NHL: Naming One Overpaid Player from Each Team

Sometimes, general managers sign big-name players to the most outrageous contracts ever imagined. A lot of players do not live up to their huge contracts, no matter how good they may be.

Some general managers even sign huge contracts to players that are not even considered to be stars in the NHL. Some players even go unnoticed or unnamed.

Every team has at least one overpaid player within their roster.

Follow this slideshow to find out what player on your favorite NHL team is being paid way too much.

Anaheim Ducks: Jason Blake

Age is starting to catch up with the 38-year-old Jason Blake.

Since being traded to the Anaheim Ducks in the 2009-10 season, Blake has suited up for 120 games and has recorded 55 points.

Blake is being paid $4 million this season. However, the aging left winger will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

Boston Bruins: Marc Savard

Marc Savard can not help the fact that he has missed a lot of time due to a lagging concussion. The 34-year-old has only suited up for 66 games for the Bruins since the 2009-10 NHL season.

Despite being out due to injury, the Bruins still have to pay him an average of $4 million per season for the next six seasons.

No one can help Savard or the Bruins in this situation. All they can do is hope for the best.

Buffalo Sabres: Ville Leino

Ville Leino recorded career-high 53 points last season with the Philadelphia Flyers.

The Buffalo Sabres thought they were going to get much of the same production from Leino. Therefore, the Sabres decided to sign the forward.

Unfortunately, that hasn't been the case as Leino has produced a mere 15 points in 44 game so far this season.

Leino's contract is currently paying him an average of $4.5 million per season for the next six seasons.

Calgary Flames: Jay Bouwmeester

Early in Jay Bouwmeester's career, there was a lot of hype built around him. The young defenceman at the time was recording great numbers.

In his rookie season with the Florida Panthers, Bouwmeester recorded 46 points in 82 games. Those are great numbers for an NHL defenceman. During his time with the Panthers, Bouwmeester continued putting up respectable numbers.

Bouwmeester's production has dropped since joining the Calgary Flames in 2009. Since joining the Flames, the 28-year-old has only been able to produce 25-30 points per season, along with negative plus/minus ratings.

Bouwmeester is currently being paid an average of $6.68 million per season for the next three seasons, making him one of the most overpaid defencemen in the NHL.

Carolina Hurricanes: Eric Staal

It is safe to say that Eric Staal has not been having a good season for the Carolina Hurricanes. Staal is on pace for a career-low 59 points.

But even when Eric Staal is having a great season, he's not worth the money. Eric Staal is being paid an average of $8.25 million per season for the next five seasons.

This ranks among the highest-paid centers in the NHL.

Hopefully, Eric Staal can elevate his game for next season so the Carolina Hurricanes don't have to feel as bad paying him so much money.

Chicago Blackhawks: Nick Hjalmarsson

The Chicago Blackhawks pay their players better than any other team in the NHL. By "better," I mean accurately. Their are no players on the Chicago Blackhawks that are being outrageously overpaid.

However, I must pick one player.

Niklas Hjalmarsson is more of a "stay-at-home" defenceman. He does not put up very many points. The 24 year olds' career high is 17 points. However, he has sustained a positive plus/minus rating in all of his NHL seasons since 2008-09.

Hjalmarsson is being paid an average of $3.5 million per season for the next three seasons, which isn't too bad for a defensive defenceman.

Colorado Avalanche: Jan Hejda

At 33 years old, Jan Hejda hasn't been having a great first year with the Colorado Avalanche.

When the Avalanche decided to sign the defenceman in the offseason, they were hoping that he would be able to post solid defensive numbers for the team.

That however has not been the case. So far this season, Hejda has posted a career worse in the plus/minus category with a minus-16 in 56 games so far this season.

These are not great numbers for a defenceman that is being paid an average of $3.25 million per season for the next four seasons.

Columbus Blue Jackets: Rick Nash

Rick Nash is having one of the worst seasons of his career, as he is on pace to record 55 points by the end of the season. Nash is also bound to record his worst plus/minus rating since the 2003-04 season; as he is currently minus-22 on the year.

These are not great numbers for a player being paid an average of $7.8 million per season and will become an unrestricted free agent in 2018.

This amount of money is still too much to be paying a player, who hasn't even reached the 80 point plateau in his career. That can be blamed on small, lagging injuries throughout his NHL career.

All in all, $7.8 million per season is still too costly for the 27-year-old.

Dallas Stars: Mike Ribeiro

Mike Ribeiro of the Dallas Stars has posted 36 points in 47 games so far this season. His numbers are slightly down from previous seasons.

However, even when Ribeiro is playing at his best, is he really worth $5.0 million per season? Ribeiro still has two years left on his contract.

For a player that averages about 55-60 points in a season, $5 million per season is a little bit much in my opinion.

Detroit Red Wings: Jonathan Ericsson

The Detroit Red Wings are another team that pay their players well. By "well," I mean accurately. In some cases, they even under-pay their players.

