5 worst Calgary Flames contracts signed in franchise history feat. James Neal

By Nestor Quixtan

Modified Jul 22, 2024 00:40 GMT

The Calgary Flames have given fans memorable seasons. At the same time, the Flames have given fans plenty of headaches, particularly with some questionable contracts and signings. Like most teams, the Flames decided on players based on recent performance or anticipated results.

Unfortunately, some of the deals stand out as terrible judgment calls. With that in mind, here’s a close look at the five worst contracts in Calgary Flames history.

5 worst Calgary Flames contracts signed in franchise history

#5: Dennis Wideman

Wideman was widely acknowledged as a solid NHL defenseman. He spent seven solid seasons among four different clubs. By 2012, Wideman was traded by the Washington Capitals to Calgary in exchange for a prospect in a fifth-round pick.

Then, the Calgary Flames surprised the NHL by signing Wideman to a five-year, $26.25 million deal. The $5.25 million AAV was more in line with a top-pairing defenseman rather than a bottom-four one.

Wideman had one good year in Calgary, notching 56 points in 80 games in 2014-15. However, that would be his best. He never managed more than 22 points in Calgary, finishing with a minus-15 rating in 2013-14. The following season, he was suspended 20 games for hitting an official.

Ultimately, Wideman’s contract became a burden for the Flames.

#4: Jay Bouwmeester

Bouwmeester, the third-overall pick in 2002, was a solid defenseman throughout his career, playing in over 1,200 games. However, his tenure in Calgary was far from memorable.

After a 42-point campaign with the Florida Panthers in 2008-09, the Flames traded for Bouwmeester. The Flames then signed Bouwmeester to a five-year, $33.4 million deal with a $6.68 AAV, an astronomical cap hit for the time.

However, Bouwmeester was underwhelming in Calgary, and his production plummeted while his defensive player slipped considerably. He recorded a low minus-21 in 2011-12 while adding 29 points in all 82 games that season.

Bouwmeester moved on to St. Louis, where he seemingly regained his form, winning a Stanley Cup in 2019. Despite his success in St. Louis, Bouwmeester never lived up to expectations in Calgary.

#3: Matt Stajan

Stajan was part of the return in the Dion Phaneuf trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Stajan was projected to be a solid center, netting a career-high 55 points in 2008-09 with Toronto. However, he would never regain that form.

Stajan signed a four-year, $14 million deal with the Calgary Flames following the 2010 season. However, his production dropped significantly. But the Calgary Flames felt he was worth another four-year deal, this time worth $12.5 million.

During his tenure in Calgary, Stajan topped 30 points twice, scoring more than 10 goals only once.

#2: Troy Brouwer

Brouwer was a tough, skilled winger who provided punch and depth scoring. He had several solid seasons with the Capitals and Chicago Blackhawks, topping 40 points multiple times.

In 2016, he was coming off an 18-goal, 39-point season with the St. Louis Blues. So, the Flames signed him to a four-year, $18 million guaranteed deal. The $4.5 AAV was high for a middle-six forward.

Unfortunately, Brouwer’s production dipped significantly. He had back-to-back 20-point campaigns, prompting the Calgary Flames to buy out the last two years of his deal.

#1: James Neal

Neal was a proven NHL goal-scorer. He played on several clubs, consistently surpassing the 20-goal mark. His career-high 40 goals in 2011-12 put him on the map. By 2018, he was coming off a 25-goal campaign with the Vegas Golden Knights. So, the Flames signed Neal to a five-year, $28.75 million guaranteed deal.

The Flames paid Neal to score goals. However, he only managed seven in 63 games in his lone season in Calgary. Neal’s lack of commitment came into question. The Flames eventually sent Neal to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for another bad contract in Milan Lucic.

Neal also struggled in Edmonton before ending his career following 19 games in St. Louis during the 2021-22 season.