Version 2.0 of my overpaid/underpaid series. I'm going to start off with the overpaid because it's more fun. Underpaid will be a top 20 list. The order is already finalized so I just have to start the write-ups. Might take me a little while tho lol. Tried my best to keep it to actives only. Here we go…


Top 10 Overpaid Players


10. Jordan Hall - $7,000,000
- Jordan Hall was arguably the Texas Renegades best player during the last 4 seasons. He led the team to back-to-back Challenge Cups, but failed to get them into the playoffs in S22. The Renegades made the playoffs in S23, but Hall was not nearly the player that he was in previous seasons. Hall finished S23 with 12 goals, 21 assists and 33 points. Respectable numbers, but not elite and arguably not even #1 center worthy numbers. Nevermind worthy of 7 million dollars. He did however play the physical game that we've become accustomed to seeing from him, finishing S23 with 149 hits. Hall was traded to the Winnipeg Jets during the off-season where he started his career and now will likely finish it. He took a major pay cut, so it will be nearly impossible to make this list again in the future.


9. Aviad Ratzon - $6,500,000
- Aviad Ratzon was a free agent during the off-season and decided to leave West Kendall for a large pay day in Edmonton. Ratzon was able to net 17 goals on the high powered Edmonton offense, but only notched 10 assists for 27 points. He did play a physical game with 153 hits while playing almost 23 minutes per game. Ratzon was a positive addition to the Blizzard roster, which came up just short of winning another Challenge Cup. He did however make the overpaid list as 27 points just does not warrant 6.5 million dollars. Ratzon is still a young player and many expect him to improve on his game in S24. If he fails to do so, he will likely be right back on this list next year.


8. Zalleras Szerlchek - $8,500,000
- Zalleras Szerlchek is the face of the West Kendall Platoon. He has been a very under appreciated player in the league for a few years now in regards to the national media, but certainly not by his team. West Kendall paid Szerlchek 8.5 million dollars last year and he was their 3rd leading scorer. Szerlchek finished S23 with 15 goals, 20 assists and 35 points. He also added 173 hits while clocking over 25 minutes of ice time per game. These numbers are very respectable, but just not up to the expectations of the 2nd highest paid player in the entire SHL. West Kendall surely will not complain about Szerlchek and the way he plays the game and leads his team, but if they plan on ever truly competing for the Challenge Cup, Szerlchek will have to do better.


7. Etienne Modano - $6,000,000
- Etienne Modano was a crucial player for the LA Panthers during their S22 regular season and eventually run to the Challenge Cup Finals. While many expected him to truly establish himself as an elite player, he failed to do so in S23. Modano finished the season with 13 goals, 15 assists and 28 points. Not bad numbers whatsoever, but not worthy of his 6 million dollar contract. Modano plays a one dimensional game and 12 of his points came on the power play. Modano will either have to improve his offensive production in S24 or play a more well rounded game if he wants to be excluded from version 3.0 of the overpaid list.


6. Edge Ochocinco - $4,000,000
- Edge Ochocinco was a high draft pick in S21 and has yet to live up to the hype. Ochocinco finished S23 with 5 goals, 10 assists and 15 points, while averaging 19.12 minutes per game. This equates to 0.30 points per 20 minutes, which is absolutely horrendous. You might say 4 million dollars isn't much in the SHL these days, but when you pay a guy decent money and play him as much as the Stars did, you expect more production. Ochocinco combined his porous offensive numbers with a team worst -15 plus/minus rating. He did play with some physicality finishing the season with 78 hits, but that is not nearly enough to keep his name off this list. Ochocinco was traded to Manhattan in the off-season and the Rage will be expecting Ochocinco to finally break out and tap into the potential that made him a 1st round draft pick.


5. Bryson Thomaz - $5,000,000
- Bryson Thomaz was a free agent in the off-season and decided to sign with the Texas Renegades. He knew coming to Texas meant less minutes and likely less offensive production than what he was used to, but the opportunity to win was more important to him. However, not many believed his production would fall off so dramatically. Thomaz finished S23 with 7 goals, 8 assists and 15 points, while playing 3rd line minutes. Thomaz did not get any power play time and all of his points came during even strength play. He did only average less than 14 minutes of ice time per game, so his numbers may not be as bad as they seem. Even with the diminished ice time, the Renegades will surely expect more from Thomaz in S24 as he is now a top 6 forward for the team.