Yet again, I must pick one player.

Jonathan Ericsson is a 27-year-old "stay-at-home" defenceman that does not produce much offense. So far this season, Ericsson has posted nine points in 56 games. However, he has been responsible in his own end, recording a plus/minus rating of plus-16.

Ericsson is being paid a little much, due to only proving himself as a reliable force on the back-end last season. He is currently making an average of $3.25 million per season for the next three seasons.

Edmonton Oilers: Ryan Smyth

There's no doubt that Ryan Smyth is the heart of Oil Country. However the 35-year-old forward is being paid way too much.

So far this season, Smyth has recorded 36 points in 55 games.

Those are respectable numbers for an aging forward. In the mean time, he is currently being paid $6.25 million this season, which is an awful a lot of money for a player that has not reached the 80 point plateau in his career.

Smyth is bound to be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. 

Florida Panthers: Scottie Upshall

Despite being bugged by injuries this season, Scottie Upshall still hasn't produced in the 17 games he has suited up for. In those games, Upshall has amounted for a total of three points.

This is not good enough for a forward being paid $3.5 million per season for the next four seasons.

Even if Upshall was not bugged by injury, $3.5 million per season is still a lot of money to be paying a player that has not surpassed 35 points in a season.

Los Angeles Kings: Dustin Penner

Dustin Penner has been cold all season long. In 43 games so far this season, the 29-year-old has posted 20 points with a minus-six rating.

These numbers are not good enough for a power forward being paid $4.25 million this year. It is even a little much for a player that has averaged approximately 40-45 points per season throughout his career.

Dustin Penner is bound to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

Minnesota Wild: Dany Heatley

Since arriving in Minnesota, Dany Heatley has not been playing his best hockey.

The 31-year-old winger is on pace to finish the season with a total of 57 points. These numbers are not good enough for a player being paid an average of $7.5 million per season for the next three seasons.

His drop in production can partially be blamed on the absence of centerman, Mikko Koivu. However, Dany Heatley must be better, even without the play-making center.

Hopefully Dany Heatley can get his game back for the start of next season.

Montreal Canadiens: Scott Gomez

When was the last time Scott Gomez scored a goal? The answer is February 9th, 2012.

When was the last time Scott Gomez scored a goal before February 9th? Just over a year.

Everyone is well aware that Scott Gomez was on one of the longest goal droughts in recent memory. It also doesn't help that the American centerman is being paid an average of $7.357 million per season, for the next three seasons.

Since joining Montreal in the 2009-10 season, Gomez has scored a mere 20 goals.

Gomez is arguably the most overpaid forward in all of hockey and his numbers prove that.

Nashville Predators: David Legwand

David Legwand has proven to be a great depth player for the Nashville Predators. Legwand has recorded 33 points in 52 games so far this season.

However, is $4.5 million per season a bit much for a player that has not met the 65 point plateau in his career?

Yes, it is a little bit much.

In the mean time, David Legwand surely deserves the extra cash as he has been a member of the Predators since being drafted in 1998.

David Legwand still has three years remaining on his current contract.

New Jersey Devils: Anton Volchenkov

Anton Volchenkov is more of a "stay-at-home" defenceman. In 48 games, Volchenkov has only posted eight points, along with a minus-six rating for the New Jersey Devils.

He needs to be a bit better on both sides of the puck to be considered a player worth his contract.

The 29-year-old Russian is currently being paid an average of $4.25 million per season for the next five seasons.

New York Islanders: Rick DiPietro

Rick DiPietro was once considered to be the "franchise" goaltender of the New York Islanders for years to come.

That hasn't been the case as he has appeared in 47 games over the past four seasons. In those 47 games, DiPietro has posted a 14-24-7 record.

Injuries have cost the goaltender much of his playing time.

This is definitely not good enough for a goaltender being paid $4.5 million per season to sit at home. To make matters worse, DiPietro does not become a free agent until the year 2021.

New York Rangers: Chris Drury (Boughtout/Retired)

The New York Rangers are another team that give their players the right amount of money. However, there is one player the Rangers still have to pay, despite being retired.

That would be former captain Chris Drury. It's unfortunate that Drury had to cut his career short due to injuries. It's also unfortunate that the Rangers had to part with the centerman so soon.

Even though he is retired, the Rangers still have to pay him approximately $3.7 million for this season and $1.67 million for next season.

There's nothing the Rangers can do about it as that money is tied up on a retiree and not a piece to the puzzle for a Stanley Cup run this season.

Ottawa Senators: Sergei Gonchar

There's no doubt that defenceman Sergei Gonchar has had an outstanding career.

However, his production has dropped from previous years due to aging. So far this season, Gonchar has posted 28 points in 51 games. These numbers are still respectable for a defenceman, but they do not compare to his career average of 60-65 points per season.

Gonchar is currently being paid an average of $5.5 million per season for the next two seasons.

It's a little much for an aging defenceman, but Gonchar has earned the money and deserves it.

