And now, the 1 most overrated players in the NHL...
10. Marian HossaMarian Hossa signed one of the biggest contracts in NHL history with the Chicago Blackhawks, earning $62.8 million over 12 years and causing an NHL investigation into the deal. Hossa responded to that contract by scoring 51 and 57 points in the past two seasons, winning the Stanley Cup in the process but not exactly lighting the world on fire in the scoring category. Hossa might be a dynamic power play contributor but he needs to start putting more pucks on net and start justifying that contract.
Oh, you gotta love controversy. When the term "overrated" is thrown around, fans tend to mention it in describing a player they hate: Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin, Steven Stamkos, etc. Of course, all of those players are bona fide superstars who have the ability to take over games at a moment's notice. But what about those players who are truly overrated? I'm talking about those players who get lots of hype or lots of money and consistently underachieve or blow big games. I have a feeling this one might set off a firestorm so, if you have any complaints, feel free to spout off in the comments section. Most of them will be ignored of course but hey, you can try. 25. Vincent Lecavalier  Elsa/Getty Images Might as well start with a big name, right?
Look, I'm a huge Vinnie Lecavalier fan but he's just not producing up to his contract anymore. Lecavalier signed an 11-year, $85 million contract in 2008 and has only 49 goals since that contract took effect. To put that in perspective, Lecavalier scored 52 goals in 2006-07 alone.
With lingering questions about his wrist since a surgery in 2009, many are wondering whether Lecavalier can return to the form that made him one of the most valuable players on the ice.
24. RJ Umberger  Christian Petersen/Getty Images It's hard for me to rip on the hometown boy but someone has to say it: I just don't think RJ Umberger is that great.
Now granted, he was buried on the depth chart in Philadelphia and isn't exactly surrounded by superstars in Columbus but Umberger is supposed to be that superstar.
Commanding almost $4 million a year from the Blue Jackets, Umberger has been a consistent 20-goal scorer the past three years but the only thing that's garnered Columbus is a quick exit from the playoffs via Detroit in 2009.
23. Sergei Gonchar  Jim McIsaac/Getty Images The minute I watched Sergei Gonchar get turned into a human turnstile by the Montreal Canadiens two seasons ago, I knew he had played his last game as a Penguin.
That, of course, did not stop the Ottawa Senators from giving him a 3-year, $16 million deal complete with a no-trade clause.
Gonchar was a great defenseman, one of the greatest offensive threats on the blue line in history but that is all in the past.
He hasn't played a full season since 2006-07 and has lost the speed that once made him great.
22. Wade Redden  Jim McIsaac/Getty Images Hey, technically he's still in the New York system, so he's allowed to be included on this list. The poster boy for free agent overspending, Wade Redden became the highest paid player in American Hockey League history after signing a six-year, $39 million contract and scoring a grand total of five goals after that (he scored 17 for the Senators at one point). New York Post writer Larry Brooks called the Redden deal "the worst in the history of the NHL, if not in the history of hard-cap pro sports." There's not really much else I can add to that. 21. Sean Horcoff  Doug Pensinger/Getty Images The captain of the Edmonton Oilers might lead in the locker room but on the ice is a completely different story.
The recipient of a six-year, $33-million contract in 2008, Horcoff has not topped 20 goals in four years and has only led the Oilers to three playoff appearances in ten seasons.
Certainly, his situation in western Canada isn't exactly ideal but you would expect your team captain to step up and deliver some goals, not shrink back and underachieve like his team.
Coincidentally, he's also best friends with an overrated player in another sport: New York Mets outfielder Jason Bay.
20. Olli Jokinen  Christian Petersen/Getty Images Unfortunately for Olli Jokinen, injuries have seemed to rob him of the prime of his career. In the past four seasons, Jokinen has missed 91 games due to injury and is a -45 during that time.
While still able to flash his scoring touch at times (17 goals last year for Calgary), the 30-goal scorer we knew in Florida seems to be a thing of the past.
19. Scottie Upshall  Christian Petersen/Getty Images Yet another player brought in to strengthen the weak Columbus offense, Scottie Upshall hasn't exactly been an offensive juggernaut during his career.
With a career high of 32 points, Upshall hasn't burned out any goal lights with his shooting and his defensive game leaves a bit to be desired: He was a -12 in only 21 games with Columbus last year.
While he's still a young player, Upshall needs to show a little more and grow into his role as a top player in the Blue Jacket lineup.
18. Dany Heatley  Ezra Shaw/Getty Images Don't get me wrong, Dany Heatley was once one of the most feared scorers in the NHL and absolutely dominated as a member of the Senators.
However, Heatley's regular season numbers have slid downwards in the past few seasons and he has a large glaring hole in his resume: His playoff performance.
In 66 career playoff games, Heatley only has 15 goals and only five in the past four seasons. To put that in perspective, Sidney Crosby has 30 goals in 62 games and Alex Ovechkin has 25 in 37 games.
If Heatley wants to be considered with elite company, he has to step up his game in the postseason.
17. Joel Ward  Rich Lam/Getty Images Sorry, I just don't see it.
Ward had a really good playoff series last year, leading his team in scoring with 13 points in 12 games. The Washington Capitals jumped at the chance to increase their offensive production, especially in the postseason where they have struggled in recent years.
However, Ward has only 40 goals in three NHL seasons (that's an average of 13 goals per year for all you math majors out there) and was a career minor leaguer before that.
The Caps threw $3 million per year at the guy, so I don't blame him for taking it but don't expect a sudden offensive outburst.
16. Maxime Talbot  Lou Capozzola/Getty Images Max Talbot is just an example how a great performance on a big stage can increase your value whether it's deserved or not.
Talbot was a great worker bee for the Penguins, helping them win a Stanley Cup in 2009 with two goals in Game 7 against the Red Wings.
However, since then, Talbot logged a grand total of 28 points and seemingly disappeared for weeks on end when the Penguins needed him the most.
His pain in the ass attitude will endear him to the Philadelphia crowd but, unless he plays every game like it's Game 7, the Flyer faithful are going to be disappointed.
15. Ed Jovanovski  Christian Petersen/Getty Images Jovanovski was quite the defenseman back in the day, a minutes workhorse who matched up against all the top fowards, Ed was a stalwart on the Vancouver blue line for years.
However, everyone gets old and no one, not even Ed Jovanovski, can avoid that.
Jovanovski is a -40 in the past three years, mostly due to the fact the he simply doesn't have the speed to make up for his risk-taking any longer.
While he does put the puck in the net on occasion still, his inconsistent defensive play might spell the end for one of the most solid D-guys in recent memory.
14. Tim Connolly  Rick Stewart/Getty Images Drafted fourth overall in 1999, Connolly was always expected to fulfill his expected potential and become an offensive force in the NHL.
It simply never happened.
Connolly has never topped 20 goals in his entire career but that didn't stop the Maple Leafs from signing him to a 2-year, $9.5 million contract.
Maybe he's going to help carry bags or something.
13. Jay Bouwmeester  Victor Decolongon/Getty Images No one is arguing with Jay Bouwmeester's ability to put pucks on net (even if only five went in during the past two seasons) but his lack of physicality is downright frustrating.
Put it this way, if Bouwmeester carried a purse on the ice, he would probably hit you with it if you went in front of the net.
A five-year, $33 million contract hasn't lit a fire under his butt either and Calgary seems to have gotten the raw end of that deal.
I'd list his playoff stats as well but there's only one problem: He's never been there.
12. Sean Avery  Jemal Countess/Getty Images This was the easiest entry on this list.
Sean Avery makes a mockery of hockey and I can't imagine why any self-respecting franchise would allow itself to employ such a man.
His career high in goals is 15 and he managed to alienate himself from his teammates in Dallas so quickly that he didn't have time to get suspended for anything serious.
His latest arrest for allegedly battering an LAPD police officer is just another example as to why this clown needs to go back to the bush leagues where he belongs.
11. Trent Hunter  Harry How/Getty Images Picking on a member of the New York Islanders is like bragging that you could beat a guy with a broken leg in a race, it's just not fair.
Hunter finished third in the Calder voting his rookie year and it's been all downhill since then. He's only played one full season since 2006 and has a grand total of 99 goals in 459 games.
While he is a respected penalty killer, Hunter is a career minus player and has never helped the Isles reach any level of respectability.
10. Marian Hossa  Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images Marian Hossa signed one of the biggest contracts in NHL history with the Chicago Blackhawks, earning $62.8 million over 12 years and causing an NHL investigation into the deal.
Hossa responded to that contract by scoring 51 and 57 points in the past two seasons, winning the Stanley Cup in the process but not exactly lighting the world on fire in the scoring category.
Hossa might be a dynamic power play contributor but he needs to start putting more pucks on net and start justifying that contract.
9. Brian Campbell Yet another infamous contract, Brian Campbell has a cap hit of $7.1 million to go along with his perennial underachievement. Campbell was a consistent 40 point defenseman until going to the Blackhawks for huge money and watching his point total plummet each year. While I'm certainly not saying that Campbell is a terrible player, it's just that $7 million is a little much to be paying a guy who only plays 60-some games and scores five goals. Oh, you gotta love controversy. When the term "overrated" is thrown around, fans tend to mention it in describing a player they hate: Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin, Steven Stamkos, etc. Of course, all of those players are bona fide superstars who have the ability to take over games at a moment's notice. But what about those players who are truly overrated? I'm talking about those players who get lots of hype or lots of money and consistently underachieve or blow big games. I have a feeling this one might set off a firestorm so, if you have any complaints, feel free to spout off in the comments section. Most of them will be ignored of course but hey, you can try. 25. Vincent Lecavalier Elsa/Getty Images Might as well start with a big name, right?
Look, I'm a huge Vinnie Lecavalier fan but he's just not producing up to his contract anymore. Lecavalier signed an 11-year, $85 million contract in 2008 and has only 49 goals since that contract took effect. To put that in perspective, Lecavalier scored 52 goals in 2006-07 alone.
With lingering questions about his wrist since a surgery in 2009, many are wondering whether Lecavalier can return to the form that made him one of the most valuable players on the ice.
24. RJ Umberger Christian Petersen/Getty Images It's hard for me to rip on the hometown boy but someone has to say it: I just don't think RJ Umberger is that great.
Now granted, he was buried on the depth chart in Philadelphia and isn't exactly surrounded by superstars in Columbus but Umberger is supposed to be that superstar.
Commanding almost $4 million a year from the Blue Jackets, Umberger has been a consistent 20-goal scorer the past three years but the only thing that's garnered Columbus is a quick exit from the playoffs via Detroit in 2009.
23. Sergei Gonchar Jim McIsaac/Getty Images The minute I watched Sergei Gonchar get turned into a human turnstile by the Montreal Canadiens two seasons ago, I knew he had played his last game as a Penguin.
That, of course, did not stop the Ottawa Senators from giving him a 3-year, $16 million deal complete with a no-trade clause.
Gonchar was a great defenseman, one of the greatest offensive threats on the blue line in history but that is all in the past.
He hasn't played a full season since 2006-07 and has lost the speed that once made him great.
22. Wade Redden Jim McIsaac/Getty Images Hey, technically he's still in the New York system, so he's allowed to be included on this list. The poster boy for free agent overspending, Wade Redden became the highest paid player in American Hockey League history after signing a six-year, $39 million contract and scoring a grand total of five goals after that (he scored 17 for the Senators at one point). New York Post writer Larry Brooks called the Redden deal "the worst in the history of the NHL, if not in the history of hard-cap pro sports." There's not really much else I can add to that. 21. Sean Horcoff Doug Pensinger/Getty Images The captain of the Edmonton Oilers might lead in the locker room but on the ice is a completely different story.
The recipient of a six-year, $33-million contract in 2008, Horcoff has not topped 20 goals in four years and has only led the Oilers to three playoff appearances in ten seasons.
Certainly, his situation in western Canada isn't exactly ideal but you would expect your team captain to step up and deliver some goals, not shrink back and underachieve like his team.
Coincidentally, he's also best friends with an overrated player in another sport: New York Mets outfielder Jason Bay.
20. Olli Jokinen Christian Petersen/Getty Images Unfortunately for Olli Jokinen, injuries have seemed to rob him of the prime of his career. In the past four seasons, Jokinen has missed 91 games due to injury and is a -45 during that time.
While still able to flash his scoring touch at times (17 goals last year for Calgary), the 30-goal scorer we knew in Florida seems to be a thing of the past.
19. Scottie Upshall Christian Petersen/Getty Images Yet another player brought in to strengthen the weak Columbus offense, Scottie Upshall hasn't exactly been an offensive juggernaut during his career.
With a career high of 32 points, Upshall hasn't burned out any goal lights with his shooting and his defensive game leaves a bit to be desired: He was a -12 in only 21 games with Columbus last year.
While he's still a young player, Upshall needs to show a little more and grow into his role as a top player in the Blue Jacket lineup.
18. Dany Heatley Ezra Shaw/Getty Images Don't get me wrong, Dany Heatley was once one of the most feared scorers in the NHL and absolutely dominated as a member of the Senators.
However, Heatley's regular season numbers have slid downwards in the past few seasons and he has a large glaring hole in his resume: His playoff performance.
In 66 career playoff games, Heatley only has 15 goals and only five in the past four seasons. To put that in perspective, Sidney Crosby has 30 goals in 62 games and Alex Ovechkin has 25 in 37 games.
If Heatley wants to be considered with elite company, he has to step up his game in the postseason.
17. Joel Ward Rich Lam/Getty Images Sorry, I just don't see it.
Ward had a really good playoff series last year, leading his team in scoring with 13 points in 12 games. The Washington Capitals jumped at the chance to increase their offensive production, especially in the postseason where they have struggled in recent years.
However, Ward has only 40 goals in three NHL seasons (that's an average of 13 goals per year for all you math majors out there) and was a career minor leaguer before that.
The Caps threw $3 million per year at the guy, so I don't blame him for taking it but don't expect a sudden offensive outburst.
16. Maxime Talbot Lou Capozzola/Getty Images Max Talbot is just an example how a great performance on a big stage can increase your value whether it's deserved or not.
Talbot was a great worker bee for the Penguins, helping them win a Stanley Cup in 2009 with two goals in Game 7 against the Red Wings.
However, since then, Talbot logged a grand total of 28 points and seemingly disappeared for weeks on end when the Penguins needed him the most.
His pain in the ass attitude will endear him to the Philadelphia crowd but, unless he plays every game like it's Game 7, the Flyer faithful are going to be disappointed.
15. Ed Jovanovski Christian Petersen/Getty Images Jovanovski was quite the defenseman back in the day, a minutes workhorse who matched up against all the top fowards, Ed was a stalwart on the Vancouver blue line for years.
However, everyone gets old and no one, not even Ed Jovanovski, can avoid that.
Jovanovski is a -40 in the past three years, mostly due to the fact the he simply doesn't have the speed to make up for his risk-taking any longer.
While he does put the puck in the net on occasion still, his inconsistent defensive play might spell the end for one of the most solid D-guys in recent memory.
14. Tim Connolly Rick Stewart/Getty Images Drafted fourth overall in 1999, Connolly was always expected to fulfill his expected potential and become an offensive force in the NHL.
It simply never happened.
Connolly has never topped 20 goals in his entire career but that didn't stop the Maple Leafs from signing him to a 2-year, $9.5 million contract.