4. Anton Gustafsson - $4,000,000
- Gustafsson started S23 out as a defenseman on the Renegades 3rd defensive pairing. After struggling mightily he was moved back to his natural forward position, but demoted to the 4th line. S23 was by far Gustafsson's worst season as a professional, which was quite a shock to many experts. He was expected to continue his growth as a player, but he finished S23 with just 1 goal, 1 assist and 2 points. Horrendous numbers even for a 4th line player. His defensive numbers were not much better. He had a -5 rating with just 9 hits. S24 will be Gustafsson's last as he has announced his retirement from the game. He will be moved back up to the 3rd line and the new look Renegades will desperately need a better performance out of him if they plan on playing deep into the season.


3. Viktor Svensson - $5,000,000
- Svensson was a rookie in S23 and did not have a great start to his career. Rookie defensemen typically do not put up huge offensive numbers and Svensson did nothing to change that trend. He finished S23 with just 1 measly goal, 8 assists and 9 points. He did however bring some physicality to the ice finishing the season with 110 hits and a solid 58 blocked shots. The defensive numbers are relatively good for a rookie, but West Kendall paid him over $500k per point. His 5 million dollar contract is just simply far to much money to be paying a defensive defenseman in this era of SHL hockey. Svensson can and most likely will improve in his sophomore season and prove to be worth the money, but he certainly was not in S23.


2. Shawn Velevra - $10,000,000
- Shawn Velevra has been a key player for the Texas Renegades since they acquired him from the Los Angeles Panthers. Velevra has switched from defense to forward in order to help the team and give them the best chance at success. Although Velvera is loved by his teammates on and off the ice, S23 was one to forget. He finished the season with 13 goals, 15 assists and 28 points. He also added 71 hits and 22 shot blocks. These are not horrendous numbers for the average SHL forward, but given the fact that Velvera is the highest paid player in the league, these numbers are not what is expected from him.


1. Belial - $6,500,000
- The Calgary Dragons have been a mess of a franchise for quite some time. They have failed to reach the playoffs for 4 straight seasons and have not won a playoff series in 8 years. That is quite simply amazing given some of the talent that has come through Calgary. Experts have their theories on why the Dragons have had such little success in recent history, ranging from bad goaltending to poor GM decisions. Some have come to the defense of the Dragon's GM, but giving Belial a 6.5 million dollar contract is one decision that is indefensible. This is the 2nd straight season Belial has made the list, finishing 4th in the S22 version. He is the only returning member of the exclusive overpaid club, so congrats to Belial on that accomplishment. Belial finished S23 with just 9 goals, 8 assists and 17 points. He had a horrendous -18 rating and brought little to no physicality, finishing with 9 hits and 7 shot blocks. If the Dragons ever want to reach the playoffs again they need to rid themselves of players like Belial. Paying a player that much for that little production cripples your entire roster and leads to 4+ year playoff droughts.

1,564 words

Belial the only repeat performer =D>

Big Sizzle signed for 6m contract money this season, btw.

Is this for last season? Because while Byrde is a great guy, I'm not sure I believe any player could NOT be overpaid at $21M.

Good article, though!

Olli Saarinen, Jr | New Orleans Specters
Name: Olli Saarinen, Jr
Position: Goalie
Measurements: 6'11, 181 lbs
Number: 79
Birthplace: Finland


Awards
-------------------------------------------------------------
-

History & Leadership
-------------------------------------------------------------
S51 SMJHL Entry Draft: 7th overall (Halifax Raiders aka Maine Timber)

Career Statistics
-------------------------------------------------------------
Regular Season:
S51 SMJHL (HAL): GP:11 | W: 3 | L: 2 | OTL: 2 | PCT:0.921 | GAA:2.28 | SO: 0

Playoffs
-

Profile | Updates



Isak Ødegård | San Francisco Pride
Name: Isak Ødegård
Position: Defense
Player Type: Offensive Defenseman
Measurements: 5'11, 170 lbs
Number: 9
Birthplace: Hell, Norway


Awards
-------------------------------------------------------------
S35: Won the Occasus Trophy with the Whalers
S35: Won the 4 Star Cup with the Whalers
S35: Won Vancouver Whalers' Rookie Award
S35: Won IIHF Gold with Team Norway
S36: Won the Laurifer Trophy with the Whalers
S36: Won the Occasus Trophy with the Whalers
S36: Won the 4 Star Cup with the Whalers
S36: Won Vancouver Whalers' Top Defenseman Award
S36: Won IIHF Silver with Team Norway
S38: Won IIHF Silver with Team Norway
S39: Won the Mathias Chouinard Trophy with the Chiefs
S39: Won the Challenge Cup with the Chiefs
S40: Won the Mathias Chouinard Trophy with the Chiefs
S50: Won the President's Trophy with the Pride

