NHL: Vegas Golden Knights at Toronto Maple Leafs - Source: Imagn — Looking at the five worst contracts signed in Vegas Golden Knights history (Image credit: Imagn)

5 worst contracts signed in Vegas Golden Knights history feat. Robin Lehner

Modified Jul 25, 2024 16:33 GMT

Since being founded in 2017, the Vegas Golden Knights have had an impressive run since joining the NHL. In the team's first season, it won the Western Conference Finals as it made a statement that it was here to compete.

While the team is still in its early stages, and has already raised a Stanley Cup banner, just like other teams, the Golden Knights have handed out some questionable contracts.

From overpaying for players who underperform to lucrative contracts being handed to players who fell victim to injuries, the Vegas Golden Knights have whiffed on their fair share of contracts.

Five worst contracts signed in Vegas Golden Knights history

#5: Jack Eichel

While Jack Eichel has played well for the Golden Knights since the team acquired his eight-year contract worth $80 million, he simply hasn't lived up to the valuation. Currently, there are only 15 players making more than $10M per season, putting Eichel in elite company alongside the likes of Mitch Marner and Connor McDavid.

Despite leading the team in the 2022-23 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Eichel played in just 63 games last season, where he logged 68 points. While averaging a point per game is nothing to scoff at, compared to other players making the same amount of money, it seems the Golden Knights are overpaying the center.

#4: Alec Martinez

Alec Martinez' three-year contract worth $15.75M simply didn't pan out the way the Golden Knights hoped. The contract was signed heading into the 2021-22 season, where Martinez played just 26 games before dealing with a cut that forced him to the sidelines for several months.

The following season, the defenseman played in 77 games, logging just 14 points before a disappointing 2023-24 season saw him skate in just 55 games. Given that the team only got 158 games out of him over three seasons while he chewed up $5M per year, it's no wonder fans weren't happy with this deal.

#3: Alex Pietrangelo

While Alex Pietrangelo was playing up to his $8.8M AAV early on in his seven-year contract worth $61.6M, heading into the 2024-25 season, it's clear that at 35 years of age he's no longer the player he once was.

Although he's shown up in the playoffs when the team needs him, Pietrangelo still has three years left on his contract, including this season. Considering he seems to be slowing down statistically, the fact that the Vegas Golden Knights have another three years until they're out from underneath his $8.8M AAV is tough.

#2: Vadim Shipachyov

Vadim Shipachyov's two-year, $9M contract could very well be ranked first on the list of worst contracts in Vegas Golden Knights history. Heading into their first season in the league, the franchise signed Shipachyov with hopes of the KHL standout being a difference-maker on the ice.

Instead, Shipachyov played in just three games during the 2017-18 season before ultimately returning to the KHL, marking a massive waste of money for the expansion team.

#1: Robin Lehner

Robin Lehner's five-year contract worth $25M has been a source of frustration for the Vegas Golden Knights since the start of the 2019-20 season. Lehner played in just three games his first year with the team, before then playing in 19 the following year.

After a 44-game season the following year, the Vegas Golden Knights announced Lehner would need hip surgery, a procedure he's never come back from. He missed the entirety of both the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, while the Golden Knights have been forced to sit on his contract.