Maybe he's going to help carry bags or something.
13. Jay Bouwmeester Victor Decolongon/Getty Images No one is arguing with Jay Bouwmeester's ability to put pucks on net (even if only five went in during the past two seasons) but his lack of physicality is downright frustrating.
Put it this way, if Bouwmeester carried a purse on the ice, he would probably hit you with it if you went in front of the net.
A five-year, $33 million contract hasn't lit a fire under his butt either and Calgary seems to have gotten the raw end of that deal.
I'd list his playoff stats as well but there's only one problem: He's never been there.
12. Sean Avery Jemal Countess/Getty Images This was the easiest entry on this list.
Sean Avery makes a mockery of hockey and I can't imagine why any self-respecting franchise would allow itself to employ such a man.
His career high in goals is 15 and he managed to alienate himself from his teammates in Dallas so quickly that he didn't have time to get suspended for anything serious.
His latest arrest for allegedly battering an LAPD police officer is just another example as to why this clown needs to go back to the bush leagues where he belongs.
11. Trent Hunter Harry How/Getty Images Picking on a member of the New York Islanders is like bragging that you could beat a guy with a broken leg in a race, it's just not fair.
Hunter finished third in the Calder voting his rookie year and it's been all downhill since then. He's only played one full season since 2006 and has a grand total of 99 goals in 459 games.
While he is a respected penalty killer, Hunter is a career minus player and has never helped the Isles reach any level of respectability.
10. Marian Hossa Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images Marian Hossa signed one of the biggest contracts in NHL history with the Chicago Blackhawks, earning $62.8 million over 12 years and causing an NHL investigation into the deal.
Hossa responded to that contract by scoring 51 and 57 points in the past two seasons, winning the Stanley Cup in the process but not exactly lighting the world on fire in the scoring category.
Hossa might be a dynamic power play contributor but he needs to start putting more pucks on net and start justifying that contract.
9. Brian Campbell  Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images Yet another infamous contract, Brian Campbell has a cap hit of $7.1 million to go along with his perennial underachievement.
Campbell was a consistent 40 point defenseman until going to the Blackhawks for huge money and watching his point total plummet each year.
While I'm certainly not saying that Campbell is a terrible player, it's just that $7 million is a little much to be paying a guy who only plays 60-some games and scores five goals.
8. Ville Leino This offseason definitely had a shortage of quality scoring wingers and, as a result, players like Leino got severely overpaid. Leino has played three seasons in the NHL and has scored 9, 6, and 19 goals respectively. Those aren't exactly numbers that make you stand up and cheer but apparently Buffalo thought they were worth $27 million over six years. 7. Mike Richards The hard partying Mike Richards was once anointed by Pierre McGuire as the best captain in the league. I guess if you were in a tight spot and really needed a keg and a tap, then Richards was the guy you called.
After the 2007-2008 season, the Flyers signed Richards to a huge 12-year contract extension worth $69 million and seemed to immediately regret it. A very good two-way player, Richards would be a great compliment to a team but, being paid like a superstar makes him overrated.
Oh, you gotta love controversy. When the term "overrated" is thrown around, fans tend to mention it in describing a player they hate: Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin, Steven Stamkos, etc. Of course, all of those players are bona fide superstars who have the ability to take over games at a moment's notice. But what about those players who are truly overrated? I'm talking about those players who get lots of hype or lots of money and consistently underachieve or blow big games. I have a feeling this one might set off a firestorm so, if you have any complaints, feel free to spout off in the comments section. Most of them will be ignored of course but hey, you can try. 25. Vincent Lecavalier Elsa/Getty Images Might as well start with a big name, right?
Look, I'm a huge Vinnie Lecavalier fan but he's just not producing up to his contract anymore. Lecavalier signed an 11-year, $85 million contract in 2008 and has only 49 goals since that contract took effect. To put that in perspective, Lecavalier scored 52 goals in 2006-07 alone.
With lingering questions about his wrist since a surgery in 2009, many are wondering whether Lecavalier can return to the form that made him one of the most valuable players on the ice.
24. RJ Umberger Christian Petersen/Getty Images It's hard for me to rip on the hometown boy but someone has to say it: I just don't think RJ Umberger is that great.
Now granted, he was buried on the depth chart in Philadelphia and isn't exactly surrounded by superstars in Columbus but Umberger is supposed to be that superstar.
Commanding almost $4 million a year from the Blue Jackets, Umberger has been a consistent 20-goal scorer the past three years but the only thing that's garnered Columbus is a quick exit from the playoffs via Detroit in 2009.
23. Sergei Gonchar Jim McIsaac/Getty Images The minute I watched Sergei Gonchar get turned into a human turnstile by the Montreal Canadiens two seasons ago, I knew he had played his last game as a Penguin.
That, of course, did not stop the Ottawa Senators from giving him a 3-year, $16 million deal complete with a no-trade clause.
Gonchar was a great defenseman, one of the greatest offensive threats on the blue line in history but that is all in the past.
He hasn't played a full season since 2006-07 and has lost the speed that once made him great.
22. Wade Redden Jim McIsaac/Getty Images Hey, technically he's still in the New York system, so he's allowed to be included on this list. The poster boy for free agent overspending, Wade Redden became the highest paid player in American Hockey League history after signing a six-year, $39 million contract and scoring a grand total of five goals after that (he scored 17 for the Senators at one point). New York Post writer Larry Brooks called the Redden deal "the worst in the history of the NHL, if not in the history of hard-cap pro sports." There's not really much else I can add to that. 21. Sean Horcoff Doug Pensinger/Getty Images The captain of the Edmonton Oilers might lead in the locker room but on the ice is a completely different story.
The recipient of a six-year, $33-million contract in 2008, Horcoff has not topped 20 goals in four years and has only led the Oilers to three playoff appearances in ten seasons.
Certainly, his situation in western Canada isn't exactly ideal but you would expect your team captain to step up and deliver some goals, not shrink back and underachieve like his team.
Coincidentally, he's also best friends with an overrated player in another sport: New York Mets outfielder Jason Bay.
20. Olli Jokinen Christian Petersen/Getty Images Unfortunately for Olli Jokinen, injuries have seemed to rob him of the prime of his career. In the past four seasons, Jokinen has missed 91 games due to injury and is a -45 during that time.
While still able to flash his scoring touch at times (17 goals last year for Calgary), the 30-goal scorer we knew in Florida seems to be a thing of the past.
19. Scottie Upshall Christian Petersen/Getty Images Yet another player brought in to strengthen the weak Columbus offense, Scottie Upshall hasn't exactly been an offensive juggernaut during his career.
With a career high of 32 points, Upshall hasn't burned out any goal lights with his shooting and his defensive game leaves a bit to be desired: He was a -12 in only 21 games with Columbus last year.
While he's still a young player, Upshall needs to show a little more and grow into his role as a top player in the Blue Jacket lineup.
18. Dany Heatley Ezra Shaw/Getty Images Don't get me wrong, Dany Heatley was once one of the most feared scorers in the NHL and absolutely dominated as a member of the Senators.
However, Heatley's regular season numbers have slid downwards in the past few seasons and he has a large glaring hole in his resume: His playoff performance.
In 66 career playoff games, Heatley only has 15 goals and only five in the past four seasons. To put that in perspective, Sidney Crosby has 30 goals in 62 games and Alex Ovechkin has 25 in 37 games.
If Heatley wants to be considered with elite company, he has to step up his game in the postseason.
17. Joel Ward Rich Lam/Getty Images Sorry, I just don't see it.
Ward had a really good playoff series last year, leading his team in scoring with 13 points in 12 games. The Washington Capitals jumped at the chance to increase their offensive production, especially in the postseason where they have struggled in recent years.
However, Ward has only 40 goals in three NHL seasons (that's an average of 13 goals per year for all you math majors out there) and was a career minor leaguer before that.
The Caps threw $3 million per year at the guy, so I don't blame him for taking it but don't expect a sudden offensive outburst.
16. Maxime Talbot Lou Capozzola/Getty Images Max Talbot is just an example how a great performance on a big stage can increase your value whether it's deserved or not.
Talbot was a great worker bee for the Penguins, helping them win a Stanley Cup in 2009 with two goals in Game 7 against the Red Wings.
However, since then, Talbot logged a grand total of 28 points and seemingly disappeared for weeks on end when the Penguins needed him the most.
His pain in the ass attitude will endear him to the Philadelphia crowd but, unless he plays every game like it's Game 7, the Flyer faithful are going to be disappointed.
15. Ed Jovanovski Christian Petersen/Getty Images Jovanovski was quite the defenseman back in the day, a minutes workhorse who matched up against all the top fowards, Ed was a stalwart on the Vancouver blue line for years.
However, everyone gets old and no one, not even Ed Jovanovski, can avoid that.
Jovanovski is a -40 in the past three years, mostly due to the fact the he simply doesn't have the speed to make up for his risk-taking any longer.
While he does put the puck in the net on occasion still, his inconsistent defensive play might spell the end for one of the most solid D-guys in recent memory.
14. Tim Connolly Rick Stewart/Getty Images Drafted fourth overall in 1999, Connolly was always expected to fulfill his expected potential and become an offensive force in the NHL.
It simply never happened.
Connolly has never topped 20 goals in his entire career but that didn't stop the Maple Leafs from signing him to a 2-year, $9.5 million contract.
Maybe he's going to help carry bags or something.
13. Jay Bouwmeester Victor Decolongon/Getty Images No one is arguing with Jay Bouwmeester's ability to put pucks on net (even if only five went in during the past two seasons) but his lack of physicality is downright frustrating.
Put it this way, if Bouwmeester carried a purse on the ice, he would probably hit you with it if you went in front of the net.
A five-year, $33 million contract hasn't lit a fire under his butt either and Calgary seems to have gotten the raw end of that deal.
I'd list his playoff stats as well but there's only one problem: He's never been there.
12. Sean Avery Jemal Countess/Getty Images This was the easiest entry on this list.
Sean Avery makes a mockery of hockey and I can't imagine why any self-respecting franchise would allow itself to employ such a man.
His career high in goals is 15 and he managed to alienate himself from his teammates in Dallas so quickly that he didn't have time to get suspended for anything serious.
His latest arrest for allegedly battering an LAPD police officer is just another example as to why this clown needs to go back to the bush leagues where he belongs.
11. Trent Hunter Harry How/Getty Images Picking on a member of the New York Islanders is like bragging that you could beat a guy with a broken leg in a race, it's just not fair.
Hunter finished third in the Calder voting his rookie year and it's been all downhill since then. He's only played one full season since 2006 and has a grand total of 99 goals in 459 games.
While he is a respected penalty killer, Hunter is a career minus player and has never helped the Isles reach any level of respectability.
10. Marian Hossa Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images Marian Hossa signed one of the biggest contracts in NHL history with the Chicago Blackhawks, earning $62.8 million over 12 years and causing an NHL investigation into the deal.
Hossa responded to that contract by scoring 51 and 57 points in the past two seasons, winning the Stanley Cup in the process but not exactly lighting the world on fire in the scoring category.
Hossa might be a dynamic power play contributor but he needs to start putting more pucks on net and start justifying that contract.
9. Brian Campbell Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images Yet another infamous contract, Brian Campbell has a cap hit of $7.1 million to go along with his perennial underachievement.
Campbell was a consistent 40 point defenseman until going to the Blackhawks for huge money and watching his point total plummet each year.
While I'm certainly not saying that Campbell is a terrible player, it's just that $7 million is a little much to be paying a guy who only plays 60-some games and scores five goals.
8. Ville Leino  Paul Bereswill/Getty Images This offseason definitely had a shortage of quality scoring wingers and, as a result, players like Leino got severely overpaid.
Leino has played three seasons in the NHL and has scored 9, 6, and 19 goals respectively. Those aren't exactly numbers that make you stand up and cheer but apparently Buffalo thought they were worth $27 million over six years.
7. Mike Richards  Paul Bereswill/Getty Images The hard partying Mike Richards was once anointed by Pierre McGuire as the best captain in the league. I guess if you were in a tight spot and really needed a keg and a tap, then Richards was the guy you called.
After the 2007-2008 season, the Flyers signed Richards to a huge 12-year contract extension worth $69 million and seemed to immediately regret it.
A very good two-way player, Richards would be a great compliment to a team but, being paid like a superstar makes him overrated.
6. Scott Gomez $8 million for Scott Gomez? These general managers are aware there is a salary cap, correct? The kings of giving out ridiculous contracts, the New York Rangers, handed Gomez an insane $51.5 million, seven-year contract and Gomez responded by, well, being himself. The problem was that Scott Gomez being himself translated to 32 goals over three seasons and a severe cap problem for the Rangers. More recently, Gomez scored seven goals last year with the Canadiens and was a minus 15. Needless to say, the Rangers pretty much set the bar for terrible contracts in the last decade.
Oh, you gotta love controversy. When the term "overrated" is thrown around, fans tend to mention it in describing a player they hate: Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin, Steven Stamkos, etc. Of course, all of those players are bona fide superstars who have the ability to take over games at a moment's notice. But what about those players who are truly overrated? I'm talking about those players who get lots of hype or lots of money and consistently underachieve or blow big games. I have a feeling this one might set off a firestorm so, if you have any complaints, feel free to spout off in the comments section. Most of them will be ignored of course but hey, you can try. 25. Vincent Lecavalier Elsa/Getty Images Might as well start with a big name, right?
Look, I'm a huge Vinnie Lecavalier fan but he's just not producing up to his contract anymore. Lecavalier signed an 11-year, $85 million contract in 2008 and has only 49 goals since that contract took effect. To put that in perspective, Lecavalier scored 52 goals in 2006-07 alone.
With lingering questions about his wrist since a surgery in 2009, many are wondering whether Lecavalier can return to the form that made him one of the most valuable players on the ice.
24. RJ Umberger Christian Petersen/Getty Images It's hard for me to rip on the hometown boy but someone has to say it: I just don't think RJ Umberger is that great.
Now granted, he was buried on the depth chart in Philadelphia and isn't exactly surrounded by superstars in Columbus but Umberger is supposed to be that superstar.
Commanding almost $4 million a year from the Blue Jackets, Umberger has been a consistent 20-goal scorer the past three years but the only thing that's garnered Columbus is a quick exit from the playoffs via Detroit in 2009.
23. Sergei Gonchar Jim McIsaac/Getty Images The minute I watched Sergei Gonchar get turned into a human turnstile by the Montreal Canadiens two seasons ago, I knew he had played his last game as a Penguin.
That, of course, did not stop the Ottawa Senators from giving him a 3-year, $16 million deal complete with a no-trade clause.
Gonchar was a great defenseman, one of the greatest offensive threats on the blue line in history but that is all in the past.
He hasn't played a full season since 2006-07 and has lost the speed that once made him great.
22. Wade Redden Jim McIsaac/Getty Images Hey, technically he's still in the New York system, so he's allowed to be included on this list. The poster boy for free agent overspending, Wade Redden became the highest paid player in American Hockey League history after signing a six-year, $39 million contract and scoring a grand total of five goals after that (he scored 17 for the Senators at one point). New York Post writer Larry Brooks called the Redden deal "the worst in the history of the NHL, if not in the history of hard-cap pro sports." There's not really much else I can add to that. 21. Sean Horcoff Doug Pensinger/Getty Images The captain of the Edmonton Oilers might lead in the locker room but on the ice is a completely different story.
