10 Best/Worst NHL Goon Contracts in Salary Cap era

What have been the 10 best and 10 worst contracts given out to goons since the NHL had a salary cap? I’ve expanded the definition of goon to mean more than just the classic heavy weight, one-dimensional fighter, which have been slowly disappearing from hockey. For the good goons, I tried to find the fighters and tough guys who played the most ice time and scored the most points; those who provided the most functionality. The list of bad goon contracts was much easier to make and has more of the classic goons.

BEST

1) Chris Neil, Ottawa July 26 2006, 3 years $3.3M: Signed by John Muckler. The Sens got 58 PTS with 522 PIMs over 3 seasons from this enforcer who played a regular shift and helped them advance to a Stanley Cup final.

2) Brandon Prust, Rangers July 3 2010, 2 years $1.6M: Signed by Glen Sather. Prust was more of a classic goon before signing this contract, but then blossomed into a regular player playing 14 minutes per game. He scored 47 PTS with 316 PIMs over these 2 seasons. His next contract was most certainly not a bargain. Scroll down to the worst goon contracts for more information.

3) Shawn Thornton, Boston June 3 2010, 2 years $1.6M: Signed by Peter Chiarelli. This contract helped produce a Stanley Cup. Thornton even played a regular shift in 2011 and chipped in 10 Goals on top of his 122 PIMs. Scored 33 PTS with 276 PIMs over the full 2 seasons.

4) Derek Dorsett, Columbus Sept 12 2009, 2 years $1.1M: Signed by Scott Howson. Similar to Prust, he was more of a classic goon when he first broke into the league, then developed into a regular player scoring 37 PTS with 419 PIMs over 2 seasons playing a regular shift.

5) Matt Cooke, Pittsburgh July 5 2008, 2 years $2.4M: Signed by Ray Shero. He may not have fit the classic definition of a goon, but he fought often in his weight class and was a very dirty player. He scored 61 PTS with 207 PIMs over 2 seasons and won a Stanley Cup.

6) Aaron Asham, Philly July 7 2008, 2 years $1.3M: Signed by Paul Holmgren. This is where the "best goon" contracts starts to thin out. He scored 44 PTS with 281 PIMs over these 2 seasons.

7) Steve Downie, Tampa Bay Aug 25 2010, 2 years $3.7M: Signed by Steve Yzerman. Downie was not your average goon, and instead was more like a crazy middle weight. He got ice time with Stamkos and scored 73 PTS with 308 PIMs.

8) Daniel Carcillo, Phoenix July 22 2008, 2 years $1.8M: Signed by Don Maloney. I'm not sure Carcillo was ever known as a good fighter, but he was unquestionably 100% crazy. Contributed 36 PTS with 461 PIMs over 2 seasons.

9) Shane O’Brien, Tampa Bay June 21 2007, 2 years $1.9M: Signed by Jay Feaster. Shane contributed 31 PTS from the blueline and 350 PIMs. He was not a one-dimensional fighter and could sustain a regular shift. 

10) Jamal Mayers, St. Louis Aug 15 2005, 2 years $1.8M: Signed by Larry Pleau. Getting 48 PTS and 218 PIMs over the 2 seasons may not qualify a player for goon status, but Mayers was unquestionably a tough guy. He averaged just under 15m of ice time per game on this contract, so he was a more functional type of tough guy.

WORST

1) Sean Avery, Dallas July 2 2008, 4 years $15.5M: Signed by Brett Hull. Avery only lasted 23 games in Dallas before they traded him to the Rangers for a minimal return. He was playing in the AHL by year four and did not get another NHL contract after this one.

2) Brandon Prust, Montreal July 1 2012, 4 years $10M: Signed by Marc Bergevin. Prust had a decent first season on this contract, but it got a bit bumpy as he got older and passed 30-years-old.  By the last year, the Habs were able to swap bad contracts with the Canucks. Prust did not play well in Vancouver at all and is not remembered fondly in that market.

3) Darryl Boogaard, Rangers July 1 2010, 4 years $6.5M: Signed by Glen Sather. I’m not including this contract simply because he passed away, it still would have been a terrible contract had he lived to its end. This is among the largest contracts you’ll see for a one-dimensional fighter, certainly in the salary cap era. Boogeyman is in the conversation for worst all around hockey players in league history. He was never even voted MVP of the all-star game.

4) Jared Boll, Columbus Sep 14 2013, 3 years $5.1M: Signed by Jarmo Kekalainen. This contract was bought out. It’s a bit absurd to pay this much money to a player only being used for 7 minutes per game. Whatever you want to believe in Corsi, he put up one of the worst shot differential performances since 2008 with 33.7%. That’s down in the Trevor Gillies zone for $1.7M AAV. Ouch.

5) Georges Laraque, Montreal July 3 2008, 3 years $4.5M: Signed by Bob Gainey. Laraque signed this deal at age 31 and played 61 games before being bought out. This was his last NHL contract. Recorded a 32% Corsi in the last year of his NHL career.

6) John Erskine, Washington Feb 24 2013, 2 years $3.9M: Signed by George McPhee. Yes, a neck injury did end his career before this contract expired, but it was still too much money to give a big slow defenseman with little offensive upside over the age of 30.

7) Dalton Prout, Columbus Mar 25 2016, 2 years $3.2M: Signed by Jarmo Kekalainen. The Blue Jackets shipped him out to New Jersey for Kyle Quincey. He’s been playing AHL games in year two. They whiffed on this one.

8) Andre Roy, Pittsburgh Aug 4 2005, 3 years $3M: Signed by Craig Patrick. The Pens dumped this contract after 47 games. Not worth a roster spot. He averaged about 5 minutes of ice time per game over the 3 seasons.

9) Donald Brashear, Rangers July 1 2009, 2 years $2.8M: Signed by Glen Sather. He spent the last year of this contract playing semi-pro in Quebec, probably the highest paid player LNAH history. He scored 17 goals for Riviere Du Loup for $1.4M. Another failed contract for a 30+ year old tough guy.

10) Aaron Asham, Rangers July 1 2012, 2 years $2M: Signed by Glen Sather. In year 2 he was playing in the AHL. He was a 34-year-old tough guy when the Rangers signed him.