Today we offer to get acquainted with Top 10 largest NHL contracts in 2012.
Even people far from sports know that the highest paid hockey players play mostly in the NHL. Multi-million dollar contracts are concluded for more than one year. Clubs get the player at their disposal for 7-10, or even 12-15 years.
Breaking such a contract is not easy - the forfeit, as a rule, reaches enormous proportions. And yet, talented hockey players are happy to give themselves over to the managers of the club that pays the most, because the career of a professional player is short-lived.
10. Marian Hossa (Marian Hossa), a contract for $ 68 million, a period of 12 years
The Slovak striker has been playing for the Chicago club since 2009. By the way, the younger brother of striker Marcel Goss is a hockey player of the Continental Hockey League.
9. Mike Richards (Michael Richards), $ 69 million, term 12 years
The contract was originally signed with Philadelphia, but was redeemed by the Los Angeles Kings club. Last season, Mike Richards got the Stanley Cup.
8. Duncan Keith (Duncan Keith), $ 72 million, term 13 years
Winner of the 2010 Stanley Cup and champion of the 2010 Winter Olympics in the Canadian national team has been playing at Chicago Blackhawks since 2005.
7. Henrik Zetterberg (Carl Henrik Zetterberg), $ 73 million, term 12 years
Henk has the titles of Olympic champion, Stanley Cup winner and world champion. The Swede has been playing Detroit Red Wings with a short break since 2002.
6. Vincent Lecavalier (Vincent Lecavalier), $ 85 million, term 11 years
The most expensive hockey contracts, as a rule, are concluded for a considerable period. The current Lecavalier contract is the shortest of all ten.
Probably, the deadline was set taking into account the age of the 32-year-old captain and central striker Tampa Bay Lightning.
5. Zach Paris (Zachary Justin "Zach" Parise), $ 98 million, term 13 years
Attacking Zack moved to Minnesota from New Jersey Devils, where he played for the past 6 seasons.
4. Ryan Suter, $ 98 million, 13-year term
Suter is the silver medalist of the 2010 Olympics as part of the US team. This year, he moved to Minnesota from the Nashville Predators.
3. Ilya Kovalchuk, $ 100 million, term 15 years
The most expensive hockey players, including two Russians, were in the top three leaders of our Top 10. Kovalchuk plays for “New Jersey” at the rank of super forward. Moreover, the club’s management offered Ilya a contract for 17 years, but the NHL did not agree with this period. As a result, the parties came to an agreement, securing Kovalchuk for “New Jersey” for 15 years.
2. Sidney Crosby (Sidney Patrick Crosby), $ 104.4 million, term 12 years
The largest NHL contract concluded this year will take effect in the summer of 2013. By the way, the Pittsburgh Penguins captain’s contract is not insured against early retirement. So, Crosby will receive a solid salary until 2025, even if he can not go on the ice.
1. Alexander Ovechkin, $ 124 million, term 13 years
The most expensive contract was concluded for a period of up to 2021 and brings “Alexander the Great” $ 9.5 million per season. It was the Ovechkin contract, concluded in 2008, that became the first in the history of hockey, which exceeded the mark of 100 million. She has been with the Washington Capitals since 2005.