The recipient of a six-year, $33-million contract in 2008, Horcoff has not topped 20 goals in four years and has only led the Oilers to three playoff appearances in ten seasons.
Certainly, his situation in western Canada isn't exactly ideal but you would expect your team captain to step up and deliver some goals, not shrink back and underachieve like his team.
Coincidentally, he's also best friends with an overrated player in another sport: New York Mets outfielder Jason Bay.
20. Olli Jokinen Christian Petersen/Getty Images Unfortunately for Olli Jokinen, injuries have seemed to rob him of the prime of his career. In the past four seasons, Jokinen has missed 91 games due to injury and is a -45 during that time.
While still able to flash his scoring touch at times (17 goals last year for Calgary), the 30-goal scorer we knew in Florida seems to be a thing of the past.
19. Scottie Upshall Christian Petersen/Getty Images Yet another player brought in to strengthen the weak Columbus offense, Scottie Upshall hasn't exactly been an offensive juggernaut during his career.
With a career high of 32 points, Upshall hasn't burned out any goal lights with his shooting and his defensive game leaves a bit to be desired: He was a -12 in only 21 games with Columbus last year.
While he's still a young player, Upshall needs to show a little more and grow into his role as a top player in the Blue Jacket lineup.
18. Dany Heatley Ezra Shaw/Getty Images Don't get me wrong, Dany Heatley was once one of the most feared scorers in the NHL and absolutely dominated as a member of the Senators.
However, Heatley's regular season numbers have slid downwards in the past few seasons and he has a large glaring hole in his resume: His playoff performance.
In 66 career playoff games, Heatley only has 15 goals and only five in the past four seasons. To put that in perspective, Sidney Crosby has 30 goals in 62 games and Alex Ovechkin has 25 in 37 games.
If Heatley wants to be considered with elite company, he has to step up his game in the postseason.
17. Joel Ward Rich Lam/Getty Images Sorry, I just don't see it.
Ward had a really good playoff series last year, leading his team in scoring with 13 points in 12 games. The Washington Capitals jumped at the chance to increase their offensive production, especially in the postseason where they have struggled in recent years.
However, Ward has only 40 goals in three NHL seasons (that's an average of 13 goals per year for all you math majors out there) and was a career minor leaguer before that.
The Caps threw $3 million per year at the guy, so I don't blame him for taking it but don't expect a sudden offensive outburst.
16. Maxime Talbot Lou Capozzola/Getty Images Max Talbot is just an example how a great performance on a big stage can increase your value whether it's deserved or not.
Talbot was a great worker bee for the Penguins, helping them win a Stanley Cup in 2009 with two goals in Game 7 against the Red Wings.
However, since then, Talbot logged a grand total of 28 points and seemingly disappeared for weeks on end when the Penguins needed him the most.
His pain in the ass attitude will endear him to the Philadelphia crowd but, unless he plays every game like it's Game 7, the Flyer faithful are going to be disappointed.
15. Ed Jovanovski Christian Petersen/Getty Images Jovanovski was quite the defenseman back in the day, a minutes workhorse who matched up against all the top fowards, Ed was a stalwart on the Vancouver blue line for years.
However, everyone gets old and no one, not even Ed Jovanovski, can avoid that.
Jovanovski is a -40 in the past three years, mostly due to the fact the he simply doesn't have the speed to make up for his risk-taking any longer.
While he does put the puck in the net on occasion still, his inconsistent defensive play might spell the end for one of the most solid D-guys in recent memory.
14. Tim Connolly Rick Stewart/Getty Images Drafted fourth overall in 1999, Connolly was always expected to fulfill his expected potential and become an offensive force in the NHL.
It simply never happened.
Connolly has never topped 20 goals in his entire career but that didn't stop the Maple Leafs from signing him to a 2-year, $9.5 million contract.
Maybe he's going to help carry bags or something.
13. Jay Bouwmeester Victor Decolongon/Getty Images No one is arguing with Jay Bouwmeester's ability to put pucks on net (even if only five went in during the past two seasons) but his lack of physicality is downright frustrating.
Put it this way, if Bouwmeester carried a purse on the ice, he would probably hit you with it if you went in front of the net.
A five-year, $33 million contract hasn't lit a fire under his butt either and Calgary seems to have gotten the raw end of that deal.
I'd list his playoff stats as well but there's only one problem: He's never been there.
12. Sean Avery Jemal Countess/Getty Images This was the easiest entry on this list.
Sean Avery makes a mockery of hockey and I can't imagine why any self-respecting franchise would allow itself to employ such a man.
His career high in goals is 15 and he managed to alienate himself from his teammates in Dallas so quickly that he didn't have time to get suspended for anything serious.
His latest arrest for allegedly battering an LAPD police officer is just another example as to why this clown needs to go back to the bush leagues where he belongs.
11. Trent Hunter Harry How/Getty Images Picking on a member of the New York Islanders is like bragging that you could beat a guy with a broken leg in a race, it's just not fair.
Hunter finished third in the Calder voting his rookie year and it's been all downhill since then. He's only played one full season since 2006 and has a grand total of 99 goals in 459 games.
While he is a respected penalty killer, Hunter is a career minus player and has never helped the Isles reach any level of respectability.
10. Marian Hossa Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images Marian Hossa signed one of the biggest contracts in NHL history with the Chicago Blackhawks, earning $62.8 million over 12 years and causing an NHL investigation into the deal.
Hossa responded to that contract by scoring 51 and 57 points in the past two seasons, winning the Stanley Cup in the process but not exactly lighting the world on fire in the scoring category.
Hossa might be a dynamic power play contributor but he needs to start putting more pucks on net and start justifying that contract.
9. Brian Campbell Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images Yet another infamous contract, Brian Campbell has a cap hit of $7.1 million to go along with his perennial underachievement.
Campbell was a consistent 40 point defenseman until going to the Blackhawks for huge money and watching his point total plummet each year.
While I'm certainly not saying that Campbell is a terrible player, it's just that $7 million is a little much to be paying a guy who only plays 60-some games and scores five goals.
8. Ville Leino Paul Bereswill/Getty Images This offseason definitely had a shortage of quality scoring wingers and, as a result, players like Leino got severely overpaid.
Leino has played three seasons in the NHL and has scored 9, 6, and 19 goals respectively. Those aren't exactly numbers that make you stand up and cheer but apparently Buffalo thought they were worth $27 million over six years.
7. Mike Richards Paul Bereswill/Getty Images The hard partying Mike Richards was once anointed by Pierre McGuire as the best captain in the league. I guess if you were in a tight spot and really needed a keg and a tap, then Richards was the guy you called.
After the 2007-2008 season, the Flyers signed Richards to a huge 12-year contract extension worth $69 million and seemed to immediately regret it.
A very good two-way player, Richards would be a great compliment to a team but, being paid like a superstar makes him overrated.
6. Scott Gomez  Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images $8 million for Scott Gomez? These general managers are aware there is a salary cap, correct?
The kings of giving out ridiculous contracts, the New York Rangers, handed Gomez an insane $51.5 million, seven-year contract and Gomez responded by, well, being himself.
The problem was that Scott Gomez being himself translated to 32 goals over three seasons and a severe cap problem for the Rangers.
More recently, Gomez scored seven goals last year with the Canadiens and was a minus 15. Needless to say, the Rangers pretty much set the bar for terrible contracts in the last decade.
5. Zach BogosianThis is another case where I just don't see where all the hype is coming from. Zach Bogosian is a young player but he's been touted as the next coming of Nick Lidstrom and I don't understand why. He's a -45 in the past two seasons and had 17 points in 71 games last year. Those aren't exactly numbers that cause you to reserve a spot in the All-Star game for him. Bogosian might grow into himself or, better, get traded to a team with some talent on it and prove me wrong but for now, he' just another overrated player. 4. Roberto Luongo Here comes the hate mail. Roberto Luongo is a great regular season goaltender, there is not a question about that but it's no secret that he comes apart when all the chips are on the table in the playoffs. Some people like to point to his Olympic gold medal as proof of his greatness but there are two problems with that: 1. He allowed Zach Parise to score with 25 seconds left in the game to tie it and send it to overtime. 2. Sidney Crosby bailed his ass out. Add to that his implosions during last year's playoffs and we have ourselves and overrated player. If Roberto wants to be considered an elite goaltender, he has to keep it together when the weather starts to get warm. Oh, you gotta love controversy. When the term "overrated" is thrown around, fans tend to mention it in describing a player they hate: Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin, Steven Stamkos, etc. Of course, all of those players are bona fide superstars who have the ability to take over games at a moment's notice. But what about those players who are truly overrated? I'm talking about those players who get lots of hype or lots of money and consistently underachieve or blow big games. I have a feeling this one might set off a firestorm so, if you have any complaints, feel free to spout off in the comments section. Most of them will be ignored of course but hey, you can try. 25. Vincent Lecavalier Elsa/Getty Images Might as well start with a big name, right?
Look, I'm a huge Vinnie Lecavalier fan but he's just not producing up to his contract anymore. Lecavalier signed an 11-year, $85 million contract in 2008 and has only 49 goals since that contract took effect. To put that in perspective, Lecavalier scored 52 goals in 2006-07 alone.
With lingering questions about his wrist since a surgery in 2009, many are wondering whether Lecavalier can return to the form that made him one of the most valuable players on the ice.
24. RJ Umberger Christian Petersen/Getty Images It's hard for me to rip on the hometown boy but someone has to say it: I just don't think RJ Umberger is that great.
Now granted, he was buried on the depth chart in Philadelphia and isn't exactly surrounded by superstars in Columbus but Umberger is supposed to be that superstar.
Commanding almost $4 million a year from the Blue Jackets, Umberger has been a consistent 20-goal scorer the past three years but the only thing that's garnered Columbus is a quick exit from the playoffs via Detroit in 2009.
23. Sergei Gonchar Jim McIsaac/Getty Images The minute I watched Sergei Gonchar get turned into a human turnstile by the Montreal Canadiens two seasons ago, I knew he had played his last game as a Penguin.
That, of course, did not stop the Ottawa Senators from giving him a 3-year, $16 million deal complete with a no-trade clause.
Gonchar was a great defenseman, one of the greatest offensive threats on the blue line in history but that is all in the past.
He hasn't played a full season since 2006-07 and has lost the speed that once made him great.
22. Wade Redden Jim McIsaac/Getty Images Hey, technically he's still in the New York system, so he's allowed to be included on this list. The poster boy for free agent overspending, Wade Redden became the highest paid player in American Hockey League history after signing a six-year, $39 million contract and scoring a grand total of five goals after that (he scored 17 for the Senators at one point). New York Post writer Larry Brooks called the Redden deal "the worst in the history of the NHL, if not in the history of hard-cap pro sports." There's not really much else I can add to that. 21. Sean Horcoff Doug Pensinger/Getty Images The captain of the Edmonton Oilers might lead in the locker room but on the ice is a completely different story.
The recipient of a six-year, $33-million contract in 2008, Horcoff has not topped 20 goals in four years and has only led the Oilers to three playoff appearances in ten seasons.
Certainly, his situation in western Canada isn't exactly ideal but you would expect your team captain to step up and deliver some goals, not shrink back and underachieve like his team.
Coincidentally, he's also best friends with an overrated player in another sport: New York Mets outfielder Jason Bay.
20. Olli Jokinen Christian Petersen/Getty Images Unfortunately for Olli Jokinen, injuries have seemed to rob him of the prime of his career. In the past four seasons, Jokinen has missed 91 games due to injury and is a -45 during that time.
While still able to flash his scoring touch at times (17 goals last year for Calgary), the 30-goal scorer we knew in Florida seems to be a thing of the past.
19. Scottie Upshall Christian Petersen/Getty Images Yet another player brought in to strengthen the weak Columbus offense, Scottie Upshall hasn't exactly been an offensive juggernaut during his career.
With a career high of 32 points, Upshall hasn't burned out any goal lights with his shooting and his defensive game leaves a bit to be desired: He was a -12 in only 21 games with Columbus last year.
While he's still a young player, Upshall needs to show a little more and grow into his role as a top player in the Blue Jacket lineup.
18. Dany Heatley Ezra Shaw/Getty Images Don't get me wrong, Dany Heatley was once one of the most feared scorers in the NHL and absolutely dominated as a member of the Senators.
However, Heatley's regular season numbers have slid downwards in the past few seasons and he has a large glaring hole in his resume: His playoff performance.
In 66 career playoff games, Heatley only has 15 goals and only five in the past four seasons. To put that in perspective, Sidney Crosby has 30 goals in 62 games and Alex Ovechkin has 25 in 37 games.
If Heatley wants to be considered with elite company, he has to step up his game in the postseason.
17. Joel Ward Rich Lam/Getty Images Sorry, I just don't see it.
Ward had a really good playoff series last year, leading his team in scoring with 13 points in 12 games. The Washington Capitals jumped at the chance to increase their offensive production, especially in the postseason where they have struggled in recent years.
However, Ward has only 40 goals in three NHL seasons (that's an average of 13 goals per year for all you math majors out there) and was a career minor leaguer before that.
The Caps threw $3 million per year at the guy, so I don't blame him for taking it but don't expect a sudden offensive outburst.
16. Maxime Talbot Lou Capozzola/Getty Images Max Talbot is just an example how a great performance on a big stage can increase your value whether it's deserved or not.
Talbot was a great worker bee for the Penguins, helping them win a Stanley Cup in 2009 with two goals in Game 7 against the Red Wings.
However, since then, Talbot logged a grand total of 28 points and seemingly disappeared for weeks on end when the Penguins needed him the most.
His pain in the ass attitude will endear him to the Philadelphia crowd but, unless he plays every game like it's Game 7, the Flyer faithful are going to be disappointed.
15. Ed Jovanovski Christian Petersen/Getty Images Jovanovski was quite the defenseman back in the day, a minutes workhorse who matched up against all the top fowards, Ed was a stalwart on the Vancouver blue line for years.
However, everyone gets old and no one, not even Ed Jovanovski, can avoid that.
Jovanovski is a -40 in the past three years, mostly due to the fact the he simply doesn't have the speed to make up for his risk-taking any longer.
While he does put the puck in the net on occasion still, his inconsistent defensive play might spell the end for one of the most solid D-guys in recent memory.
14. Tim Connolly Rick Stewart/Getty Images Drafted fourth overall in 1999, Connolly was always expected to fulfill his expected potential and become an offensive force in the NHL.
It simply never happened.
Connolly has never topped 20 goals in his entire career but that didn't stop the Maple Leafs from signing him to a 2-year, $9.5 million contract.
Maybe he's going to help carry bags or something.
13. Jay Bouwmeester Victor Decolongon/Getty Images No one is arguing with Jay Bouwmeester's ability to put pucks on net (even if only five went in during the past two seasons) but his lack of physicality is downright frustrating.
Put it this way, if Bouwmeester carried a purse on the ice, he would probably hit you with it if you went in front of the net.
A five-year, $33 million contract hasn't lit a fire under his butt either and Calgary seems to have gotten the raw end of that deal.
I'd list his playoff stats as well but there's only one problem: He's never been there.
