Pittsburgh Penguins: The 5 Worst Contracts Heading Into the Offseason

Feb 6, 2015; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Johnston on his bench against the Calgary Flames during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

With what is sure to be an eventful offseason already entering full-swing, Pittsburgh Penguins General Manager Jim Rutherford and Head Coach Mike Johnston are sure to be faced with a number of perplexing decisions, difficult questions and seemingly impossible hurdles. The team’s disappointing finish to the regular season, and ultimately the playoffs, highlighted a number of problems with the team’s structure, a number of which could be found in the form of poor contracts.

While a great deal of space will be opened by players whose contracts expired, including Craig Adams and Thomas Griess, the Penguins will still find themselves handicapped by a series of incredulous contractual obligations. With a championship-caliber team, it is natural to invest a great deal of money in top-tier players. One of the Penguins’ primary problems, however, is that so much money has been dedicated to players who are no longer top-tier and are, as such, limiting the team’s ability to field a deep and full roster.

The unfortunate reality is that there are more than a few of these type of contracts on the Penguins, but here are the five worst that the team must try to rid themselves of if they wish to propel themselves past the disappointing results of the 2014-2015 campaign.