2007-2008 All-Overpaid Team?

Question

LW- Thomas Vanek- $10m- good player, that will increase his worth because he's still only played 3 seasons, but he practically received $277,777 for every goal he scored last season. Thanks for setting the curve Kevin Lowe!!

C- Sergei Fedorov- $6.08m- poor guy, because he was such a great two-way forward, hopefully Washington keeps him and he establishes great chemistry with Ovechkin

RW- Ryan Smyth- $7.5m- 70 pts is his career high back in 2000-2001

D- Rob Blake- $6m- 31 pts, -13 last year

KimmoTimonen- $8m- 8 goals and even +/- last year, he's real good, but $8m good?

G- Olaf Kolzig- $5.45m- benched in the playoffs, expensive backup, he's out of Washington now though

USA Today online has a great feature that has the salaries of NHL, NFL, NBA, MLB teams and players.

Answer 1

1.  Don't blame Vanek.  I've yet to meet a hockey player in all my years in the NHL who has said...'Don't give me x amount of dollars....I'm not worthy'  Kevin Lowe said "Thomas, I think you're worth $10MM dollars".  Darcy Regeir said 'I agree"....so Thomas is worth $10MM

2.  Ken Hitchcock and the entire Washington Capitals will tell you that Fedorov is worth every penny of his salary.  There's more to the game of hockey than what you take onto the ice.  There is the leadership and motivation factor as well, and that is what Fedorov brings to the table.  He's asking for a 2 yr deal worth $11MM and there will probably be takers

3.  Kolzig's not overpaid..............he was considered underpaid when the contract was signed.

Answer 2

I have to go Blake... although I think he is great and he was a pain to play against... I don't think hes that good... 8 million is crazy good money... and i dont think hes that good anymore

also gotta say vanek... but i think he'll bounce back and have a heck of a year.

Answer 3

Danny Breire

Answer 4

Nylander

Barley played this year but hes good

Answer 5

Oh by far Sergei Federov. He played for Columbus and did nothing, and spent most of January, and up until the trade deadline on the DL. He "was" an outstanding player, in hi hayday with Detroit, but with the rule changes, and all the younger guys coming into the league, he just cant keep up. He could be a good fit for Washington if he plays a limited role, and helps mentor some of the younger guys coming into there club. Overall for the money he's not worth it.

Answer 6

Scott Gomez just made 10 million.

Answer 7

Kimmo was one of the catalysts that led the Flyers to the Eastern Conference Finals.I would say Ray Emery was the most overpaid in the League.Nothing but a headache all year.

Answer 8

Don't base all your opinions on numbers.

Kimmo Timonen, like Joe said, was a HUGE part of the Flyers this season. He was a leader, a great defenseman, and a guy who does a lot of unrecognized things on the ice, such as break-outs, well timed poke checks, keeping the puck in the zone, etc.

The same thing with Federov. He doesn't put up the amazing numbers that he used to, but he is still very valuable. He is a leader and a great passer. Especially with that young Washington team with a lot of Russians, Federov was a role model and well worth every penny.

Kolzig has had a great career. He is way past his prime. I'm surprised he hasn't thrown in the towel yet. I think Washington felt obliged to resign him, because of everything that he's done for the team.

Smyth was injured for most of the season, no one could have predicted that over the summer.

Vanek was crushed under the pressure of such a huge contract. He was a bad investment this season and ONLY this season for the Sabres. Vanek is a great player, but he needs to control his nerves and just play. He will be worth all that money eventually, but not right now.

Blake is good, but on a bad team. He won't get the greatest numbers, because his team was second to last in the league. He is good, though.