5 worst contracts signed in Dallas Stars franchise history feat. Sean Avery

By Nestor Quixtan

Modified Jul 28, 2024 05:03 GMT

The Dallas Stars have shown a consistent track record of savvy moves. These moves have allowed the club to remain a consistent contender throughout its existence despite winning just one Stanley Cup.

But like all NHL clubs, the Dallas Stars have had their share of not-so-savvy moves. So, let’s take a look at the five worst contract decisions the Dallas Stars have made.

5 worst contracts signed in Dallas Stars franchise history

#5: Jason Spezza

Spezza was the second-overall pick in the 2001 draft. He quickly blossomed into the player the Ottawa Senators envisioned. He was a key member of the 2007 team that made it to the Cup Final. That season, Spezza scored 34 goals and 87 points. The next season, he notched a career-high 92 points.

However, he began a gradual decline the following season. He had a solid bounce-back year in 2011-12 racking up 84 points. Unfortunately, he only played in five games the following season. As Spezza neared free agency, the Senators looked to dump his contract. They found a taker in the Dallas Stars.

Spezza had back-to-back 60-point seasons in Dallas before seeing his performance decline significantly. The issue was that the club had signed Spezza to a four-year, $30 million extension in 2015. By 2017, the contract was a significant burden on the team. The massive overpay hurt the Stars financially, making his contract untradeable.

The Stars did not re-sign Spezza after the 2018-19 season, allowing him to sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs that offseason.

#4: Martin Hanzal

Hanzal was the 17th overall pick in the 2005 draft. The Phoenix Coyotes thought they had picked a top-six center for the foreseeable future. However, Hanzal only played one full season with the team. Moreover, Hanzal topped 40 points twice in his career, failing to reach the 20-goal mark.

The Coyotes dealt Hanzal to the Minnesota Wild at the 2017 trade deadline after nearly ten seasons in the desert. His declining performance was evident, making him a low-cost rental for the wild.

Inexplicably, the Dallas Stars gave Hanzal a three-year, $14.25 million deal during the 2017 offseason. The deal immediately backfired. Hanzal went through a number of injuries, playing just 38 games in his first season.

He managed seven more games the following season before being done for good.

#3: Brett Hull

There is so much to be said about Hall of Famer Brett Hull. He had a remarkable career with the Detroit Red Wings and St. Louis Blues. In his final year with the Blues, Hull notched 27 goals in an injury-shortened campaign.

But that didn’t stop the Dallas Stars from signing Hull to a three-year, $17 million deal during the 1998 offseason.

The deal was among the richest in the league at the time. However, Hull’s overall performance was declining. His point totals dropped the following two seasons, despite winning the Cup in 1999. Hull nearly topped 40 goals in 2000-01, but Dallas chose to pass on his option, allowing the Hall of Famer to sign in Detroit as a free agent.

Hull’s contract is remembered as an overpay despite his contributions to the team.

#2: Antti Niemi

Niemi had been a solid netminder for the San Jose Sharks during a five-year span. At one point, Niemi started 68 games for the Sharks, posting a 2.42 GAA and a .915 SV%.

That sort of performance motivated Dallas to sign Niemi to a three-year, $13.5 million deal. However, things didn’t go according to plan. In his first season, Niemi started 43 games but showed signs of decline.

The following season, Niemi took a nosedive. In 37 games, he posted a 3.30 GAA and a .892 SV%. The Stars bought out the final year of Niemi’s contract, allowing him to sign with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Sadly, Niemi would be placed on waivers multiple times before calling it quits following the 2018-19 season.

#1: Sean Avery

Avery is remembered as one of the most controversial players in NHL history. While never a particularly offensively gifted player, Avery was notorious for his gritty, physical play.

Despite a career-high 15 goals, the Dallas Stars felt Avery was worth a four-year, $15.5 million deal. The contract was extremely high for a bottom-six forward who played more like an enforcer.

Unfortunately, Avery’s stint in Dallas lasted all of 23 games. Early into the 2008-09 season, Avery made derogatory remarks about dating other players’ wives and girlfriends. The league suspended Avery for six games, while the Stars decided to ban him from the team.

The saga ended with Avery returning to the New York Rangers where he played parts of four seasons after spending two seasons with the team before signing in Dallas.