I should have brought this to your attention earlier this season, but here are the most expensive contracts in the NHL (listed below).  Some are ridiculously stupid, overpaid, and out of control.  If I were a team owner, the general manager would have been fired immediately after seeing these outrageous signings.  Then again, how many GMs are worthwhile in sports today?  I have found eight successful organizations in the four major sports in America.

Here are my picks (not in any order).

1. Detroit Red Wings – GM Ken Holland, who has been with the organization for 24 years, drafted Henrik Zutterberg in seventh round, Pavel Datsyuk 171st overall... wow! Just incredible.  They always make the playoffs, but cannot come through in the postseason (only 3 Stanley Cup Trophies since 1955-56 season, seven previously) ... this should be their year though, especially with an outstanding offense, captain Niklas Lidstrom-led defense, and above average goaltending (Hasek is not what he used to be)

2. New England Patriots Front Office – Since Robert Kraft’s purchase in 1994, the Pats have been successful.  They eventually drafted Tom Brady in sixth round, traded a fourth-rounder for Randy Moss, have already won 3 Super Bowl Rings, and are predicted to win their fourth Super Bowl this season since 2001.  Talk about dynasties.

3. New Jersey Devils - Uncle Lou Lamoriello drafted Martin Brodeur, Patrik Elias, John Madden, Scott Gomez, and traded for Scott Stevens, and the Devils have made the playoffs in 17 of the last 19 seasons, including three Stanley Cups in a span of nine seasons.  They left the Meadowlands for the Prudential Center this season, have not lost a beat, even though Scott Gomez and Brian Rafalski deserted them for more money and fame.

4. San Antonio Spurs... Gregg Popovich and R.C Buford have been active in the front office.  Buford has won three NBA championships as general manager of the Spurs (2003, 2005 and 2007).  They have drafted Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, David Robinson, Manu Ginobili, among other notables, and have won four NBA titles with “Pop” at the helm.  Oh yeah, Robinson and Duncan are only two of the most dominant big men of my generation (and possibly of all-time).  I put Duncan up there with Shaq, Hakeem, Wilt, Bill Russell, and Kareem the Dream, as members of the most valuable power forward/ centers in NBA history.

5. Dallas Mavericks - Mark Cuban is a genius for a long time, but really since purchasing the Mavs eight years ago.  He has hired the right personnel, including a free-throw shooting coach in Gary Boren, which has led to seven consecutive postseason appearances.  Led by No.2-ranked General Manager and president of basketball operations, Donnie Nelson, according to SI.com, the Mavericks have transformed into one of the most successful organizations and reached the 2006 NBA Finals (4-2 loss to Miami).  Nevertheless, Cuban, Nelson, and head coach Anthony Johnson are well-respected and rightfully so.

6. New York Yankees - 26 World Series Titles, but none since 2000... bye Torre, welcome Mr. Girardi.  They are not going to win another title with A-Rod in New York, mark my words (Scott Brosius, veteran leader, good ball player, successful in playoffs).  In the meanwhile, they are the most successful professional sports organization in the world.  The list includes 39 American League Pennants and 15 East Division titles.  They have raised Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada, and countless others through their minor-league system.  Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, and Phil Rizzuto are among their retired and legendary baseball players.

7. Boston Red Sox - fuck the curse, Manny is Manny, Ortiz is not on steroids, they won two World Series titles in the past four seasons, they aint looking back this upcoming season either.  Let’s not forget Josh Beckett, Curt Shilling, Jonathan Papelbon, Ted Williams, Carl Yastrzemski, Pedro Martinez, and Wade Boggs.  Hall of Famers and future nominees.

I would mention the Celtics, but they have not been respectable since the 1980s.  With Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett in the starting rotation, they are 29-3 thus far.

I am sure that I omitted some great organizations like the Los Angeles Lakers, Tennessee Lady Volunteers, Chicago Bulls of the 90s, and most recently, Detroit Pistons, who were also great in the late 80s to early 90s.  The Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Edmonton Oilers have not represented Canadian sports the last decade plus.

