Daily Faceoff: Here is the most shocking contract of the NHL summer - "Unbelievable"

The six-year contract made by the Chicago Blackhawks with Bowen Byram is, according to Daily Faceoff, the worst contract in the NHL free agency market. The defenseman’s average annual salary is 12.5 million dollars.

The site estimates that the high value of the contract did not come as a complete surprise. The Blackhawks already paid a steep price for Byram in a trade, giving up a fourth-round pick, a second-round pick, and Louis Crevier.

Still, the final size of the contract astonished Daily Faceoff reporter Scott Maxwell.

– I can’t remember the last time a contract surprised me this much. It’s still unreal that Byram received such a large contract, even though his career-best season has only produced 42 points and he brings almost nothing to defensive play, Maxwell charges.

According to Maxwell, the contract is such a clear overpayment that he considers the most likely explanation to be the Blackhawks’ misjudgment of the player. In his view, the team needed reinforcement on defense, but there were better options available than Byram.

Maxwell sees potential long-term consequences with Byram’s contract.

– This contract could not only slow down the Blackhawks’ development during Connor Bedard’s best playing years but also go down in history as one of the worst contracts of all time.

The five worst contracts in NHL free agency according to Daily Faceoff are:

Bowen Byram, Chicago Blackhawks – six years, 12.5 million dollars per season.
Jacob Trouba, San Jose Sharks – four years, 8.25 million dollars per season.
Rasmus Andersson, Vegas Golden Knights – seven years, 8.5 million dollars per season.
Dan Vladar, Philadelphia Flyers – five years, 5.5 million dollars per season.
Leo Carlsson, Anaheim Ducks/Philadelphia Flyers – five years, 18 million dollars per season.