Rasmus Dahlin signed his enormous new contract extension on the eve of the NHL regular season, so now is a good opportunity to look back and compare his deal to previous high-priced defensemen contracts over the years. Or you can just skipped that to playing games from privecity online casino.
Here are the top five biggest D-man contracts in NHL history, including facts such as when and where the contract was signed, how much it was worth, and the length of the contract.
Do the deals hold up to this day? Do the defensemen they signed still perform at the level for which they were paid? Let’s see.
1. Nashville Predators signed Shea Weber to a 14-year, $110-million contract on July 24, 2012
Weber still holds the record for the highest contract ever signed by a defenseman. The Philadelphia Flyers initially offered Weber the contract as an offer sheet, which he accepted. But because he was an RFA, Nashville could match the offer, which they did. Weber spent the first four seasons of his contract in Nashville, collecting a season-high 56 points in 2013-14 before being dealt to the Montreal Canadiens in June 2016 for P.K. Subban. Weber subsequently became the Habs’ captain, leading the team to the Stanley Cup final in 2020-21, and several best online casino Australia had the season covered in odds. He hasn’t played since and is presently on the Arizona Coyotes’ long-term injured reserve. His contract will expire at the end of the 2025-26 season.
2. Minnesota Wild signed Ryan Suter to a 13-year, $98-million contract on July 4, 2012
Suter was picked seventh overall by the Predators in the 2003 NHL draft. When he left in free agency nine years later, the Minnesota Wild thought it was time to spend big money on a defenseman whose best result in Norris Trophy voting was eighth in 2011. He served nine of the thirteen contract years before being bought out on July 13, 2021.
3. San Jose Sharks signed Erik Karlsson to an eight-year, $92-million contract on July 17, 2019
The latest addition to the Pittsburgh Penguins’ all-in bid for the next Stanley Cup comes with a sizable contract and some impressive silverware. Coming off a career-high 101-point season, the five-time NHL all-star and three-time Norris winner aims to continue where he left off offensively last year in search of his first Cup.
4. Los Angeles Kings signed Drew Doughty to an eight-year, $88-million contract on July 1, 2018
After winning two Stanley Cups and a Norris Trophy, the second overall pick in 2008 outlasted his previous contract of eight years and $56 million. Doughty struggled with on-ice production and injuries after signing his hefty contract. After last year’s bounce-back performance with 52 points in 81 games, let’s see if he can maintain his form again this season.
5. Buffalo Sabres signed Rasmus Dahlin to an eight-year, $88-million contract on Oct. 9, 2023
The breakout youngster produced a career-high 73 points last season and placed in the top 10 in Norris voting for the first time. With Buffalo’s young core locked up, including fellow defenseman and No. 1 overall draft pick Owen Power, the Sabres will look to make the playoffs for the first time since 2011.