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Top 3 Worst contracts for Edmonton Oilers since 2006

By Almar Reyes

MONTREAL, QC - DECEMBER 09: Milan Lucic #27 of the Edmonton Oilers screens goaltender Antti Niemi #37 of the Montreal Canadiens during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on December 9, 2017 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Edmonton Oilers defeated the Montreal Canadiens 6-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - DECEMBER 09: Milan Lucic #27 of the Edmonton Oilers screens goaltender Antti Niemi #37 of the Montreal Canadiens during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on December 9, 2017 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Edmonton Oilers defeated the Montreal Canadiens 6-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – JANUARY 13: Milan Lucic #27 of the Edmonton Oilers and William Karlsson #71 of the Vegas Golden Knights fight for the puck in the third period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on January 13, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Oilers won 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – JANUARY 13: Milan Lucic #27 of the Edmonton Oilers and William Karlsson #71 of the Vegas Golden Knights fight for the puck in the third period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on January 13, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Oilers won 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

LW Milan Lucic

On the opening day of free agency back in 2016, the Edmonton Oilers signed free agent power forward Milan Lucic to a seven-year $42 million contract, an annual salary of $6 million. At the time of the signing, we were delighted at the idea of Lucic playing alongside young superstar Connor McDavid. A 6’3 hulking player who was an integral part of the cup-winning Boston Bruins in 2011, Lucic was a welcome addition to the Oilers.

In the first year of the contract, Lucic was able to record 23 goals and 50 points while helping the Oilers reach the playoffs for the first time since 2006. Although the Edmonton Oilers fell in the 2nd round of the playoffs versus the Anaheim Ducks, it was a successful year for Milan Lucic and the Oilers.

The same cannot be said during the second year of Lucic’s tenure with the Oilers.  In the 2017-2018 season, Lucic only managed to net 10 goals and get 34 points.  It was a disappointing season for Lucic and the Oilers which left us wondering if that was the start of his decline. Sure enough, it was, as Lucic followed that up with only 6 goals and 20 points.

This prompted the Oilers to ask Lucic to waive his no-movement clause back in 2019. Lucic was then traded to their Alberta’s arch-rival, the Calgary Flames alongside a conditional 2020 third-round pick in exchange for forward James Neal.  A lateral move trade, as Neal was also owed an average salary of $6 million as well which provided no cap relief for the Oilers.

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