12. Sean Avery Jemal Countess/Getty Images This was the easiest entry on this list.
Sean Avery makes a mockery of hockey and I can't imagine why any self-respecting franchise would allow itself to employ such a man.
His career high in goals is 15 and he managed to alienate himself from his teammates in Dallas so quickly that he didn't have time to get suspended for anything serious.
His latest arrest for allegedly battering an LAPD police officer is just another example as to why this clown needs to go back to the bush leagues where he belongs.
11. Trent Hunter Harry How/Getty Images Picking on a member of the New York Islanders is like bragging that you could beat a guy with a broken leg in a race, it's just not fair.
Hunter finished third in the Calder voting his rookie year and it's been all downhill since then. He's only played one full season since 2006 and has a grand total of 99 goals in 459 games.
While he is a respected penalty killer, Hunter is a career minus player and has never helped the Isles reach any level of respectability.
10. Marian Hossa Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images Marian Hossa signed one of the biggest contracts in NHL history with the Chicago Blackhawks, earning $62.8 million over 12 years and causing an NHL investigation into the deal.
Hossa responded to that contract by scoring 51 and 57 points in the past two seasons, winning the Stanley Cup in the process but not exactly lighting the world on fire in the scoring category.
Hossa might be a dynamic power play contributor but he needs to start putting more pucks on net and start justifying that contract.
9. Brian Campbell Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images Yet another infamous contract, Brian Campbell has a cap hit of $7.1 million to go along with his perennial underachievement.
Campbell was a consistent 40 point defenseman until going to the Blackhawks for huge money and watching his point total plummet each year.
While I'm certainly not saying that Campbell is a terrible player, it's just that $7 million is a little much to be paying a guy who only plays 60-some games and scores five goals.
8. Ville Leino Paul Bereswill/Getty Images This offseason definitely had a shortage of quality scoring wingers and, as a result, players like Leino got severely overpaid.
Leino has played three seasons in the NHL and has scored 9, 6, and 19 goals respectively. Those aren't exactly numbers that make you stand up and cheer but apparently Buffalo thought they were worth $27 million over six years.
7. Mike Richards Paul Bereswill/Getty Images The hard partying Mike Richards was once anointed by Pierre McGuire as the best captain in the league. I guess if you were in a tight spot and really needed a keg and a tap, then Richards was the guy you called.
After the 2007-2008 season, the Flyers signed Richards to a huge 12-year contract extension worth $69 million and seemed to immediately regret it.
A very good two-way player, Richards would be a great compliment to a team but, being paid like a superstar makes him overrated.
6. Scott Gomez Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images $8 million for Scott Gomez? These general managers are aware there is a salary cap, correct?
The kings of giving out ridiculous contracts, the New York Rangers, handed Gomez an insane $51.5 million, seven-year contract and Gomez responded by, well, being himself.
The problem was that Scott Gomez being himself translated to 32 goals over three seasons and a severe cap problem for the Rangers.
More recently, Gomez scored seven goals last year with the Canadiens and was a minus 15. Needless to say, the Rangers pretty much set the bar for terrible contracts in the last decade.
5. Zach Bogosian  Bruce Bennett/Getty Images This is another case where I just don't see where all the hype is coming from.
Zach Bogosian is a young player but he's been touted as the next coming of Nick Lidstrom and I don't understand why. He's a -45 in the past two seasons and had 17 points in 71 games last year. Those aren't exactly numbers that cause you to reserve a spot in the All-Star game for him.
Bogosian might grow into himself or, better, get traded to a team with some talent on it and prove me wrong but for now, he' just another overrated player.
Zach Bogosian 4. Roberto Luongo  Rich Lam/Getty Images Here comes the hate mail.
Roberto Luongo is a great regular season goaltender, there is not a question about that but it's no secret that he comes apart when all the chips are on the table in the playoffs.
Some people like to point to his Olympic gold medal as proof of his greatness but there are two problems with that:
1. He allowed Zach Parise to score with 25 seconds left in the game to tie it and send it to overtime.
2. Sidney Crosby bailed his ass out.
Add to that his implosions during last year's playoffs and we have ourselves and overrated player. If Roberto wants to be considered an elite goaltender, he has to keep it together when the weather starts to get warm.
3. Chris Drury Yes, he just recently got bought out but that doesn't change the fact that, until two weeks ago, he was making $8 million per year. Did I mention he scored one goal last year? Yep, and 14 the year before in case that changes your mind a little bit. I'll give you one guess who gave him that ridiculous contract, Drury made about $32 million in the past four years and he responded with 52 goals. He scored 37 the year before the Rangers signed him so, needless to say, his career is on the downswing. 2. Dion Phaneuf Dion Phaneuf won an award in 2010. No, it wasn't the Norris and it certainly wasn't the Hart. He was voted the Most Overrated Player in the NHL by his fellow players.
Yikes.
Once seen as one of the most promising young defensemen in the league, Phaneuf's point production plummeted once he left Calgary and only scored 30 points last year (he had 60 in 2007). The worst part of the this whole thing might be the fact that he's the captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Remember when that used to mean something?
Yeah, me neither.
Oh, you gotta love controversy. When the term "overrated" is thrown around, fans tend to mention it in describing a player they hate: Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin, Steven Stamkos, etc. Of course, all of those players are bona fide superstars who have the ability to take over games at a moment's notice. But what about those players who are truly overrated? I'm talking about those players who get lots of hype or lots of money and consistently underachieve or blow big games. I have a feeling this one might set off a firestorm so, if you have any complaints, feel free to spout off in the comments section. Most of them will be ignored of course but hey, you can try. 25. Vincent Lecavalier Elsa/Getty Images Might as well start with a big name, right?
Look, I'm a huge Vinnie Lecavalier fan but he's just not producing up to his contract anymore. Lecavalier signed an 11-year, $85 million contract in 2008 and has only 49 goals since that contract took effect. To put that in perspective, Lecavalier scored 52 goals in 2006-07 alone.
With lingering questions about his wrist since a surgery in 2009, many are wondering whether Lecavalier can return to the form that made him one of the most valuable players on the ice.
24. RJ Umberger Christian Petersen/Getty Images It's hard for me to rip on the hometown boy but someone has to say it: I just don't think RJ Umberger is that great.
Now granted, he was buried on the depth chart in Philadelphia and isn't exactly surrounded by superstars in Columbus but Umberger is supposed to be that superstar.
Commanding almost $4 million a year from the Blue Jackets, Umberger has been a consistent 20-goal scorer the past three years but the only thing that's garnered Columbus is a quick exit from the playoffs via Detroit in 2009.
23. Sergei Gonchar Jim McIsaac/Getty Images The minute I watched Sergei Gonchar get turned into a human turnstile by the Montreal Canadiens two seasons ago, I knew he had played his last game as a Penguin.
That, of course, did not stop the Ottawa Senators from giving him a 3-year, $16 million deal complete with a no-trade clause.
Gonchar was a great defenseman, one of the greatest offensive threats on the blue line in history but that is all in the past.
He hasn't played a full season since 2006-07 and has lost the speed that once made him great.
22. Wade Redden Jim McIsaac/Getty Images Hey, technically he's still in the New York system, so he's allowed to be included on this list. The poster boy for free agent overspending, Wade Redden became the highest paid player in American Hockey League history after signing a six-year, $39 million contract and scoring a grand total of five goals after that (he scored 17 for the Senators at one point). New York Post writer Larry Brooks called the Redden deal "the worst in the history of the NHL, if not in the history of hard-cap pro sports." There's not really much else I can add to that. 21. Sean Horcoff Doug Pensinger/Getty Images The captain of the Edmonton Oilers might lead in the locker room but on the ice is a completely different story.
The recipient of a six-year, $33-million contract in 2008, Horcoff has not topped 20 goals in four years and has only led the Oilers to three playoff appearances in ten seasons.
Certainly, his situation in western Canada isn't exactly ideal but you would expect your team captain to step up and deliver some goals, not shrink back and underachieve like his team.
Coincidentally, he's also best friends with an overrated player in another sport: New York Mets outfielder Jason Bay.
20. Olli Jokinen Christian Petersen/Getty Images Unfortunately for Olli Jokinen, injuries have seemed to rob him of the prime of his career. In the past four seasons, Jokinen has missed 91 games due to injury and is a -45 during that time.
While still able to flash his scoring touch at times (17 goals last year for Calgary), the 30-goal scorer we knew in Florida seems to be a thing of the past.
19. Scottie Upshall Christian Petersen/Getty Images Yet another player brought in to strengthen the weak Columbus offense, Scottie Upshall hasn't exactly been an offensive juggernaut during his career.
With a career high of 32 points, Upshall hasn't burned out any goal lights with his shooting and his defensive game leaves a bit to be desired: He was a -12 in only 21 games with Columbus last year.
While he's still a young player, Upshall needs to show a little more and grow into his role as a top player in the Blue Jacket lineup.
18. Dany Heatley Ezra Shaw/Getty Images Don't get me wrong, Dany Heatley was once one of the most feared scorers in the NHL and absolutely dominated as a member of the Senators.
However, Heatley's regular season numbers have slid downwards in the past few seasons and he has a large glaring hole in his resume: His playoff performance.
In 66 career playoff games, Heatley only has 15 goals and only five in the past four seasons. To put that in perspective, Sidney Crosby has 30 goals in 62 games and Alex Ovechkin has 25 in 37 games.
If Heatley wants to be considered with elite company, he has to step up his game in the postseason.
17. Joel Ward Rich Lam/Getty Images Sorry, I just don't see it.
Ward had a really good playoff series last year, leading his team in scoring with 13 points in 12 games. The Washington Capitals jumped at the chance to increase their offensive production, especially in the postseason where they have struggled in recent years.
However, Ward has only 40 goals in three NHL seasons (that's an average of 13 goals per year for all you math majors out there) and was a career minor leaguer before that.
The Caps threw $3 million per year at the guy, so I don't blame him for taking it but don't expect a sudden offensive outburst.
16. Maxime Talbot Lou Capozzola/Getty Images Max Talbot is just an example how a great performance on a big stage can increase your value whether it's deserved or not.
Talbot was a great worker bee for the Penguins, helping them win a Stanley Cup in 2009 with two goals in Game 7 against the Red Wings.
However, since then, Talbot logged a grand total of 28 points and seemingly disappeared for weeks on end when the Penguins needed him the most.
His pain in the ass attitude will endear him to the Philadelphia crowd but, unless he plays every game like it's Game 7, the Flyer faithful are going to be disappointed.
15. Ed Jovanovski Christian Petersen/Getty Images Jovanovski was quite the defenseman back in the day, a minutes workhorse who matched up against all the top fowards, Ed was a stalwart on the Vancouver blue line for years.
However, everyone gets old and no one, not even Ed Jovanovski, can avoid that.
Jovanovski is a -40 in the past three years, mostly due to the fact the he simply doesn't have the speed to make up for his risk-taking any longer.
While he does put the puck in the net on occasion still, his inconsistent defensive play might spell the end for one of the most solid D-guys in recent memory.
14. Tim Connolly Rick Stewart/Getty Images Drafted fourth overall in 1999, Connolly was always expected to fulfill his expected potential and become an offensive force in the NHL.
It simply never happened.
Connolly has never topped 20 goals in his entire career but that didn't stop the Maple Leafs from signing him to a 2-year, $9.5 million contract.
Maybe he's going to help carry bags or something.
13. Jay Bouwmeester Victor Decolongon/Getty Images No one is arguing with Jay Bouwmeester's ability to put pucks on net (even if only five went in during the past two seasons) but his lack of physicality is downright frustrating.
Put it this way, if Bouwmeester carried a purse on the ice, he would probably hit you with it if you went in front of the net.
A five-year, $33 million contract hasn't lit a fire under his butt either and Calgary seems to have gotten the raw end of that deal.
I'd list his playoff stats as well but there's only one problem: He's never been there.
12. Sean Avery Jemal Countess/Getty Images This was the easiest entry on this list.
Sean Avery makes a mockery of hockey and I can't imagine why any self-respecting franchise would allow itself to employ such a man.
His career high in goals is 15 and he managed to alienate himself from his teammates in Dallas so quickly that he didn't have time to get suspended for anything serious.
His latest arrest for allegedly battering an LAPD police officer is just another example as to why this clown needs to go back to the bush leagues where he belongs.
11. Trent Hunter Harry How/Getty Images Picking on a member of the New York Islanders is like bragging that you could beat a guy with a broken leg in a race, it's just not fair.
Hunter finished third in the Calder voting his rookie year and it's been all downhill since then. He's only played one full season since 2006 and has a grand total of 99 goals in 459 games.
While he is a respected penalty killer, Hunter is a career minus player and has never helped the Isles reach any level of respectability.
10. Marian Hossa Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images Marian Hossa signed one of the biggest contracts in NHL history with the Chicago Blackhawks, earning $62.8 million over 12 years and causing an NHL investigation into the deal.
Hossa responded to that contract by scoring 51 and 57 points in the past two seasons, winning the Stanley Cup in the process but not exactly lighting the world on fire in the scoring category.
Hossa might be a dynamic power play contributor but he needs to start putting more pucks on net and start justifying that contract.
9. Brian Campbell Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images Yet another infamous contract, Brian Campbell has a cap hit of $7.1 million to go along with his perennial underachievement.
Campbell was a consistent 40 point defenseman until going to the Blackhawks for huge money and watching his point total plummet each year.
While I'm certainly not saying that Campbell is a terrible player, it's just that $7 million is a little much to be paying a guy who only plays 60-some games and scores five goals.
8. Ville Leino Paul Bereswill/Getty Images This offseason definitely had a shortage of quality scoring wingers and, as a result, players like Leino got severely overpaid.
Leino has played three seasons in the NHL and has scored 9, 6, and 19 goals respectively. Those aren't exactly numbers that make you stand up and cheer but apparently Buffalo thought they were worth $27 million over six years.
7. Mike Richards Paul Bereswill/Getty Images The hard partying Mike Richards was once anointed by Pierre McGuire as the best captain in the league. I guess if you were in a tight spot and really needed a keg and a tap, then Richards was the guy you called.
After the 2007-2008 season, the Flyers signed Richards to a huge 12-year contract extension worth $69 million and seemed to immediately regret it.
A very good two-way player, Richards would be a great compliment to a team but, being paid like a superstar makes him overrated.
6. Scott Gomez Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images $8 million for Scott Gomez? These general managers are aware there is a salary cap, correct?
The kings of giving out ridiculous contracts, the New York Rangers, handed Gomez an insane $51.5 million, seven-year contract and Gomez responded by, well, being himself.
The problem was that Scott Gomez being himself translated to 32 goals over three seasons and a severe cap problem for the Rangers.
More recently, Gomez scored seven goals last year with the Canadiens and was a minus 15. Needless to say, the Rangers pretty much set the bar for terrible contracts in the last decade.
5. Zach Bogosian Bruce Bennett/Getty Images This is another case where I just don't see where all the hype is coming from.
Zach Bogosian is a young player but he's been touted as the next coming of Nick Lidstrom and I don't understand why. He's a -45 in the past two seasons and had 17 points in 71 games last year. Those aren't exactly numbers that cause you to reserve a spot in the All-Star game for him.
Bogosian might grow into himself or, better, get traded to a team with some talent on it and prove me wrong but for now, he' just another overrated player.
