The NHL's worst value contracts of 2025-26: A deep dive into the costliest per-point production among forwards
The NHL's 2025-26 season has come and gone, and with it, a host of disappointing performances and costly contracts. This article takes a closer look at the forwards whose points came at the highest price, exploring the reasons behind their underperformance and the implications for their teams.
- Brandon Tanev: The Offense Vanished
Tanev's three-point campaign in 2025-26 was a stark contrast to his ten-goal, 22-point season just one year prior. Signed to a three-year deal in Utah, he was expected to provide energy and penalty killing, but his offense vanished entirely. Tanev's three assists came at a staggering $833,000 per point, the worst rate in the league by a comfortable margin. This alarming drop-off raises questions about his future with the team and the potential for a trade.
- Garnet Hathaway: A Goal and an Assist in Round 1
Hathaway's production took a hit from the previous year, when he tallied ten goals and 21 points. His $2.4MM cap hit priced those points at $800K each in his final full season in Philadelphia. While his regular season was lackluster, Hathaway's performance in the playoffs cannot be overlooked. His goal and assist in Game 2 against Pittsburgh were crucial in the Flyers' series win. The trade to Florida for the final year of his deal at an effective $1.2MM raises questions about his long-term role with the Panthers.
- Maxim Tsyplakov: A Fresh Start in Calgary
Tsyplakov's journey across three organizations in six months is a testament to the NHL's fluidity. His four points in 49 games came at a cost of $563K per point on a $2.25MM hit. The Russian forward's production ability is undeniable, having scored 30 goals for Spartak Moskva in the KHL. The Flames, who struggled offensively in 2025-26, are hoping that Tsyplakov's fresh start will reignite his scoring touch.
- Trent Frederic: A Long Runway in Edmonton
Frederic's $3.85MM cap hit for seven points in 74 games is a cause for concern. The Oilers' eight-year, $30.8MM extension to the St. Louis native raises questions about his ability to recover from a high-ankle sprain and regain his former 40-point scoring touch. With seven years left on the deal, the Oilers are hoping for a resurgence in depth scoring.
- Jesperi Kotkaniemi: A Stanley Cup Champion on the Sidelines
Kotkaniemi's season was a strange one, scratched frequently through a nine-point, 42-game regular season. His $4.82MM cap hit priced those points at $536K per point. The Stanley Cup champion sat for all 19 playoff games, raising questions about his future with the team. The buyout-versus-trade debate has hung over him all summer, with some speculation that Carolina wants to unload his contract.
- Frank Vatrano: A Fractured Shoulder and a Cap Crunch
Vatrano's offense collapsed to nine points in 50 games, costing him 22 games due to a fractured shoulder. His $4.57MM cap hit priced those points at $508K per point. With Anaheim in a cap crunch and rumors of contract moves, Vatrano's name has been in the mix for trades. The two years remaining on his deal raise questions about his future with the team.
- Ryan Reaves: An Expiring Contract and a Public Desire to Finish His Career as a Shark
Reaves' $1.35MM cap hit for three goals in 50 games at 39 years old is a testament to his longevity. With his contract now up, he's an unsigned free agent who publicly desires to finish his career with San Jose. The Sharks' cap space and interest in bringing him back will be a key factor in his future.
- Jonathan Huberdeau: A Chronic Hip Problem and a Consequential Rehab
Huberdeau's 25 points in 50 games came at a cost of $420K per point on a $10.5MM cap hit. His chronic hip problem, which led to a shutdown at the Olympic break and hip resurfacing surgery in March, is a major concern. The Flames' long-term commitment to Huberdeau, with five more years at $10.5MM, raises questions about the team's ability to find the former 115-point scorer they acquired in the Matthew Tkachuk trade.
- Ondrej Palat: A Trade and a Declining Production
Palat's production declined significantly after a trade to the Islanders in January. His 15 points in 80 games came at a cost of $400K per point on a $6MM hit. The one-year remaining on his deal signed in Tampa raises questions about his future with the team and the potential for further decline in production.
- Phillip Danault: A Goalless Start and a Stabilizing Second Half
Danault's goalless start in Los Angeles was followed by a stabilizing second half in Montreal. His 17 points in 75 combined games came at a cost of $324K per point on a $5.5MM hit. The Canadiens' hope for a resurgence in 2026 and a return to his 40-point scoring range is a key factor in their future plans.
