5 worst contracts signed in Chicago Blackhawks history feat. Cristobal Huet

By Evan Bell

Modified Jul 23, 2024 18:40 GMT

In the upcoming season, the Chicago Blackhawks will look to make their return to the Stanley Cup playoffs after missing it four years in a row. With young standouts like Connor Bedard and three first-round picks in this year's NHL draft, the team has a strong young core.

In addition, general manager Kyle Davidson also made some big moves, signing Tyler Bertuzzi to a four-year deal and Teuvo Teravainen to a three-year deal. With some capable veterans set to play alongside up-and-coming young standouts, the sentiment surrounding the Blackhawks seems optimistic.

Of course, in the past, however, the Blackhawks have had their fair share of bad signings over the years, just like every other NHL team. With that in mind, let's take a look at the worst contracts in Chicago Blackhawks history.

Five worst contracts in Chicago Blackhawks history

#5. Brian Campbell

Brian Campbell's three seasons in Chicago saw him contribute to the team's 2010 Stanley Cup Playoff run. However, considering that the Blackhawks signed him to an eight-year, $56.8 million deal, it's easy to see how the contract remains a sore spot.

After a strong first year in Chicago, Campbell played 68 games for the team the following year, logging 38 points, before logging 27 points in 65 games during the 2010-11 season. Given his massive contract, the team traded him to Florida, freeing up a large chunk of cap space.

#4. Nikolai Khabibulin

Nikolai Khabibulin's first stint with the Chicago Blackhawks saw the 2004 Stanley Cup winner struggle to maintain the same numbers as he did with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Despite that, he had three solid years with the team after a rough 2005-06 season. When the Blackhawks brought him back on a one-year deal for the 2013-14 season, Khabibulin played just four games, posting an abysmal .811 save percentage.

#3. Theo Fleury

Theo Fleury's two-year, $8.5 million deal with the Blackhawks in 2002 was a tough pill for fans to swallow. At the time the team signed him, Fleury had already dealt with his fair share of controversy thanks to recreational drug usage and a fight with a mascot.

Fleury's time in Chicago started with a drug suspension in his first year, followed by a drunken altercation with bouncers. When Chicago tried to waive him, they had no luck, with teams showing no interest in the winger. In the 2002-03 season, he played in just 54 games, logging 33 points.

#2. Seth Jones

The Chicago Blackhawks signed defenceman Seth Jones to a massive eight-year deal worth $76 million leading up to the 2022-23 season. While Jones has shown flashes of brilliance and has all the makings of a great defender, the general sentiment seems that Chicago overpaid for Jones.

By the time his contract expires before the 2030-31 season, he will be 35. While this contract may have been a great one back in 2017 or 2018, it seems unlikely that he's able to live up to the massive valuation.

#1. Cristobal Huet

A deal that will forever live on in infamy in the minds of Chicago fans. In 2008, Chicago decided to sign netminder Cristobal Huet to a four-year deal worth $22.5 million.

Huet played just two years in Chicago, struggling to live up to the expectations of fans and the front office while playing 89 games in two seasons. Ultimately, Chicago ended up eating $10 million in cap while Huet was loaned out to NLA's HC Fribourg-Gotteron.