History & Leadership
-------------------------------------------------------------
S35 SMJHL Entry Draft: 1st overall (Vancouver Whalers)
S36 SHL Entry Draft: 1st overall (Minnesota Chiefs)
S36: Named Alternate Captain of the Vancouver Whalers
S44: Traded to the San Francisco Pride

Career Statistics
-------------------------------------------------------------
Regular Season:
S35 SMJHL (VAN): GP:50 | G: 7 | A:18 | P:25 | SB:30
S36 SMJHL (VAN): GP:50 | G:10 | A:27 | P:37 | SB:66
S37 SHL (MIN): GP:50 | G: 1 | A: 7 | P: 8 | SB:35
S38 SHL (MIN): GP:50 | G: 4 | A:15 | P:19 | SB:66
S39 SHL (MIN): GP:50 | G: 5 | A:14 | P:19 | SB:64
S40 SHL (MIN): GP:50 | G:12 | A:20 | P:32 | SB:78
S41 SHL (MIN): GP:50 | G: 8 | A:23 | P:31 | SB:58
S42 SHL (MIN): GP:50 | G:11 | A:26 | P:37 | SB:58
S43 SHL (MIN): GP:50 | G: 7 | A:34 | P:41 | SB:88
S44 SHL (MIN/SFP):GP:49|G:12| A:24 | P:36 | SB:95
S45 SHL (SFP): GP:50 | G: 9 | A:30 | P:39 | SB:69
S46 SHL (SFP): GP:50 | G: 6 | A:31 | P:37 | SB:86
S47 SHL (SFP): GP:50 | G:12 | A:24 | P:36 | SB:63
S48 SHL (SFP): GP:50 | G: 9 | A:29 | P:38 | SB:69
S49 SHL (SFP): GP:50 | G:13 | A:16 | P:29 | SB:61
S50 SHL (SFP): GP:50 | G: 3 | A:28 | P:31 | SB:74
S51 SHL (SFP): TBD

Playoffs
S35 SMJHL (VAN): GP: 9 | G: 1 | A: 3 | P: 4 | SB: 4
S36 SMJHL (VAN): GP:12 | G: 4 | A: 7 | P:11 | SB:10
S37 SHL (MIN): GP: 6 | G: 0 | A: 0 | P: 0 | SB: 2
S38 SHL (MIN): GP:14 | G: 4 | A: 3 | P: 7 | SB:18
S39 SHL (MIN): GP:15 | G: 3 | A: 2 | P: 5 | SB:21
S40 SHL (MIN): GP:20 | G: 2 | A: 9 | P:11 | SB:29
S41 SHL (MIN): GP: 6 | G: 1 | A: 4 | P: 5 | SB:13
S42 SHL (MIN): n/a
S43 SHL (MIN): GP: 4 | G: 0 | A: 1 | P: 1 | SB: 4
S44 SHL (SFP): n/a
S45 SHL (SFP): n/a
S46 SHL (SFP): n/a
S47 SHL (SFP): GP: 5 | G: 2 | A: 0 | P: 2 | SB: 4
S48 SHL (SFP): GP: 6 | G: 0 | A: 0 | P: 0 | SB: 8
S49 SHL (SFP): n/a
S50 SHL (SFP): GP: 4 | G: 0 | A: 2 | P: 2 | SB: 8
S51 SHL (SFP): TBD

Profile



Nathan Russell | NE Wolfpack | Hall of Fame
Name: Nathan Russell
Position: Right Wing
Player Type: Power Forward
Height: 6'3"
Number: 14
Birthplace: Easton, MA


Awards
-------------------------------------------------------------
S23: Won the Mathias Chouinard Trophy with the Wolfpack
S23: Won the Challenge Cup with the Wolfpack
S24: Won IIHF Bronze with the USA
S25: Selected to 2nd All Star Team - W
S27: Selected to 2nd East All Star Team - C
S27: Nominated for the Sarmad Khan Trophy
S27: Won IIHF Bronze with the USA
S28: Won the Jeff Dar Trophy
S28: Nominated for the Sarmad Khan Trophy
S30: Won the Mathias Chouinard Trophy with the Wolfpack
S30: Won the Challenge Cup with the Wolfpack
S30: Won the Jeff Dar Trophy
S31: Won the President's Trophy with the Wolfpack
S31: Won the Mathias Chouinard Trophy with the Wolfpack
S31: Won the Challenge Cup with the Wolfpack
S31: Won IIHF Gold with the USA
S31: Selected to 2nd All Star Team - F
S31: Nominated for the Jeff Dar Trophy
S31: Nominated for the Sarmad Khan Trophy
S32: Nominated for the Jeff Dar Trophy
S32: Won the Damien Littleton Trophy
S33: Won the President's Trophy with the Wolfpack
S33: Won the Mathias Chouinard Trophy with the Wolfpack
S33: Won the Challenge Cup with the Wolfpack
S33: Nominated for the Anton Razov Trophy
S34: Won the President's Trophy with the Wolfpack
S34: Won IIHF Gold with the USA
S37: Inducted into the SHL Hall of Fame

