The NHL’s 10 worst contracts, 2021 edition: Drew Doughty retains his title

[santiclaws]

I just posted this in another thread...

I find it HILARIOUS that analytic nerds say Doughty's contract is THE worst in the NHL, while ACTUAL NHL PLAYERS rated him 4th best D last season and THE BEST D in 2019-20.

I bet half those guys didn't even play against Doughty last season. NHL players are just as susceptible to bias and memories of what someone once was, and if you needed any evidence, him being rated the best in 2019-20 is all the evidence you need . He was a ****ing disaster in 19-20. He was a little better last season, but he's not half the player he used to be, and that's without looking at stats. That's just having ownership of ****ing eyeballs.

[jt]

I bet half those guys didn't even play against Doughty last season. NHL players are just as susceptible to bias and memories of what someone once was, and if you needed any evidence, him being rated the best in 2019-20 is all the evidence you need . He was a ****ing disaster in 19-20. He was a little better last season, but he's not half the player he used to be, and that's without looking at stats. That's just having ownership of ****ing eyeballs.

Thanks for the laugh. I assume you meant this post as comedy.

I love the analytic nerds, but I trust actual NHLers over analytic nerds.

[santiclaws]

I love the analytic nerds, but I trust actual NHLers over analytic nerds.

I don't.

[jt]

I don't.

Seriously? You think actual NHL players don't know what makes for a good NHL player? Or are you talking about fantasy hockey? Because if you really do believe that actual NHL people don't know what makes for a good NHL player, I don't even know what to say.

[santiclaws]

Seriously? You think actual NHL players don't know what makes for a good NHL player? Or are you talking about fantasy hockey? Because if you really do believe that actual NHL people don't know what makes for a good NHL player, I don't even know what to say.

First of all, you are ignoring what I said - they were going by reputation and not necessarily what they personally observed recently, especially since I guarantee that many of the voting players did not even play against Doughty last season. Second, NHL players, when elevated to GM and coach positions, have repeatedly proven that many of them have no clue whatsoever regarding what makes a good NHL player. Third, I don't believe in the eye test, except as a very crude measure of a player, regardless of who administers the eye test. That includes NHL players and professional scouts. Analytics have become important for a reason. The primary reason being that people whose job it was to evaluate players weren't very good at it.

Again, these are the same players who voted Doughty the best defenseman in the NHL in 2019-20, when he was, by any measure including said eye test, a disaster. If you think they were right and he really was the best defenseman in the NHL, then I don't know what to say.

[dannybuoy1]

When Doughty is motivated, as we see maybe 2-3 times a year, he is one of the best. Look when the Maple Leafs come to town.

But there is nothing special about him anymore and it sucks cause he is still young and in his prime.

[jt]

First of all, you are ignoring what I said - they were going by reputation and not necessarily what they personally observed recently, especially since I guarantee that many of the voting players did not even play against Doughty last season. Second, NHL players, when elevated to GM and coach positions, have repeatedly proven that many of them have no clue whatsoever regarding what makes a good NHL player. Third, I don't believe in the eye test, except as a very crude measure of a player, regardless of who administers the eye test. That includes NHL players and professional scouts. Analytics have become important for a reason. The primary reason being that people whose job it was to evaluate players weren't very good at it.

Again, these are the same players who voted Doughty the best defenseman in the NHL in 2019-20, when he was, by any measure including said eye test, a disaster. If you think they were right and he really was the best defenseman in the NHL, then I don't know what to say.

Wow...just wow. Actual NHL people have no clue and only fans and analytic nerds are smart.

Okie dokie.

[Statue4Deano]

He was a ****ing disaster in 19-20. He was a little better last season, but he's not half the player he used to be, and that's without looking at stats.

First part, agreed. Second part, not so much. By most any measure, including the eye-test, he had quite a significant bounce back season last year. I'd suggest digging into the fancy stats if your eyes didn't see it. He put up the 2nd best PP stats of his career last season. Just a hair off his career best. What he didn't do was score 5 on 5. And that's absolutely a problem. But he also had the highest Fenwick REL. of his career. The team stunk. He didn't. He had almost no help 5 on 5 last season. Remember the Kings were 29th in the league in 5 on 5 goals.

In a vacuum, Drew's contract sucks. However, I would much rather have Drew and his contract vs. any other player (and their contract) on the worst contract list. There's plenty of tread left on his tires.

[Illegal_Stick]

Drew Doughty's number one problem is motivation. Last season was the perfect example. When the team looked like they could surprise everyone he was great. It wasn't a minor bounceback, it was starting to look like a true return to form. Then once the wheels fell off, he was awful. Now, should you find a way to get motivated for your millions and millions of dollars? Hell yeah, you should BUT if there is anyone here who would trade him for the likes of Erik Karlsson then I thank the lord you have no say over what this team does. I expect a full bounce back from Doughty this year because of the better team around him and as much as I love the guy, if you want to argue he should be motivated ALL the time, especially with his paycheck, I'd be hard pressed to win that argument.

[salami]

So here's the list according to Luszczyszyn.

1. Drew Doughty (D) (LAK)
2. Erik Karlsson (D) (SJS)
3. Jeff Skinner (F) (BUF)
4. Seth Jones (D) (CHI)
5. Oliver Ekman-Larsson (D) (VAN)
6. Marc-Edouard Vlasic (D) (SJS)
7. Logan Couture (F) (SJS
8. Josh Morrissey (D) (WPG)
9. Tyler Seguin (F) (DAL)
10. Ryan Johansen/Matt Duchene (F) (NSH)