Zach Bogosian 4. Roberto Luongo Rich Lam/Getty Images Here comes the hate mail.
Roberto Luongo is a great regular season goaltender, there is not a question about that but it's no secret that he comes apart when all the chips are on the table in the playoffs.
Some people like to point to his Olympic gold medal as proof of his greatness but there are two problems with that:
1. He allowed Zach Parise to score with 25 seconds left in the game to tie it and send it to overtime.
2. Sidney Crosby bailed his ass out.
Add to that his implosions during last year's playoffs and we have ourselves and overrated player. If Roberto wants to be considered an elite goaltender, he has to keep it together when the weather starts to get warm.
3. Chris Drury  Bruce Bennett/Getty Images Yes, he just recently got bought out but that doesn't change the fact that, until two weeks ago, he was making $8 million per year.
Did I mention he scored one goal last year?
Yep, and 14 the year before in case that changes your mind a little bit. I'll give you one guess who gave him that ridiculous contract,
Drury made about $32 million in the past four years and he responded with 52 goals. He scored 37 the year before the Rangers signed him so, needless to say, his career is on the downswing.
2. Dion Phaneuf  Bruce Bennett/Getty Images Dion Phaneuf won an award in 2010. No, it wasn't the Norris and it certainly wasn't the Hart. He was voted the Most Overrated Player in the NHL by his fellow players. Yikes. Once seen as one of the most promising young defensemen in the league, Phaneuf's point production plummeted once he left Calgary and only scored 30 points last year (he had 60 in 2007). The worst part of the this whole thing might be the fact that he's the captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Remember when that used to mean something? Yeah, me neither. 1. Rick DiPietro
In 2006, escaped mental patient and acting Islanders GM Garth Snow signed DiPietro to a 15-year, $67.5 million contract and he rewarded them by becoming the most injury prone person on the face of the planet.
From 2008-2010, DiPietro played in only 13 games until attempting to make a full, "healthy" comeback this past season. Playing in 28 games, DiPietro didn't exactly light the world on fire and surrendered the starting job to senior citizen Dwayne Roloson.
DiPietro got the starting job back when Roloson was traded to the Lightning later that year and promptly got punched in the face by Penguins goaltender Brent Johnson. Big surprise here: He was injured. Ricky returned in March and won one more game, increasing his total on the year to 8. How many more years left?
19. Scottie UpshallYet another player brought in to strengthen the weak Columbus offense, Scottie Upshall hasn't exactly been an offensive juggernaut during his career. With a career high of 32 points, Upshall hasn't burned out any goal lights with his shooting and his defensive game leaves a bit to be desired: He was a -12 in only 21 games with Columbus last year. While he's still a young player, Upshall needs to show a little more and grow into his role as a top player in the Blue Jacket lineup. Oh, you gotta love controversy. When the term "overrated" is thrown around, fans tend to mention it in describing a player they hate: Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin, Steven Stamkos, etc. Of course, all of those players are bona fide superstars who have the ability to take over games at a moment's notice. But what about those players who are truly overrated? I'm talking about those players who get lots of hype or lots of money and consistently underachieve or blow big games. I have a feeling this one might set off a firestorm so, if you have any complaints, feel free to spout off in the comments section. Most of them will be ignored of course but hey, you can try. 25. Vincent Lecavalier Elsa/Getty Images Might as well start with a big name, right?
Look, I'm a huge Vinnie Lecavalier fan but he's just not producing up to his contract anymore. Lecavalier signed an 11-year, $85 million contract in 2008 and has only 49 goals since that contract took effect. To put that in perspective, Lecavalier scored 52 goals in 2006-07 alone.
With lingering questions about his wrist since a surgery in 2009, many are wondering whether Lecavalier can return to the form that made him one of the most valuable players on the ice. 24. RJ Umberger Christian Petersen/Getty Images It's hard for me to rip on the hometown boy but someone has to say it: I just don't think RJ Umberger is that great.
Now granted, he was buried on the depth chart in Philadelphia and isn't exactly surrounded by superstars in Columbus but Umberger is supposed to be that superstar.
Commanding almost $4 million a year from the Blue Jackets, Umberger has been a consistent 20-goal scorer the past three years but the only thing that's garnered Columbus is a quick exit from the playoffs via Detroit in 2009. 23. Sergei Gonchar Jim McIsaac/Getty Images The minute I watched Sergei Gonchar get turned into a human turnstile by the Montreal Canadiens two seasons ago, I knew he had played his last game as a Penguin.
That, of course, did not stop the Ottawa Senators from giving him a 3-year, $16 million deal complete with a no-trade clause.
Gonchar was a great defenseman, one of the greatest offensive threats on the blue line in history but that is all in the past.
He hasn't played a full season since 2006-07 and has lost the speed that once made him great. 22. Wade Redden Jim McIsaac/Getty Images Hey, technically he's still in the New York system, so he's allowed to be included on this list. The poster boy for free agent overspending, Wade Redden became the highest paid player in American Hockey League history after signing a six-year, $39 million contract and scoring a grand total of five goals after that (he scored 17 for the Senators at one point). New York Post writer Larry Brooks called the Redden deal "the worst in the history of the NHL, if not in the history of hard-cap pro sports." There's not really much else I can add to that. 21. Sean Horcoff Doug Pensinger/Getty Images The captain of the Edmonton Oilers might lead in the locker room but on the ice is a completely different story.
The recipient of a six-year, $33-million contract in 2008, Horcoff has not topped 20 goals in four years and has only led the Oilers to three playoff appearances in ten seasons.
Certainly, his situation in western Canada isn't exactly ideal but you would expect your team captain to step up and deliver some goals, not shrink back and underachieve like his team.
Coincidentally, he's also best friends with an overrated player in another sport: New York Mets outfielder Jason Bay. 20. Olli Jokinen Christian Petersen/Getty Images Unfortunately for Olli Jokinen, injuries have seemed to rob him of the prime of his career. In the past four seasons, Jokinen has missed 91 games due to injury and is a -45 during that time.
While still able to flash his scoring touch at times (17 goals last year for Calgary), the 30-goal scorer we knew in Florida seems to be a thing of the past. 19. Scottie Upshall Christian Petersen/Getty Images Yet another player brought in to strengthen the weak Columbus offense, Scottie Upshall hasn't exactly been an offensive juggernaut during his career.
With a career high of 32 points, Upshall hasn't burned out any goal lights with his shooting and his defensive game leaves a bit to be desired: He was a -12 in only 21 games with Columbus last year.
While he's still a young player, Upshall needs to show a little more and grow into his role as a top player in the Blue Jacket lineup. 18. Dany HeatleyDon't get me wrong, Dany Heatley was once one of the most feared scorers in the NHL and absolutely dominated as a member of the Senators.However, Heatley's regular season numbers have slid downwards in the past few seasons and he has a large glaring hole in his resume: His playoff performance.
In 66 career playoff games, Heatley only has 15 goals and only five in the past four seasons. To put that in perspective, Sidney Crosby has 30 goals in 62 games and Alex Ovechkin has 25 in 37 games.
If Heatley wants to be considered with elite company, he has to step up his game in the postseason. Oh, you gotta love controversy. When the term "overrated" is thrown around, fans tend to mention it in describing a player they hate: Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin, Steven Stamkos, etc. Of course, all of those players are bona fide superstars who have the ability to take over games at a moment's notice. But what about those players who are truly overrated? I'm talking about those players who get lots of hype or lots of money and consistently underachieve or blow big games. I have a feeling this one might set off a firestorm so, if you have any complaints, feel free to spout off in the comments section. Most of them will be ignored of course but hey, you can try. 25. Vincent Lecavalier Elsa/Getty Images Might as well start with a big name, right?
Look, I'm a huge Vinnie Lecavalier fan but he's just not producing up to his contract anymore. Lecavalier signed an 11-year, $85 million contract in 2008 and has only 49 goals since that contract took effect. To put that in perspective, Lecavalier scored 52 goals in 2006-07 alone.
With lingering questions about his wrist since a surgery in 2009, many are wondering whether Lecavalier can return to the form that made him one of the most valuable players on the ice. 24. RJ Umberger Christian Petersen/Getty Images It's hard for me to rip on the hometown boy but someone has to say it: I just don't think RJ Umberger is that great.
Now granted, he was buried on the depth chart in Philadelphia and isn't exactly surrounded by superstars in Columbus but Umberger is supposed to be that superstar.
Commanding almost $4 million a year from the Blue Jackets, Umberger has been a consistent 20-goal scorer the past three years but the only thing that's garnered Columbus is a quick exit from the playoffs via Detroit in 2009. 23. Sergei Gonchar Jim McIsaac/Getty Images The minute I watched Sergei Gonchar get turned into a human turnstile by the Montreal Canadiens two seasons ago, I knew he had played his last game as a Penguin.
That, of course, did not stop the Ottawa Senators from giving him a 3-year, $16 million deal complete with a no-trade clause.
Gonchar was a great defenseman, one of the greatest offensive threats on the blue line in history but that is all in the past.
He hasn't played a full season since 2006-07 and has lost the speed that once made him great. 22. Wade Redden Jim McIsaac/Getty Images Hey, technically he's still in the New York system, so he's allowed to be included on this list. The poster boy for free agent overspending, Wade Redden became the highest paid player in American Hockey League history after signing a six-year, $39 million contract and scoring a grand total of five goals after that (he scored 17 for the Senators at one point). New York Post writer Larry Brooks called the Redden deal "the worst in the history of the NHL, if not in the history of hard-cap pro sports." There's not really much else I can add to that. 21. Sean Horcoff Doug Pensinger/Getty Images The captain of the Edmonton Oilers might lead in the locker room but on the ice is a completely different story.
The recipient of a six-year, $33-million contract in 2008, Horcoff has not topped 20 goals in four years and has only led the Oilers to three playoff appearances in ten seasons.
Certainly, his situation in western Canada isn't exactly ideal but you would expect your team captain to step up and deliver some goals, not shrink back and underachieve like his team.
Coincidentally, he's also best friends with an overrated player in another sport: New York Mets outfielder Jason Bay. 20. Olli Jokinen Christian Petersen/Getty Images Unfortunately for Olli Jokinen, injuries have seemed to rob him of the prime of his career. In the past four seasons, Jokinen has missed 91 games due to injury and is a -45 during that time.
While still able to flash his scoring touch at times (17 goals last year for Calgary), the 30-goal scorer we knew in Florida seems to be a thing of the past. 19. Scottie Upshall Christian Petersen/Getty Images Yet another player brought in to strengthen the weak Columbus offense, Scottie Upshall hasn't exactly been an offensive juggernaut during his career.
With a career high of 32 points, Upshall hasn't burned out any goal lights with his shooting and his defensive game leaves a bit to be desired: He was a -12 in only 21 games with Columbus last year.
While he's still a young player, Upshall needs to show a little more and grow into his role as a top player in the Blue Jacket lineup. 18. Dany Heatley Ezra Shaw/Getty Images Don't get me wrong, Dany Heatley was once one of the most feared scorers in the NHL and absolutely dominated as a member of the Senators.
However, Heatley's regular season numbers have slid downwards in the past few seasons and he has a large glaring hole in his resume: His playoff performance.
In 66 career playoff games, Heatley only has 15 goals and only five in the past four seasons. To put that in perspective, Sidney Crosby has 30 goals in 62 games and Alex Ovechkin has 25 in 37 games.
If Heatley wants to be considered with elite company, he has to step up his game in the postseason. 17. Joel WardSorry, I just don't see it.
Ward had a really good playoff series last year, leading his team in scoring with 13 points in 12 games. The Washington Capitals jumped at the chance to increase their offensive production, especially in the postseason where they have struggled in recent years. However, Ward has only 40 goals in three NHL seasons (that's an average of 13 goals per year for all you math majors out there) and was a career minor leaguer before that.
The Caps threw $3 million per year at the guy, so I don't blame him for taking it but don't expect a sudden offensive outburst. 16. Maxime TalbotMax Talbot is just an example how a great performance on a big stage can increase your value whether it's deserved or not.Talbot was a great worker bee for the Penguins, helping them win a Stanley Cup in 2009 with two goals in Game 7 against the Red Wings. However, since then, Talbot logged a grand total of 28 points and seemingly disappeared for weeks on end when the Penguins needed him the most. His pain in the ass attitude will endear him to the Philadelphia crowd but, unless he plays every game like it's Game 7, the Flyer faithful are going to be disappointed. Oh, you gotta love controversy. When the term "overrated" is thrown around, fans tend to mention it in describing a player they hate: Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin, Steven Stamkos, etc. Of course, all of those players are bona fide superstars who have the ability to take over games at a moment's notice. But what about those players who are truly overrated? I'm talking about those players who get lots of hype or lots of money and consistently underachieve or blow big games. I have a feeling this one might set off a firestorm so, if you have any complaints, feel free to spout off in the comments section. Most of them will be ignored of course but hey, you can try. 25. Vincent Lecavalier Elsa/Getty Images Might as well start with a big name, right?
Look, I'm a huge Vinnie Lecavalier fan but he's just not producing up to his contract anymore. Lecavalier signed an 11-year, $85 million contract in 2008 and has only 49 goals since that contract took effect. To put that in perspective, Lecavalier scored 52 goals in 2006-07 alone.
With lingering questions about his wrist since a surgery in 2009, many are wondering whether Lecavalier can return to the form that made him one of the most valuable players on the ice. 24. RJ Umberger Christian Petersen/Getty Images It's hard for me to rip on the hometown boy but someone has to say it: I just don't think RJ Umberger is that great.
Now granted, he was buried on the depth chart in Philadelphia and isn't exactly surrounded by superstars in Columbus but Umberger is supposed to be that superstar.
Commanding almost $4 million a year from the Blue Jackets, Umberger has been a consistent 20-goal scorer the past three years but the only thing that's garnered Columbus is a quick exit from the playoffs via Detroit in 2009. 23. Sergei Gonchar Jim McIsaac/Getty Images The minute I watched Sergei Gonchar get turned into a human turnstile by the Montreal Canadiens two seasons ago, I knew he had played his last game as a Penguin.
That, of course, did not stop the Ottawa Senators from giving him a 3-year, $16 million deal complete with a no-trade clause.
Gonchar was a great defenseman, one of the greatest offensive threats on the blue line in history but that is all in the past.
He hasn't played a full season since 2006-07 and has lost the speed that once made him great. 22. Wade Redden Jim McIsaac/Getty Images Hey, technically he's still in the New York system, so he's allowed to be included on this list. The poster boy for free agent overspending, Wade Redden became the highest paid player in American Hockey League history after signing a six-year, $39 million contract and scoring a grand total of five goals after that (he scored 17 for the Senators at one point). New York Post writer Larry Brooks called the Redden deal "the worst in the history of the NHL, if not in the history of hard-cap pro sports." There's not really much else I can add to that. 21. Sean Horcoff Doug Pensinger/Getty Images The captain of the Edmonton Oilers might lead in the locker room but on the ice is a completely different story.
The recipient of a six-year, $33-million contract in 2008, Horcoff has not topped 20 goals in four years and has only led the Oilers to three playoff appearances in ten seasons.
Certainly, his situation in western Canada isn't exactly ideal but you would expect your team captain to step up and deliver some goals, not shrink back and underachieve like his team.