In terms of overpaid hockey players, the list is happening.  The Philadelphia Flyers erred when they signed Daniel Briere to a eight-year contract worth $52 million.  His career numbers were average until a breakout 95-point 200607 campaign.  Forwards Tomas Vanek and Scott Gomez, and defenseman Kimmo Timonen were signed to skyrocketing contracts.  For what reason? to suck? That's the feeling that I have.  Gomez signed a $51.5 million, seven-year contract with the New York Rangers, a contract usually reserved for A-line players.  The other overpaid blueliner Sheldon Souray signed a contract with the Edmonton Oilers for 5 years worth $27 million.  The Oilers are crying right now.  He had one scoring season above 40 points (2006-07: 64 points) and has struggled miserably this year with his new team.  Battling injuries that have limited Souray to 17 of the team’s 43 games, he has eight points and a -5 +/-.  Good job Oilers GM Kevin Love, who was an incredible skater and finished with 1498 career points, but a failure as their general manager.

On the other hand, some managers have made great decisions, draft picks, and other transactions.

Lidstrom, Lecavalier, Iginla, Gaborik, Datsyuk, Thorton, Luongo, and Pronger have earned their millions of dollars.  I am less confident about Gaborik and Pronger, but they managed to squeeze in with enough talent and success.

The Buffalo Sabres were vehemently fucked after last season's success.  Both of their co-captains Briere and Drury departed via free agency and showed no loyalty to their organization.  Professional athletes care about themselves before their team, even if they never win a championship.  Just pathetic.

Here are some veterans who should be on this list and are steals for less than the $6.25 million to be on this list.

1. Daniel Alfredsson, Ottawa Senators, team’s leading scorer thus far (55 points, t-5th among league leaders) at ripe age of 35.  He has remained with the Senators since they drafted him in 1994. Although he had a late start at 22-years-old, Alfredsson is coming off 80-, 103-, and 87-point seasons.  His cost? 5 years at $21.556 million.  He will likely retire in Ottawa after his contact expires in 2012.

2. Mats Sundin, Toronto Maple Leafs, 1291 career points with the Leafs, 11 consecutive 70-point seasons.  Sundin’s $5.5 million contract expires at the end of this season.  Similar to Alfredsson, Sundin is from Sweden and represents Team Sweden in the Olympics.  He has earned every penny.

3. Olli Jokinen, Florida Panthers captain since 2003, scored 180 points the last two seasons combined with a plus 32.  He is the future of the Panthers as they are dependent on him to lead them to the playoffs for the first time since the 1999-00 season.  He cashed in with four years and $21 million.  Solid investment.

4. Marc Savard, Boston Bruins, 96 and 97 points last two years, offensive leader of B's.  They own him until 2010 for $20 million.  He has my vote.

5.Ilya Kovalchuk, Alexander Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby - future of NHL, incredible talent, youthful, will make their millions, if they have not already, and have successful careers, if they have not yet started in that direction, which they have of course.

6. Carolina’s Erik Staal, Erik Cole. Both earn between 4-5 million per season, but have not shown dividends this season.  While Staal has 40 points thus far, Cole has struggled with 27 in 36 games.  I expect them to finish stronger, but until then, they are talented yet overrated.

Overrated Honorable Mentions:

Martin Havlát, CHI, who signed a 3-year, $18 million contract with the Blackhawks, was injured the past two seasons yet took advantage of a hard salary cap and the Hawks’ payroll.  He has 11 points in 13 injury-riddled games thus far.  He’s played in 77 games the past three seasons out of 246.  Jeez.

Underpaid Goaltenders:

1. Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils.  Brodeur is one of the best goaltenders in NHL history and dedicated to Devils organization.  He took less money to finish his career in the Swamp and now downtown Newark arena.  His current contract is 6 years and an average of $5.2 million.  There are eight netminders earning more than Brodeur, including Olaf Kolzig, and Jose Theodore, who lost his starting role to Peter Budaj, who is making less than a million this season.  Martin Gerber, Chris Osgood, and Ryan Miller rank in the top 10 in wins, but make pennies compared to the rest of the league.

2. Henrik Lundqvist, NY Rangers. He has carried the team while they struggled offensively, yet he is only making $4.25 million.  He is due for a huge raise after this year.  No worries.  He is the second or third best goaltender in the league behind Luongo and Brodeur.

3. Evgeni Nabokov, San Jose Sharks.  He has started every game for San Jose Sharks this year, has a 23-12-6 record, and is on pace for his first 40-win season.

4. Tim Thomas, Pascal LeClaire, Cristobal Huet, and Ilya Bryzgalov have certainly earned bonuses thus far while backstopping their NHL teams to success.

Top 25 salaries for 2007-08

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