Philadelphia Flyers: Ilya Bryzgalov

Ilya Bryzgalov has been off and on for the Philadelphia Flyers so far this season, posting a 19-11-6 record.

However, if the Russian netminder wants to live up to his contract, he will have to elevate his game a lot more.

Bryzgalov is is being paid an average of $5.66 million per season and is bound to become a free agent in the year 2020.

If Bryzgalov wants to stick around as the starter for the Flyers, he will have to elevate his game and fend off his young backup, Sergei Bobrovsky.

Phoenix Coyotes: Michal Rozsival

Michal Rozsival was a great two-way defenceman during his days with the New York Rangers.

However those numbers have dropped since arriving in Phoenix. Within the course of two seasons with the Coyotes, Rozsival has played in 61 games. During those games, Rozsival has only put up 13 points.

This is not good enough for a defenceman that is currently making $5 million this season.

The 33-year-old is bound to become a free agent by the end of the season.

Pittsburgh Penguins: Paul Martin

A two-way defenceman, 30-year-old Paul Martin is on pace to reach his usual average per season of approximately 30 points.

His defensive side has dropped slightly from last season, as he is currently a minus-six in the plus/minus category.

However, he is their highest paid defenceman, making an average of $5 million per season for the next four seasons.

This doesn't really make sense. Paul Martin does not make a huge impact to the Pittsburgh Penguins like teammates Kris Letang and Brooks Orpik. Therefore, Paul Martin is being overpaid.

San Jose Sharks: Martin Havlat

Martin Havlat is a 30-year-old winger who has been having a troubled season so far.

Havlat has only suited up for 26 games so far this season, due to a lower body injury. During those 26 games, Havlat has only been able to contribute with two goals and 15 points.

Havlat is currently being paid $5 million per season for the next four seasons. This is a bit much for someone that has only reached the 30-goal mark once in his career.

However, that isn't his fault as Havlat has been prone to small, lagging injuries throughout his NHL career.

St. Louis Blues: Andy McDonald

Andy McDonald hasn't been having the best of luck with the St. Louis Blues for the past season and a half.

The 34-year-old missed 26 games last season with a concussion and has only appeared in three games so far this season. In his three games this season, the forward recorded two assists.

It's unfortunate that McDonald can't help out his team on the ice. Instead, McDonald is being paid $4.7 million this season to sit on the sidelines.

McDonald's contract lasts for another two seasons, so hopefully he will be able to return soon and contribute to the St. Louis Blues.

Tampa Bay Lightning: Vincent Lecavalier

As captain of the the Lighting, 31-year-old Vincent Lecavalier has put up decent numbers each season.

The centerman has averaged approximately 70 points per season and is currently on pace to finish this season with 67 points.

But is Vincent Lecavalier really worth $7.72 million per season until the year 2020? By that time, Lecavalier will be nearing, if not finished, his NHL career.

Lecavalier is one of the highest-paid centers in the NHL and has been over-shadowed by the young Steven Stamkos. This makes Lecavalier even more likely to be considered overpaid.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Tim Connolly

Tim Connolly was expected to be the Leafs number one center this season, after Brian Burke signed him in the offseason.

The Leafs were initially going after centerman, Brad Richards. That goal failed as Richards decided to sign with the New York Rangers.

Connolly was considered to be Plan B for the Leafs to be their number one center. However, that duty has been shared between the emerging Tyler Bozak and 28-year-old Mikhail Grabovski.

So far this season, Connolly has posted 25 points in 44 games. This production needs to increase for a player being paid $4.75 million per season for the next two seasons.

Vancouver Canucks: Keith Ballard

Defenceman Keith Ballard has been experiencing a drop in his offensive and defensive numbers since joining the Canucks last season.

So far this season, the 29-year-old has recorded seven points in 47 games.

This is not typical for Ballard as he recorded approximately 30 points per season with the Florida Panthers.

Ballard is currently being paid $4.2 million per season for the next four seasons. This value would be acceptable if he continued producing like he did with the Florida Panthers. But in reality, that hasn't been the case.

Washington Capitals: Alexander Semin

Alexander Semin has experienced a drop off in his past two seasons with the Washington Capitals.

Last season, Semin finished with a total of 54 points. This season, he is on pace to finish with a total of 50 points.

This is not like the 27-year-old Russian winger. He usually records between 75-85 points per season. To make matters worse, Semin is being paid as high as some of the elite scorers in the league.

Semin is currently making $6.7 million this season and is bound to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

Winnipeg Jets: Ron Hainsey

Thirty-year-old defenceman, Ron Hainsey is more of a defensive defence-man for the Winnipeg Jets. But is he really worth $4.5 million per season for the next two seasons?

His defensive numbers are great. Hainsey is a plus-11 so far on the season.

However, his offensive numbers have suffered. In 33 games played this season, Hainsey has recorded nine assists.

Therefore, $4.5 million per season is a bit much for a one-way defenceman.