Coincidentally, he's also best friends with an overrated player in another sport: New York Mets outfielder Jason Bay. 20. Olli Jokinen Christian Petersen/Getty Images Unfortunately for Olli Jokinen, injuries have seemed to rob him of the prime of his career. In the past four seasons, Jokinen has missed 91 games due to injury and is a -45 during that time.
While still able to flash his scoring touch at times (17 goals last year for Calgary), the 30-goal scorer we knew in Florida seems to be a thing of the past. 19. Scottie Upshall Christian Petersen/Getty Images Yet another player brought in to strengthen the weak Columbus offense, Scottie Upshall hasn't exactly been an offensive juggernaut during his career.
With a career high of 32 points, Upshall hasn't burned out any goal lights with his shooting and his defensive game leaves a bit to be desired: He was a -12 in only 21 games with Columbus last year.
While he's still a young player, Upshall needs to show a little more and grow into his role as a top player in the Blue Jacket lineup. 18. Dany Heatley Ezra Shaw/Getty Images Don't get me wrong, Dany Heatley was once one of the most feared scorers in the NHL and absolutely dominated as a member of the Senators.
However, Heatley's regular season numbers have slid downwards in the past few seasons and he has a large glaring hole in his resume: His playoff performance.
In 66 career playoff games, Heatley only has 15 goals and only five in the past four seasons. To put that in perspective, Sidney Crosby has 30 goals in 62 games and Alex Ovechkin has 25 in 37 games.
If Heatley wants to be considered with elite company, he has to step up his game in the postseason. 17. Joel Ward Rich Lam/Getty Images Sorry, I just don't see it.
Ward had a really good playoff series last year, leading his team in scoring with 13 points in 12 games. The Washington Capitals jumped at the chance to increase their offensive production, especially in the postseason where they have struggled in recent years.
However, Ward has only 40 goals in three NHL seasons (that's an average of 13 goals per year for all you math majors out there) and was a career minor leaguer before that.
The Caps threw $3 million per year at the guy, so I don't blame him for taking it but don't expect a sudden offensive outburst. 16. Maxime Talbot Lou Capozzola/Getty Images Max Talbot is just an example how a great performance on a big stage can increase your value whether it's deserved or not.
Talbot was a great worker bee for the Penguins, helping them win a Stanley Cup in 2009 with two goals in Game 7 against the Red Wings.
However, since then, Talbot logged a grand total of 28 points and seemingly disappeared for weeks on end when the Penguins needed him the most.
His pain in the ass attitude will endear him to the Philadelphia crowd but, unless he plays every game like it's Game 7, the Flyer faithful are going to be disappointed. 15. Ed JovanovskiJovanovski was quite the defenseman back in the day, a minutes workhorse who matched up against all the top fowards, Ed was a stalwart on the Vancouver blue line for years. However, everyone gets old and no one, not even Ed Jovanovski, can avoid that. Jovanovski is a -40 in the past three years, mostly due to the fact the he simply doesn't have the speed to make up for his risk-taking any longer. While he does put the puck in the net on occasion still, his inconsistent defensive play might spell the end for one of the most solid D-guys in recent memory. Oh, you gotta love controversy. When the term "overrated" is thrown around, fans tend to mention it in describing a player they hate: Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin, Steven Stamkos, etc. Of course, all of those players are bona fide superstars who have the ability to take over games at a moment's notice. But what about those players who are truly overrated? I'm talking about those players who get lots of hype or lots of money and consistently underachieve or blow big games. I have a feeling this one might set off a firestorm so, if you have any complaints, feel free to spout off in the comments section. Most of them will be ignored of course but hey, you can try. 25. Vincent Lecavalier Elsa/Getty Images Might as well start with a big name, right?
Look, I'm a huge Vinnie Lecavalier fan but he's just not producing up to his contract anymore. Lecavalier signed an 11-year, $85 million contract in 2008 and has only 49 goals since that contract took effect. To put that in perspective, Lecavalier scored 52 goals in 2006-07 alone.
With lingering questions about his wrist since a surgery in 2009, many are wondering whether Lecavalier can return to the form that made him one of the most valuable players on the ice. 24. RJ Umberger Christian Petersen/Getty Images It's hard for me to rip on the hometown boy but someone has to say it: I just don't think RJ Umberger is that great.
Now granted, he was buried on the depth chart in Philadelphia and isn't exactly surrounded by superstars in Columbus but Umberger is supposed to be that superstar.
Commanding almost $4 million a year from the Blue Jackets, Umberger has been a consistent 20-goal scorer the past three years but the only thing that's garnered Columbus is a quick exit from the playoffs via Detroit in 2009. 23. Sergei Gonchar Jim McIsaac/Getty Images The minute I watched Sergei Gonchar get turned into a human turnstile by the Montreal Canadiens two seasons ago, I knew he had played his last game as a Penguin.
That, of course, did not stop the Ottawa Senators from giving him a 3-year, $16 million deal complete with a no-trade clause.
Gonchar was a great defenseman, one of the greatest offensive threats on the blue line in history but that is all in the past.
He hasn't played a full season since 2006-07 and has lost the speed that once made him great. 22. Wade Redden Jim McIsaac/Getty Images Hey, technically he's still in the New York system, so he's allowed to be included on this list. The poster boy for free agent overspending, Wade Redden became the highest paid player in American Hockey League history after signing a six-year, $39 million contract and scoring a grand total of five goals after that (he scored 17 for the Senators at one point). New York Post writer Larry Brooks called the Redden deal "the worst in the history of the NHL, if not in the history of hard-cap pro sports." There's not really much else I can add to that. 21. Sean Horcoff Doug Pensinger/Getty Images The captain of the Edmonton Oilers might lead in the locker room but on the ice is a completely different story.
The recipient of a six-year, $33-million contract in 2008, Horcoff has not topped 20 goals in four years and has only led the Oilers to three playoff appearances in ten seasons.
Certainly, his situation in western Canada isn't exactly ideal but you would expect your team captain to step up and deliver some goals, not shrink back and underachieve like his team.
Coincidentally, he's also best friends with an overrated player in another sport: New York Mets outfielder Jason Bay. 20. Olli Jokinen Christian Petersen/Getty Images Unfortunately for Olli Jokinen, injuries have seemed to rob him of the prime of his career. In the past four seasons, Jokinen has missed 91 games due to injury and is a -45 during that time.
While still able to flash his scoring touch at times (17 goals last year for Calgary), the 30-goal scorer we knew in Florida seems to be a thing of the past. 19. Scottie Upshall Christian Petersen/Getty Images Yet another player brought in to strengthen the weak Columbus offense, Scottie Upshall hasn't exactly been an offensive juggernaut during his career.
With a career high of 32 points, Upshall hasn't burned out any goal lights with his shooting and his defensive game leaves a bit to be desired: He was a -12 in only 21 games with Columbus last year.
While he's still a young player, Upshall needs to show a little more and grow into his role as a top player in the Blue Jacket lineup. 18. Dany Heatley Ezra Shaw/Getty Images Don't get me wrong, Dany Heatley was once one of the most feared scorers in the NHL and absolutely dominated as a member of the Senators.
However, Heatley's regular season numbers have slid downwards in the past few seasons and he has a large glaring hole in his resume: His playoff performance.
In 66 career playoff games, Heatley only has 15 goals and only five in the past four seasons. To put that in perspective, Sidney Crosby has 30 goals in 62 games and Alex Ovechkin has 25 in 37 games.
If Heatley wants to be considered with elite company, he has to step up his game in the postseason. 17. Joel Ward Rich Lam/Getty Images Sorry, I just don't see it.
Ward had a really good playoff series last year, leading his team in scoring with 13 points in 12 games. The Washington Capitals jumped at the chance to increase their offensive production, especially in the postseason where they have struggled in recent years.
However, Ward has only 40 goals in three NHL seasons (that's an average of 13 goals per year for all you math majors out there) and was a career minor leaguer before that.
The Caps threw $3 million per year at the guy, so I don't blame him for taking it but don't expect a sudden offensive outburst. 16. Maxime Talbot Lou Capozzola/Getty Images Max Talbot is just an example how a great performance on a big stage can increase your value whether it's deserved or not.
Talbot was a great worker bee for the Penguins, helping them win a Stanley Cup in 2009 with two goals in Game 7 against the Red Wings.
However, since then, Talbot logged a grand total of 28 points and seemingly disappeared for weeks on end when the Penguins needed him the most.
His pain in the ass attitude will endear him to the Philadelphia crowd but, unless he plays every game like it's Game 7, the Flyer faithful are going to be disappointed. 15. Ed Jovanovski Christian Petersen/Getty Images Jovanovski was quite the defenseman back in the day, a minutes workhorse who matched up against all the top fowards, Ed was a stalwart on the Vancouver blue line for years.
However, everyone gets old and no one, not even Ed Jovanovski, can avoid that.
Jovanovski is a -40 in the past three years, mostly due to the fact the he simply doesn't have the speed to make up for his risk-taking any longer.
While he does put the puck in the net on occasion still, his inconsistent defensive play might spell the end for one of the most solid D-guys in recent memory. 14. Tim ConnollyDrafted fourth overall in 1999, Connolly was always expected to fulfill his expected potential and become an offensive force in the NHL. It simply never happened. Connolly has never topped 20 goals in his entire career but that didn't stop the Maple Leafs from signing him to a 2-year, $9.5 million contract. Maybe he's going to help carry bags or something. 13. Jay BouwmeesterNo one is arguing with Jay Bouwmeester's ability to put pucks on net (even if only five went in during the past two seasons) but his lack of physicality is downright frustrating. Put it this way, if Bouwmeester carried a purse on the ice, he would probably hit you with it if you went in front of the net. A five-year, $33 million contract hasn't lit a fire under his butt either and Calgary seems to have gotten the raw end of that deal. I'd list his playoff stats as well but there's only one problem: He's never been there. Oh, you gotta love controversy. When the term "overrated" is thrown around, fans tend to mention it in describing a player they hate: Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin, Steven Stamkos, etc. Of course, all of those players are bona fide superstars who have the ability to take over games at a moment's notice. But what about those players who are truly overrated? I'm talking about those players who get lots of hype or lots of money and consistently underachieve or blow big games. I have a feeling this one might set off a firestorm so, if you have any complaints, feel free to spout off in the comments section. Most of them will be ignored of course but hey, you can try. 25. Vincent Lecavalier Elsa/Getty Images Might as well start with a big name, right?
Look, I'm a huge Vinnie Lecavalier fan but he's just not producing up to his contract anymore. Lecavalier signed an 11-year, $85 million contract in 2008 and has only 49 goals since that contract took effect. To put that in perspective, Lecavalier scored 52 goals in 2006-07 alone.
With lingering questions about his wrist since a surgery in 2009, many are wondering whether Lecavalier can return to the form that made him one of the most valuable players on the ice. 24. RJ Umberger Christian Petersen/Getty Images It's hard for me to rip on the hometown boy but someone has to say it: I just don't think RJ Umberger is that great.
Now granted, he was buried on the depth chart in Philadelphia and isn't exactly surrounded by superstars in Columbus but Umberger is supposed to be that superstar.
Commanding almost $4 million a year from the Blue Jackets, Umberger has been a consistent 20-goal scorer the past three years but the only thing that's garnered Columbus is a quick exit from the playoffs via Detroit in 2009. 23. Sergei Gonchar Jim McIsaac/Getty Images The minute I watched Sergei Gonchar get turned into a human turnstile by the Montreal Canadiens two seasons ago, I knew he had played his last game as a Penguin.
That, of course, did not stop the Ottawa Senators from giving him a 3-year, $16 million deal complete with a no-trade clause.
Gonchar was a great defenseman, one of the greatest offensive threats on the blue line in history but that is all in the past.
He hasn't played a full season since 2006-07 and has lost the speed that once made him great. 22. Wade Redden Jim McIsaac/Getty Images Hey, technically he's still in the New York system, so he's allowed to be included on this list. The poster boy for free agent overspending, Wade Redden became the highest paid player in American Hockey League history after signing a six-year, $39 million contract and scoring a grand total of five goals after that (he scored 17 for the Senators at one point). New York Post writer Larry Brooks called the Redden deal "the worst in the history of the NHL, if not in the history of hard-cap pro sports." There's not really much else I can add to that. 21. Sean Horcoff Doug Pensinger/Getty Images The captain of the Edmonton Oilers might lead in the locker room but on the ice is a completely different story.
The recipient of a six-year, $33-million contract in 2008, Horcoff has not topped 20 goals in four years and has only led the Oilers to three playoff appearances in ten seasons.
Certainly, his situation in western Canada isn't exactly ideal but you would expect your team captain to step up and deliver some goals, not shrink back and underachieve like his team.
Coincidentally, he's also best friends with an overrated player in another sport: New York Mets outfielder Jason Bay. 20. Olli Jokinen Christian Petersen/Getty Images Unfortunately for Olli Jokinen, injuries have seemed to rob him of the prime of his career. In the past four seasons, Jokinen has missed 91 games due to injury and is a -45 during that time.
While still able to flash his scoring touch at times (17 goals last year for Calgary), the 30-goal scorer we knew in Florida seems to be a thing of the past. 19. Scottie Upshall Christian Petersen/Getty Images Yet another player brought in to strengthen the weak Columbus offense, Scottie Upshall hasn't exactly been an offensive juggernaut during his career.
With a career high of 32 points, Upshall hasn't burned out any goal lights with his shooting and his defensive game leaves a bit to be desired: He was a -12 in only 21 games with Columbus last year.
While he's still a young player, Upshall needs to show a little more and grow into his role as a top player in the Blue Jacket lineup. 18. Dany Heatley Ezra Shaw/Getty Images Don't get me wrong, Dany Heatley was once one of the most feared scorers in the NHL and absolutely dominated as a member of the Senators.
However, Heatley's regular season numbers have slid downwards in the past few seasons and he has a large glaring hole in his resume: His playoff performance.
In 66 career playoff games, Heatley only has 15 goals and only five in the past four seasons. To put that in perspective, Sidney Crosby has 30 goals in 62 games and Alex Ovechkin has 25 in 37 games.
If Heatley wants to be considered with elite company, he has to step up his game in the postseason. 17. Joel Ward Rich Lam/Getty Images Sorry, I just don't see it.
Ward had a really good playoff series last year, leading his team in scoring with 13 points in 12 games. The Washington Capitals jumped at the chance to increase their offensive production, especially in the postseason where they have struggled in recent years.
However, Ward has only 40 goals in three NHL seasons (that's an average of 13 goals per year for all you math majors out there) and was a career minor leaguer before that.
The Caps threw $3 million per year at the guy, so I don't blame him for taking it but don't expect a sudden offensive outburst. 16. Maxime Talbot Lou Capozzola/Getty Images Max Talbot is just an example how a great performance on a big stage can increase your value whether it's deserved or not.
Talbot was a great worker bee for the Penguins, helping them win a Stanley Cup in 2009 with two goals in Game 7 against the Red Wings.
However, since then, Talbot logged a grand total of 28 points and seemingly disappeared for weeks on end when the Penguins needed him the most.
