season, Briere earned $7 million and will earn the same amount for the next two seasons.

Is he worth it? Yes

After missing a significant portion of the 2008-09 season, Briere got his production back up to normal levels over the next two seasons.

He has been especially dominant in the previous two playoffs.

He seems to get better with age, which if true, means he'll be even better for the rest of his contract's duration.

22. Jarome Iginla

Jarome Iginla began his five-year, $35 million deal in the 2008-09 season.

The contract is split evenly, with Iginla earning $7 million per season.

Is he worth it? Yes

Iginla had one of his best seasons in recent years this past season, scoring 86 points, 43 of them goals. That's the most goals he's scored since 2007-08.

That's also with the Calgary Flames, not a higher-producing team.

Iginla is also an excellent captain and role model, two traits that it's difficult to put a price on.

21. Brian Campbell

Brian Campbell is in the midst of an eight-year deal worth $57.143 million dollars.

He earns $7,142,875 per year and will earn that in 2011-12, his first season as a member of the Florida Panthers.

Is he worth it? Yes

Campbell, or "Soupy," is worth his price. In him, a team gets an offensive defenseman. They also get experience and a Stanley Cup champion.

20. Mikko Koivu

The Minnesota Wild extended captain Mikko Koivu to a seven-year deal, beginning in 2011-12. His deal is worth $47.25 million.

He'll earn $7.29 million this coming season.

Is he worth it? Yes

Koivu is the heart of the Wild. He's the only player that was reportedly not available via trade.

Koivu scored 62 points this past season and 71 and 67 points before that, respectively. He was tied for the Wild's scoring leader this past season and the sole leader the previous two seasons.

Koivu will continue to lead the team, in scoring and in the dressing room.

19. Rick Nash

Rick Nash began his eight-year contract, valued at $62.4 million this past season. He earned $7.5 million this past year and will earn the same amount this coming season.

Is he worth it? Yes

Nash has made a name for himself as a top young forward and captain in the NHL, while captaining and playing for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

If he can accomplish that with the Blue Jackets, a team that hasn't had much success in the past, then he's worth his money.

He's led his team in scoring for the past four years, came in second the two preceding years and led the year before that, just his second season in the NHL.

18. Marian Gaborik

Marian Gaborik will enter his third year of his five-year, $37.5 million deal this coming season.

He earns $7.5 million per year.

Is he worth it? Not at this point

In his first year as a New York Ranger, Gaborik scored 86 points, 42 of them goals. This past season, his production declined to only 48 points, 22 of them goals.

While he played 14 less games this past season, his points per game average dropped from 1.13 points in 2009-10 to 0.77 points in 2010-11.

If Gabby improves this coming season to his 2009-10 numbers, he'll earn his money, but if not, he's not worth his price tag.

17. Scott Gomez

In 2007-08, Scott Gomez began the first year of his seven-year deal worth $51.5 million altogether.

He earned $10 million the first year and $8 million the next three years, including this past season. He is scheduled to make $7.5 million this coming season.

Is he worth it? No

The Montreal Canadiens have been trying unsuccessfully to be rid of Gomez' large contract for awhile now. They have no takers though, because another team doesn't want to take on the deal for what they get in Gomez.

16. Chris Pronger

Chris Pronger began his seven-year, $34.45 million contract this past season.

He made $7.6 million this past season and will earn the same amount in 2011-12.

Is he worth it? Yes

Pronger is one of the best defenseman currently in the NHL. He makes any team he is on better and hasn't missed the playoffs ever in his career.

His value goes down a bit when he's injured, however, he comes back and is just as effective as before.

Teams are always glad to have Pronger on their roster, no matter the cost.

15. Eric Staal

In 2009-10, Eric Staal began the first year of his seven-year, $57.75 million contract.

He made $6 million the first year, $7.5 million last year and will make $7.75 million in the fall. His salary continues to incrementally increase throughout the remainder of his contract.

Is he worth it? At the moment, yes

Staal improved his production last year versus the first year of his contract. Some attribute this to happening once he became captain.

Staal will have to continue to improve year-by-year as his salary increases, otherwise he won't be worth his price tag anymore.

He also needs to help lead the Hurricanes back into the playoffs, to really prove his worth.

14. Henrik Zetterberg

In 2009-10, Henrik Zetterberg began his 12-year contract, worth $73 million altogether.

The first year, Zetterberg earned $7.4 million, last season earned $7.75 million and will earn the same amount for the next two seasons.

Is he worth it? Yes

It's pretty tough to make the case that any Detroit Red Wings player isn't worth their price tag, especially their leading players, like Zetterberg.

He has scored over 65 points each of the last six seasons, including this past season when he scored 80 points, more than the previous two seasons.

If he continues that incline, he'll continue to be worth his salary.

13. Marian Hossa

In 2009-10, the Chicago Blackhawks signed Marian Hossa to a 12-year contract worth $63.3 million.

He makes $7.9 million per year from 2009-10 season to the 2015-16 season.

Is he worth it? No

Hossa played in three consecutive Stanley Cup Finals, playing for the losing team in the first two. The third time was the charm with the Chicago Blackhawks; however, Hossa certainly wasn't one of the stars of the series.

Plus, both seasons with Chicago, Hossa scored under 60 points.

He makes more than both Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, but produces less. That is a player that is not worth his price tag.

12. Joe Thornton

Joe Thornton's contract extension kicks in this coming season, with him making $8 million, $7 million and then $6 million over the next three years.

He made $7.2 million this past season.

Is he worth it? Yes

Thornton scored 70 points this past season. He was even better in the playoffs, scoring almost a point per game.

