2. Ryan Graves
Remaining contract: 5 years, $22.5 million
When the Pittsburgh Penguins made major changes in the front office, convincing former Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas to take a similar position in the Steel City, it showed a fortuitous attempt to make the best out of Sidney Crosby’s late 30s. Crosby is still one of the best players in the league. So naturally, to help the Penguins move into their next era, one of Dubas’ first moves was to give Ryan Graves a massive contract.
Wait, what? When this deal was signed, Devils fans were collectively scratching their heads. We liked Ryan Graves, but he was incredibly inconsistent. Many thought he’d sign somewhere for three or four years, and even that would be scary. The fact that the Penguins gave him a six-year deal is preposterous.
The Pittsburgh Penguins started this season as an absolute mess. They have gotten better, but that’s largely when Graves is out of the lineup. He’s been a healthy scratch multiple times in December. He missed the Devils' 3-0 victory over the Penguins, and he hasn’t made much of an impact when he is in the lineup.
The Penguins are reportedly frustrated with Graves’ lack of offensive ability and understanding of positioning. This contract has been so bad, it looks like he will likely be bought out or traded with an asset attached. A buyout would mean he would stay on the books until 2033.