His pain in the ass attitude will endear him to the Philadelphia crowd but, unless he plays every game like it's Game 7, the Flyer faithful are going to be disappointed. 15. Ed Jovanovski Christian Petersen/Getty Images Jovanovski was quite the defenseman back in the day, a minutes workhorse who matched up against all the top fowards, Ed was a stalwart on the Vancouver blue line for years.
However, everyone gets old and no one, not even Ed Jovanovski, can avoid that.
Jovanovski is a -40 in the past three years, mostly due to the fact the he simply doesn't have the speed to make up for his risk-taking any longer.
While he does put the puck in the net on occasion still, his inconsistent defensive play might spell the end for one of the most solid D-guys in recent memory. 14. Tim Connolly Rick Stewart/Getty Images Drafted fourth overall in 1999, Connolly was always expected to fulfill his expected potential and become an offensive force in the NHL.
It simply never happened.
Connolly has never topped 20 goals in his entire career but that didn't stop the Maple Leafs from signing him to a 2-year, $9.5 million contract.
Maybe he's going to help carry bags or something. 13. Jay Bouwmeester Victor Decolongon/Getty Images No one is arguing with Jay Bouwmeester's ability to put pucks on net (even if only five went in during the past two seasons) but his lack of physicality is downright frustrating.
Put it this way, if Bouwmeester carried a purse on the ice, he would probably hit you with it if you went in front of the net.
A five-year, $33 million contract hasn't lit a fire under his butt either and Calgary seems to have gotten the raw end of that deal.
I'd list his playoff stats as well but there's only one problem: He's never been there. 12. Sean AveryThis was the easiest entry on this list. Sean Avery makes a mockery of hockey and I can't imagine why any self-respecting franchise would allow itself to employ such a man. His career high in goals is 15 and he managed to alienate himself from his teammates in Dallas so quickly that he didn't have time to get suspended for anything serious.
His latest arrest for allegedly battering an LAPD police officer is just another example as to why this clown needs to go back to the bush leagues where he belongs. Oh, you gotta love controversy. When the term "overrated" is thrown around, fans tend to mention it in describing a player they hate: Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin, Steven Stamkos, etc. Of course, all of those players are bona fide superstars who have the ability to take over games at a moment's notice. But what about those players who are truly overrated? I'm talking about those players who get lots of hype or lots of money and consistently underachieve or blow big games. I have a feeling this one might set off a firestorm so, if you have any complaints, feel free to spout off in the comments section. Most of them will be ignored of course but hey, you can try. 25. Vincent Lecavalier Elsa/Getty Images Might as well start with a big name, right?
Look, I'm a huge Vinnie Lecavalier fan but he's just not producing up to his contract anymore. Lecavalier signed an 11-year, $85 million contract in 2008 and has only 49 goals since that contract took effect. To put that in perspective, Lecavalier scored 52 goals in 2006-07 alone.
With lingering questions about his wrist since a surgery in 2009, many are wondering whether Lecavalier can return to the form that made him one of the most valuable players on the ice. 24. RJ Umberger Christian Petersen/Getty Images It's hard for me to rip on the hometown boy but someone has to say it: I just don't think RJ Umberger is that great.
Now granted, he was buried on the depth chart in Philadelphia and isn't exactly surrounded by superstars in Columbus but Umberger is supposed to be that superstar.
Commanding almost $4 million a year from the Blue Jackets, Umberger has been a consistent 20-goal scorer the past three years but the only thing that's garnered Columbus is a quick exit from the playoffs via Detroit in 2009. 23. Sergei Gonchar Jim McIsaac/Getty Images The minute I watched Sergei Gonchar get turned into a human turnstile by the Montreal Canadiens two seasons ago, I knew he had played his last game as a Penguin.
That, of course, did not stop the Ottawa Senators from giving him a 3-year, $16 million deal complete with a no-trade clause.
Gonchar was a great defenseman, one of the greatest offensive threats on the blue line in history but that is all in the past.
He hasn't played a full season since 2006-07 and has lost the speed that once made him great. 22. Wade Redden Jim McIsaac/Getty Images Hey, technically he's still in the New York system, so he's allowed to be included on this list. The poster boy for free agent overspending, Wade Redden became the highest paid player in American Hockey League history after signing a six-year, $39 million contract and scoring a grand total of five goals after that (he scored 17 for the Senators at one point). New York Post writer Larry Brooks called the Redden deal "the worst in the history of the NHL, if not in the history of hard-cap pro sports." There's not really much else I can add to that. 21. Sean Horcoff Doug Pensinger/Getty Images The captain of the Edmonton Oilers might lead in the locker room but on the ice is a completely different story.
The recipient of a six-year, $33-million contract in 2008, Horcoff has not topped 20 goals in four years and has only led the Oilers to three playoff appearances in ten seasons.
Certainly, his situation in western Canada isn't exactly ideal but you would expect your team captain to step up and deliver some goals, not shrink back and underachieve like his team.
Coincidentally, he's also best friends with an overrated player in another sport: New York Mets outfielder Jason Bay. 20. Olli Jokinen Christian Petersen/Getty Images Unfortunately for Olli Jokinen, injuries have seemed to rob him of the prime of his career. In the past four seasons, Jokinen has missed 91 games due to injury and is a -45 during that time.
While still able to flash his scoring touch at times (17 goals last year for Calgary), the 30-goal scorer we knew in Florida seems to be a thing of the past. 19. Scottie Upshall Christian Petersen/Getty Images Yet another player brought in to strengthen the weak Columbus offense, Scottie Upshall hasn't exactly been an offensive juggernaut during his career.
With a career high of 32 points, Upshall hasn't burned out any goal lights with his shooting and his defensive game leaves a bit to be desired: He was a -12 in only 21 games with Columbus last year.
While he's still a young player, Upshall needs to show a little more and grow into his role as a top player in the Blue Jacket lineup. 18. Dany Heatley Ezra Shaw/Getty Images Don't get me wrong, Dany Heatley was once one of the most feared scorers in the NHL and absolutely dominated as a member of the Senators.
However, Heatley's regular season numbers have slid downwards in the past few seasons and he has a large glaring hole in his resume: His playoff performance.
In 66 career playoff games, Heatley only has 15 goals and only five in the past four seasons. To put that in perspective, Sidney Crosby has 30 goals in 62 games and Alex Ovechkin has 25 in 37 games.
If Heatley wants to be considered with elite company, he has to step up his game in the postseason. 17. Joel Ward Rich Lam/Getty Images Sorry, I just don't see it.
Ward had a really good playoff series last year, leading his team in scoring with 13 points in 12 games. The Washington Capitals jumped at the chance to increase their offensive production, especially in the postseason where they have struggled in recent years.
However, Ward has only 40 goals in three NHL seasons (that's an average of 13 goals per year for all you math majors out there) and was a career minor leaguer before that.
The Caps threw $3 million per year at the guy, so I don't blame him for taking it but don't expect a sudden offensive outburst. 16. Maxime Talbot Lou Capozzola/Getty Images Max Talbot is just an example how a great performance on a big stage can increase your value whether it's deserved or not.
Talbot was a great worker bee for the Penguins, helping them win a Stanley Cup in 2009 with two goals in Game 7 against the Red Wings.
However, since then, Talbot logged a grand total of 28 points and seemingly disappeared for weeks on end when the Penguins needed him the most.
His pain in the ass attitude will endear him to the Philadelphia crowd but, unless he plays every game like it's Game 7, the Flyer faithful are going to be disappointed. 15. Ed Jovanovski Christian Petersen/Getty Images Jovanovski was quite the defenseman back in the day, a minutes workhorse who matched up against all the top fowards, Ed was a stalwart on the Vancouver blue line for years.
However, everyone gets old and no one, not even Ed Jovanovski, can avoid that.
Jovanovski is a -40 in the past three years, mostly due to the fact the he simply doesn't have the speed to make up for his risk-taking any longer.
While he does put the puck in the net on occasion still, his inconsistent defensive play might spell the end for one of the most solid D-guys in recent memory. 14. Tim Connolly Rick Stewart/Getty Images Drafted fourth overall in 1999, Connolly was always expected to fulfill his expected potential and become an offensive force in the NHL.
It simply never happened.
Connolly has never topped 20 goals in his entire career but that didn't stop the Maple Leafs from signing him to a 2-year, $9.5 million contract.
Maybe he's going to help carry bags or something. 13. Jay Bouwmeester Victor Decolongon/Getty Images No one is arguing with Jay Bouwmeester's ability to put pucks on net (even if only five went in during the past two seasons) but his lack of physicality is downright frustrating.
Put it this way, if Bouwmeester carried a purse on the ice, he would probably hit you with it if you went in front of the net.
A five-year, $33 million contract hasn't lit a fire under his butt either and Calgary seems to have gotten the raw end of that deal.
I'd list his playoff stats as well but there's only one problem: He's never been there. 12. Sean Avery Jemal Countess/Getty Images This was the easiest entry on this list.
Sean Avery makes a mockery of hockey and I can't imagine why any self-respecting franchise would allow itself to employ such a man.
His career high in goals is 15 and he managed to alienate himself from his teammates in Dallas so quickly that he didn't have time to get suspended for anything serious.
His latest arrest for allegedly battering an LAPD police officer is just another example as to why this clown needs to go back to the bush leagues where he belongs. 11. Trent HunterPicking on a member of the New York Islanders is like bragging that you could beat a guy with a broken leg in a race, it's just not fair.Hunter finished third in the Calder voting his rookie year and it's been all downhill since then. He's only played one full season since 2006 and has a grand total of 99 goals in 459 games. While he is a respected penalty killer, Hunter is a career minus player and has never helped the Isles reach any level of respectability. Oh, you gotta love controversy. When the term "overrated" is thrown around, fans tend to mention it in describing a player they hate: Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin, Steven Stamkos, etc. Of course, all of those players are bona fide superstars who have the ability to take over games at a moment's notice. But what about those players who are truly overrated? I'm talking about those players who get lots of hype or lots of money and consistently underachieve or blow big games. I have a feeling this one might set off a firestorm so, if you have any complaints, feel free to spout off in the comments section. Most of them will be ignored of course but hey, you can try. 25. Vincent Lecavalier Elsa/Getty Images Might as well start with a big name, right?
Look, I'm a huge Vinnie Lecavalier fan but he's just not producing up to his contract anymore. Lecavalier signed an 11-year, $85 million contract in 2008 and has only 49 goals since that contract took effect. To put that in perspective, Lecavalier scored 52 goals in 2006-07 alone.
With lingering questions about his wrist since a surgery in 2009, many are wondering whether Lecavalier can return to the form that made him one of the most valuable players on the ice. 24. RJ Umberger Christian Petersen/Getty Images It's hard for me to rip on the hometown boy but someone has to say it: I just don't think RJ Umberger is that great.
Now granted, he was buried on the depth chart in Philadelphia and isn't exactly surrounded by superstars in Columbus but Umberger is supposed to be that superstar.
Commanding almost $4 million a year from the Blue Jackets, Umberger has been a consistent 20-goal scorer the past three years but the only thing that's garnered Columbus is a quick exit from the playoffs via Detroit in 2009. 23. Sergei Gonchar Jim McIsaac/Getty Images The minute I watched Sergei Gonchar get turned into a human turnstile by the Montreal Canadiens two seasons ago, I knew he had played his last game as a Penguin.
That, of course, did not stop the Ottawa Senators from giving him a 3-year, $16 million deal complete with a no-trade clause.
Gonchar was a great defenseman, one of the greatest offensive threats on the blue line in history but that is all in the past.
He hasn't played a full season since 2006-07 and has lost the speed that once made him great. 22. Wade Redden Jim McIsaac/Getty Images Hey, technically he's still in the New York system, so he's allowed to be included on this list. The poster boy for free agent overspending, Wade Redden became the highest paid player in American Hockey League history after signing a six-year, $39 million contract and scoring a grand total of five goals after that (he scored 17 for the Senators at one point). New York Post writer Larry Brooks called the Redden deal "the worst in the history of the NHL, if not in the history of hard-cap pro sports." There's not really much else I can add to that. 21. Sean Horcoff Doug Pensinger/Getty Images The captain of the Edmonton Oilers might lead in the locker room but on the ice is a completely different story.
The recipient of a six-year, $33-million contract in 2008, Horcoff has not topped 20 goals in four years and has only led the Oilers to three playoff appearances in ten seasons.
Certainly, his situation in western Canada isn't exactly ideal but you would expect your team captain to step up and deliver some goals, not shrink back and underachieve like his team.
Coincidentally, he's also best friends with an overrated player in another sport: New York Mets outfielder Jason Bay. 20. Olli Jokinen Christian Petersen/Getty Images Unfortunately for Olli Jokinen, injuries have seemed to rob him of the prime of his career. In the past four seasons, Jokinen has missed 91 games due to injury and is a -45 during that time.
While still able to flash his scoring touch at times (17 goals last year for Calgary), the 30-goal scorer we knew in Florida seems to be a thing of the past. 19. Scottie Upshall Christian Petersen/Getty Images Yet another player brought in to strengthen the weak Columbus offense, Scottie Upshall hasn't exactly been an offensive juggernaut during his career.
With a career high of 32 points, Upshall hasn't burned out any goal lights with his shooting and his defensive game leaves a bit to be desired: He was a -12 in only 21 games with Columbus last year.
While he's still a young player, Upshall needs to show a little more and grow into his role as a top player in the Blue Jacket lineup. 18. Dany Heatley Ezra Shaw/Getty Images Don't get me wrong, Dany Heatley was once one of the most feared scorers in the NHL and absolutely dominated as a member of the Senators.
However, Heatley's regular season numbers have slid downwards in the past few seasons and he has a large glaring hole in his resume: His playoff performance.
In 66 career playoff games, Heatley only has 15 goals and only five in the past four seasons. To put that in perspective, Sidney Crosby has 30 goals in 62 games and Alex Ovechkin has 25 in 37 games.
If Heatley wants to be considered with elite company, he has to step up his game in the postseason. 17. Joel Ward Rich Lam/Getty Images Sorry, I just don't see it.
Ward had a really good playoff series last year, leading his team in scoring with 13 points in 12 games. The Washington Capitals jumped at the chance to increase their offensive production, especially in the postseason where they have struggled in recent years.
However, Ward has only 40 goals in three NHL seasons (that's an average of 13 goals per year for all you math majors out there) and was a career minor leaguer before that.
The Caps threw $3 million per year at the guy, so I don't blame him for taking it but don't expect a sudden offensive outburst. 16. Maxime Talbot Lou Capozzola/Getty Images Max Talbot is just an example how a great performance on a big stage can increase your value whether it's deserved or not.
Talbot was a great worker bee for the Penguins, helping them win a Stanley Cup in 2009 with two goals in Game 7 against the Red Wings.
However, since then, Talbot logged a grand total of 28 points and seemingly disappeared for weeks on end when the Penguins needed him the most.
His pain in the ass attitude will endear him to the Philadelphia crowd but, unless he plays every game like it's Game 7, the Flyer faithful are going to be disappointed. 15. Ed Jovanovski Christian Petersen/Getty Images Jovanovski was quite the defenseman back in the day, a minutes workhorse who matched up against all the top fowards, Ed was a stalwart on the Vancouver blue line for years.
However, everyone gets old and no one, not even Ed Jovanovski, can avoid that.
Jovanovski is a -40 in the past three years, mostly due to the fact the he simply doesn't have the speed to make up for his risk-taking any longer.