His effort helped him lead the San Jose Sharks to the WCF. If he continues to perform at this level, he'll continue to be worth his price tag.

11. Duncan Keith

This past season began Duncan Keith's 13-year, $72 million contract. He earned $8 million this past season and will earn the same amount the next two seasons.

Is he worth it? Yes

Keith helped the Chicago Blackhawks win their first Stanley Cup championship in decades and was rewarded with his hefty contract.

Keith won the Norris Trophy following the Blackhawks Cup win.

10. Dany Heatley

Dany Heatley is heading into the fourth year of his six-year, $45 million contract.

He made $10 million the first season and $8 million for the next three seasons, including this coming season.

Is he worth it? No

Heatley had back-to-back seasons where he scored over 100 points, in 2005-06 and 2006-07. Since then, he hasn't scored over 83 points.

His production has gone down, but his contract has obviously remained the same. He will be joining a new team in the fall though, so perhaps he'll be worth his contract again.

9. Jason Spezza

In 2008-09, Jason Spezza began his new contract for seven years and worth $49 million.

Spezza earned $8 million last season and will earn the same amount in each of the next two seasons.

Is he worth it? No

Spezza has scored 57 points in each of the last two seasons. At $8 million each, that's $140,350 a point.

To be fair though, Spezza spent a fourth of each of those seasons on the disabled list.

If he can remain healthy and increase his production, he'll prove he's worth his contract again.

8. Zdeno Chara

This coming season, Zdeno Chara begins his seven-year, $45.5 million contract extension.

He'll earn $8.5 million this year, a $1 million pay raise from last season.

Is he worth it? Yes

The perfect way to prove you're worthy of your new large contract is to go out and win a Stanley Cup championship, which Chara did.

He has won one Norris Trophy in 2009.

7. Alex Ovechkin

In 2008-09, Alex Ovechkin signed a 13-year, $124 million contract with the Washington Capitals.

He has earned $9 million since then and it won't increase to $10 million until the 2014-15 season.

Is he worth it? Yes

Many people have pointed out that Ovechkin's productivity decreased from 2009-10 to 2010-11. Which is true.

However, Ovechkin has scored over 100 points in four of his first six seasons, an impressive accomplishment.

Plus, even if Ovechkin scores less, which is still more than most players, he contributes in other ways, by making big hits.

6. Evgeni Malkin

Evgeni Malkin is entering the third year of his five-year contract worth $43.5 million.

He has earned $9 million each year since and will earn the same amount for the next two seasons.

Is he worth it? Yes

During his second and third years in the NHL, Malkin scored 106 points and 113 points respectively. The 113 points was good enough to win the Art Ross Trophy, the same year he and the Pittsburgh Penguins won the Stanley Cup.

His point totals have gone down, however he's missed more games. He scored 77 points in 2009-10 in just 67 games.

He scored 37 points this past season in 43 games, when not sidelined with a knee injury.

5. Sidney Crosby

Sidney Crosby is entering the second-to-last year of his five-year, $43.5 million deal.

Like Evgeni Malkin, Crosby earns $9 million for the first four years of his deal and $7.5 million the last year of his deal.

Is he worth it? Yes

As arguably the best player in the game, Crosby deserves any amount of money. He could be in for the biggest contract possible once his current contract is up, but Crosby is a team player and might take a hometown discount to remain in Pittsburgh.

At just 23 years old, Crosby has already won the Stanley Cup, an Olympic gold medal, the Hart Memorial Trophy, Lester P. Pearson Award, Rocket Richard Trophy and Art Ross Trophy.

It'll be interesting to see what other things he can accomplish, since he's accomplished so much already. (Assuming he makes a full recovery from his concussion.)

4. Christian Ehrhoff

Christian Ehrhoff will begin the first year of his 10-year, $40 million contract with the Buffalo Sabres in the fall.

He'll make $10 million in 2011-12.

Is he worth it? Probably not

To be clear, Ehrhoff is a talented defenseman and the Sabres were lucky to get him. However, his former teammate Kevin Bieksa was a better player and got marginally less.

Of course, Ehrhoff hit the open market, where defensemen were being re-signed by their respective teams, making less top blueliners available.

3. Ilya Bryzgalov

The Philadelphia Flyers were in dire need of an experienced goaltender in the hopes of winning the Stanley Cup.

They traded for and signed top goaltender prospective free agent Ilya Bryzgalov and signed him to a nine-year, $51 million deal. He'll make $10 million this first year.

Is he worth it? Probably not

True, Bryzgalov is a highly talented goaltender. However, he has a losing record in the playoffs, at 12-13. This could be explained by the Phoenix Coyotes team he played for, but could also be attributed to him.

If Bryzgalov can't deliver a Cup to Philly, he's nowhere near being worth that price tag.

2. Vincent Lecavalier

Vincent Lecavalier is entering the third year of his 11-year, $85 million deal.

Lecavalier makes $10 million per season until 2015-16.

Is he worth it? No

Ten million dollars is an exorbitant price for someone who has scored only 70 and 54 points in the two seasons he's played under his current contract.

While he showed signs of his younger self in the playoffs, there's no telling how much offense he will generate in the future.

1. Brad Richards

Brad Richards was the most sought-after free agent in this year's free agent market.

He signed with the New York Rangers for nine years at $60 million. He is set to receive $12 million this coming season and next.

Is he worth it? It remains to be seen.

Richards' $12 million salary in 2011-12 seems a bit high considering he's scored under 80 points in four of the last five seasons.

The Rangers obviously believe he can bounce back and score more as a member of their club.

That's why it remains to be seen whether or not he's worth that amount of money.