2. Jonas Siegenthaler
When the New Jersey Devils signed Jonas Siegenthaler to a five-year contract extension, it was the Devils commitment to its core. They gave Siegenthaler a slight raise to sign him long-term. Everyone was committing to each other. Nobody thought this would ever look like a bad deal. Siegenthaler did the small things the Devils needed so players like Hamilton and, eventually, Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec could thrive.
Siegenthaler is supposed to be the rock. He’s the glue that holds everything together. The Devils need him so their more offensive-minded players can be more aggressive. He plays back, plays safe, and plays with a mind to keep the puck away from the other team.
Unfortunately, the Devils haven’t gotten that from Siegenthaler this season. He’s officially given the puck away 13 times this season. Ten of those times happened in the defensive zone according to Money Puck. It always seems to happen at the most inopportune time.
Siegenthaler has been on the ice for 17 goals against and only 13 goals at even strength. He provides nothing offensively (36 shot attempts this season and 35 came from low-danger areas). His performance has been pitiful, and the Devils might be stuck with a bad contract if he can’t get his act together.