While he does put the puck in the net on occasion still, his inconsistent defensive play might spell the end for one of the most solid D-guys in recent memory. 14. Tim Connolly Rick Stewart/Getty Images Drafted fourth overall in 1999, Connolly was always expected to fulfill his expected potential and become an offensive force in the NHL.
It simply never happened.
Connolly has never topped 20 goals in his entire career but that didn't stop the Maple Leafs from signing him to a 2-year, $9.5 million contract.
Maybe he's going to help carry bags or something. 13. Jay Bouwmeester Victor Decolongon/Getty Images No one is arguing with Jay Bouwmeester's ability to put pucks on net (even if only five went in during the past two seasons) but his lack of physicality is downright frustrating.
Put it this way, if Bouwmeester carried a purse on the ice, he would probably hit you with it if you went in front of the net.
A five-year, $33 million contract hasn't lit a fire under his butt either and Calgary seems to have gotten the raw end of that deal.
I'd list his playoff stats as well but there's only one problem: He's never been there. 12. Sean Avery Jemal Countess/Getty Images This was the easiest entry on this list.
Sean Avery makes a mockery of hockey and I can't imagine why any self-respecting franchise would allow itself to employ such a man.
His career high in goals is 15 and he managed to alienate himself from his teammates in Dallas so quickly that he didn't have time to get suspended for anything serious.
His latest arrest for allegedly battering an LAPD police officer is just another example as to why this clown needs to go back to the bush leagues where he belongs. 11. Trent Hunter Harry How/Getty Images Picking on a member of the New York Islanders is like bragging that you could beat a guy with a broken leg in a race, it's just not fair.
Hunter finished third in the Calder voting his rookie year and it's been all downhill since then. He's only played one full season since 2006 and has a grand total of 99 goals in 459 games.
While he is a respected penalty killer, Hunter is a career minus player and has never helped the Isles reach any level of respectability. Next time...the top 10.
Oh, you gotta love controversy. When the term "overrated" is thrown around, fans tend to mention it in describing a player they hate: Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin, Steven Stamkos, etc. Of course, all of those players are bona fide superstars who have the ability to take over games at a moment's notice. But what about those players who are truly overrated? I'm talking about those players who get lots of hype or lots of money and consistently underachieve or blow big games. I have a feeling this one might set off a firestorm so, if you have any complaints, feel free to spout off in the comments section. Most of them will be ignored of course but hey, you can try. Oh, you gotta love controversy. When the term "overrated" is thrown around, fans tend to mention it in describing a player they hate: Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin, Steven Stamkos, etc. Of course, all of those players are bona fide superstars who have the ability to take over games at a moment's notice. But what about those players who are truly overrated? I'm talking about those players who get lots of hype or lots of money and consistently underachieve or blow big games. I have a feeling this one might set off a firestorm so, if you have any complaints, feel free to spout off in the comments section. Most of them will be ignored of course but hey, you can try. 25. Vincent LecavalierMight as well start with a big name, right? Look, I'm a huge Vinnie Lecavalier fan but he's just not producing up to his contract anymore. Lecavalier signed an 11-year, $85 million contract in 2008 and has only 49 goals since that contract took effect. To put that in perspective, Lecavalier scored 52 goals in 2006-07 alone. With lingering questions about his wrist since a surgery in 2009, many are wondering whether Lecavalier can return to the form that made him one of the most valuable players on the ice. Oh, you gotta love controversy. When the term "overrated" is thrown around, fans tend to mention it in describing a player they hate: Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin, Steven Stamkos, etc. Of course, all of those players are bona fide superstars who have the ability to take over games at a moment's notice. But what about those players who are truly overrated? I'm talking about those players who get lots of hype or lots of money and consistently underachieve or blow big games. I have a feeling this one might set off a firestorm so, if you have any complaints, feel free to spout off in the comments section. Most of them will be ignored of course but hey, you can try. 25. Vincent Lecavalier Elsa/Getty Images Might as well start with a big name, right?
Look, I'm a huge Vinnie Lecavalier fan but he's just not producing up to his contract anymore. Lecavalier signed an 11-year, $85 million contract in 2008 and has only 49 goals since that contract took effect. To put that in perspective, Lecavalier scored 52 goals in 2006-07 alone.
With lingering questions about his wrist since a surgery in 2009, many are wondering whether Lecavalier can return to the form that made him one of the most valuable players on the ice. 24. RJ UmbergerIt's hard for me to rip on the hometown boy but someone has to say it: I just don't think RJ Umberger is that great. Now granted, he was buried on the depth chart in Philadelphia and isn't exactly surrounded by superstars in Columbus but Umberger is supposed to be that superstar. Commanding almost $4 million a year from the Blue Jackets, Umberger has been a consistent 20-goal scorer the past three years but the only thing that's garnered Columbus is a quick exit from the playoffs via Detroit in 2009. Oh, you gotta love controversy. When the term "overrated" is thrown around, fans tend to mention it in describing a player they hate: Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin, Steven Stamkos, etc. Of course, all of those players are bona fide superstars who have the ability to take over games at a moment's notice. But what about those players who are truly overrated? I'm talking about those players who get lots of hype or lots of money and consistently underachieve or blow big games. I have a feeling this one might set off a firestorm so, if you have any complaints, feel free to spout off in the comments section. Most of them will be ignored of course but hey, you can try. 25. Vincent Lecavalier Elsa/Getty Images Might as well start with a big name, right?
Look, I'm a huge Vinnie Lecavalier fan but he's just not producing up to his contract anymore. Lecavalier signed an 11-year, $85 million contract in 2008 and has only 49 goals since that contract took effect. To put that in perspective, Lecavalier scored 52 goals in 2006-07 alone.
With lingering questions about his wrist since a surgery in 2009, many are wondering whether Lecavalier can return to the form that made him one of the most valuable players on the ice. 24. RJ Umberger Christian Petersen/Getty Images It's hard for me to rip on the hometown boy but someone has to say it: I just don't think RJ Umberger is that great.
Now granted, he was buried on the depth chart in Philadelphia and isn't exactly surrounded by superstars in Columbus but Umberger is supposed to be that superstar.
Commanding almost $4 million a year from the Blue Jackets, Umberger has been a consistent 20-goal scorer the past three years but the only thing that's garnered Columbus is a quick exit from the playoffs via Detroit in 2009. 23. Sergei GoncharThe minute I watched Sergei Gonchar get turned into a human turnstile by the Montreal Canadiens two seasons ago, I knew he had played his last game as a Penguin. That, of course, did not stop the Ottawa Senators from giving him a 3-year, $16 million deal complete with a no-trade clause. Gonchar was a great defenseman, one of the greatest offensive threats on the blue line in history but that is all in the past.
He hasn't played a full season since 2006-07 and has lost the speed that once made him great. Oh, you gotta love controversy. When the term "overrated" is thrown around, fans tend to mention it in describing a player they hate: Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin, Steven Stamkos, etc. Of course, all of those players are bona fide superstars who have the ability to take over games at a moment's notice. But what about those players who are truly overrated? I'm talking about those players who get lots of hype or lots of money and consistently underachieve or blow big games. I have a feeling this one might set off a firestorm so, if you have any complaints, feel free to spout off in the comments section. Most of them will be ignored of course but hey, you can try. 25. Vincent Lecavalier Elsa/Getty Images Might as well start with a big name, right?
Look, I'm a huge Vinnie Lecavalier fan but he's just not producing up to his contract anymore. Lecavalier signed an 11-year, $85 million contract in 2008 and has only 49 goals since that contract took effect. To put that in perspective, Lecavalier scored 52 goals in 2006-07 alone.
With lingering questions about his wrist since a surgery in 2009, many are wondering whether Lecavalier can return to the form that made him one of the most valuable players on the ice. 24. RJ Umberger Christian Petersen/Getty Images It's hard for me to rip on the hometown boy but someone has to say it: I just don't think RJ Umberger is that great.
Now granted, he was buried on the depth chart in Philadelphia and isn't exactly surrounded by superstars in Columbus but Umberger is supposed to be that superstar.
Commanding almost $4 million a year from the Blue Jackets, Umberger has been a consistent 20-goal scorer the past three years but the only thing that's garnered Columbus is a quick exit from the playoffs via Detroit in 2009. 23. Sergei Gonchar Jim McIsaac/Getty Images The minute I watched Sergei Gonchar get turned into a human turnstile by the Montreal Canadiens two seasons ago, I knew he had played his last game as a Penguin.
That, of course, did not stop the Ottawa Senators from giving him a 3-year, $16 million deal complete with a no-trade clause.
Gonchar was a great defenseman, one of the greatest offensive threats on the blue line in history but that is all in the past.
He hasn't played a full season since 2006-07 and has lost the speed that once made him great. 22. Wade ReddenHey, technically he's still in the New York system, so he's allowed to be included on this list.
The poster boy for free agent overspending, Wade Redden became the highest paid player in American Hockey League history after signing a six-year, $39 million contract and scoring a grand total of five goals after that (he scored 17 for the Senators at one point).
New York Post writer Larry Brooks called the Redden deal "the worst in the history of the NHL, if not in the history of hard-cap pro sports." There's not really much else I can add to that. 21. Sean HorcoffThe captain of the Edmonton Oilers might lead in the locker room but on the ice is a completely different story. The recipient of a six-year, $33-million contract in 2008, Horcoff has not topped 20 goals in four years and has only led the Oilers to three playoff appearances in ten seasons.
Certainly, his situation in western Canada isn't exactly ideal but you would expect your team captain to step up and deliver some goals, not shrink back and underachieve like his team. Coincidentally, he's also best friends with an overrated player in another sport: New York Mets outfielder Jason Bay. 20. Olli JokinenUnfortunately for Olli Jokinen, injuries have seemed to rob him of the prime of his career. In the past four seasons, Jokinen has missed 91 games due to injury and is a -45 during that time. While still able to flash his scoring touch at times (17 goals last year for Calgary), the 30-goal scorer we knew in Florida seems to be a thing of the past.
Yeah, I know it's been over a month since my last post but I can't help that. The Pittsburgh Pirates got absolutely screwed tonight in a 19 inning thriller in Atlanta. Home plate umpire Jerry Meals called Brave Julio Lugo safe when he was CLEARLY out by a mile.
Unbelievable, I have no words.
So Joe Paterno finally woke up from his coma long enough to rekindle one of the greatest rivalries in college football: Pitt vs. Penn State. It's been a long time coming and the fact that this topic has been dominating the sports talk shows and forums should show what this rivalry means to the region.
More after the jump...
The fact that Pitt and Penn State haven't played in years is a joke and Penn State is the guilty party in that one. PSU wanted two home games for every one played at Pitt and wanted half the proceeds from the gate when Pitt hosted the game...absolutely ridiculous.
Penn State has always felt that it was above Pitt and didn't need the game, which is probably true. Pitt has struggled in recent years while Penn State always finds itself in position to blow the big game at the end of the year in front of a national television audience.
The sad thing about this whole thing is that it won't begin until 2016 when Pitt hosts the first of a two game series (Hell, JoePa might not make it to lunch, let alone 2016). Penn State officials have also stressed that they have no interest in making this a yearly event and that they were only filling a schedule which was recently vacated by the Miami Hurricanes. What a load of garbage.
Penn State is playing this off like they are doing Pitt a favor, like Pitt is some lesser opponent that they are throwing a bone to. If there's no benefit to playing "lesser schools", then why does PSU always seem to have room for Temple and Akron on their schedule? And didn't Penn State almost lose to Temple last year?
PSU fans have always had an aura of superiority and that drives Pitt fans insane. As a matter of fact, the Big Ten in general has that same aura, a feeling that they are somehow better than the rest of college football and that we should all feel privileged to watch them play the game. I know that the SEC loves to see them in the BCS Championship game, considering the ass-whippings the Southern boys always seem to deliver on the big stage.
I do, however, see Penn State's point of view. If you are considered the top dog in a state, why would you give the "lesser" team a chance to knock you from that pedestal? What if Pitt sweeps two game series? I guarantee you that means Penn State backs out of any future meetings. They didn't sign up for these games to lose, they signed up to win 45-0 and prove it's dominance. After all, Penn State are still mad that they lost to Rod Rutherford and the Panthers 12-0 back in 2000.
The Bottom Line: Pitt needs this game right now more than Penn State does. However, JoePa's insistence of PSU's superiority throughout the years makes him look like a pain in the ass. If you are supposedly so much better than your in-state rival, then take the field and prove it. Since PSU is playing the "we're doing you a favor" card, that should motivate Pitt all the more when 2016 finally rolls around and Heinz Field is rocking. As a season ticket holder, I have never been excited for a game 5 years away but there's a first time for everything.
Also, allow me to be the first to say this publicly: Hey, Penn State...blow me.
So there is whole lot of talk about Aaron Rome and his hit on Nathan Horton in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final the other day. Canada seems to be up in arms about the suspension and Boston wants his head on a platter. Unfortunately, this is the state of hockey in 2011. Aaron Rome is a marginal player, no one can really argue that. Because of the hit, the Canucks essentially traded Rome for Horton and, if I'm Vancouver, I'd take that trade any day of the week and twice on Sunday. Was the hit dirty? Absolutely. Sure, Horton seemed to admire his pass just a little too much but that's no excuse for Rome taking his head off well after the puck had left his stick. Rome deserved to be suspended and the NHL responded by banning him for 4 games. 4 games? What a joke. The Stanley Cup Finals are supposed to be the NHL's crown jewel. A major stage where hockey can showcase skill, speed and toughness. Instead, we're getting cheapshots, biting, headhunting and players sticking fingers in each other's faces. This is not the hockey I love. Honestly, this can all be traced back to Game 1 and the NHL's refusal to suspend Alex Burrows for biting Patrice Bergeron. The league claimed there was "no conclusive evidence" that Burrows intentionally bit Bergeron. Are you kidding me? Do I look stupid or something? Everyone and their brother saw Burrows bite Bergeron but, since the NHL likes this kind of crap, they didn't act and Burrows won Game 2 single-handedly. Since the NHL failed them, Boston felt they had to make a statement and that set the stage for Game 3. Not only did you have the Horton hit but also Tim Thomas throwing a body check on Henrik Sedin and Chara punching Burrows in the mouth after the period buzzer. This could all have been avoided if the NHL had made Burrows sit down after Game 1. To make matters worse, when the NHL did decide to suspend Rome, he only got 4 games. Where's the deterrent to something like this happening again? Aaron Rome did his job, Horton is out and can't hurt the Canucks at all. Vancouver can win the next two games and skate home with the Stanley Cup, not giving a flying fig if Rome plays in the opening two games next year. Also, shouldn't things like the Rome hit only happen when a team is desperate? The Canucks are the better team and yet they are stooping to things like this. What if Milan Lucic had taken Ryan Kesler's head off on a late check? There would be rioting in the streets. Trust me, I am not a Boston fan and, to be honest, I really don't care who wins the Cup at this point. I just want to watch good hockey which highlights the sport in a positive way. I don't want to give critics yet more fodder by having the NHL give Aaron Rome a slap on the wrist. I'm not saying we should protect players like Nathan Horton to about sell tickets or for higher TV ratings or anything like that. We should be protecting these players because it's the right thing to do.
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