History & Leadership
-------------------------------------------------------------
S19 SMJHL Entry Draft: 2nd Round, 10th overall (Regina Force)
S20 SHL Entry Draft: 1st Round, 7th overall (New England Wolfpack)
S22: Named Alternate Captain of the Wolfpack
S22: Named Co-General Manager of the Wolfpack
S23-29: Named General Manager of the Wolfpack
S30-35: Named Captain of the Wolfpack

Career Statistics
-------------------------------------------------------------
Regular Season:
S19 SMJHL (REG): GP:40 | G: 8 | A:11 | P:19 | H:70
S20 SHL (NEW): GP:50 | G: 1 | A: 4 | P: 5 | H:81
S21 SHL (NEW): GP:52 | G: 4 | A: 7 | P:11 | H:61
S22 SHL (NEW): GP:52 | G: 7 | A:14 | P:21 | H:142
S23 SHL (NEW): GP:52 | G: 5 | A:26 | P:31 | H:137
S24 SHL (NEW): GP:52 | G:14 | A:22 | P:36 | H:134
S25 SHL (NEW): GP:50 | G:25 | A:24 | P:49 | H:116
S26 SHL (NEW): GP:50 | G:13 | A:28 | P:41 | H:94
S27 SHL (NEW): GP:50 | G:16 | A:27 | P:43 | H:135 | FO:55.30%
S28 SHL (NEW): GP:50 | G:19 | A:29 | P:48 | H:213 | FO:54.74%
S29 SHL (NEW): GP:50 | G:22 | A:21 | P:43 | H:157 | FO:54.94%
S30 SHL (NEW): GP:50 | G:16 | A:37 | P:53 | H:217 | FO:54.66%
S31 SHL (NEW): GP:50 | G:21 | A:34 | P:55 | H:228 | FO:57.15%
S32 SHL (NEW): GP:50 | G:14 | A:34 | P:48 | H:152 | FO:55.14%
S33 SHL (NEW): GP:50 | G:12 | A:28 | P:40 | H:103 | FO:56.85%
S34 SHL (NEW): GP:50 | G:16 | A:26 | P:42 | H:95 | FO:54.45%
S35 SHL (NEW): GP:50 | G:15 | A:31 | P:46 | H:186 | FO:54.93%

Playoffs
S19 SMJHL (REG): GP: 4 | G: 0 | A: 0 | P:0 | H:4
S20 SHL (NEW): GP:11 | G: 1 | A: 2 | P: 3  | H:11
S21 SHL (NEW): GP:11 | G: 0 | A: 3 | P: 3  | H: 7
S22 SHL (NEW): GP: 5 | G: 0 | A: 0 | P: 0  | H: 7
S23 SHL (NEW): GP:19 | G: 4 | A: 4 | P: 8  | H: 50
S24 SHL (NEW): n/a
S25 SHL (NEW): n/a
S26 SHL (NEW): GP: 4 | G: 1 | A: 2 | P: 3  | H: 3
S27 SHL (NEW): n/a
S28 SHL (NEW): GP: 7 | G: 1 | A: 1 | P: 2  | H:23 | FO:53.23%
S29 SHL (NEW): n/a
S30 SHL (NEW): GP:14 | G: 7 | A:12 | P:19  | H:71 | FO:56.49%
S31 SHL (NEW): GP:19 | G: 5 | A: 9 | P:14  | H:55 | FO:54.34%
S32 SHL (NEW): GP:11 | G: 2 | A: 3 | P: 5  | H:30 | FO:55.61%
S33 SHL (NEW): GP:18 | G: 6 | A: 7 | P:13  | H:57 | FO:53.31%
S34 SHL (NEW): GP:11 | G: 3 | A: 4 | P: 7  | H:26 | FO:53.31%
S35 SHL (NEW): GP: 9 | G: 5 | A: 5 | P:10  | H:40 | FO:56.84%

Profile

Originally posted by prettyburn@Jun 15 2015, 08:33 AM
Is this for last season? Because while Byrde is a great guy, I'm not sure I believe any player could NOT be overpaid at $21M.

Good article, though!

Oh true I didn't think about that. i thought it was for this upcoming season.

Originally posted by prettyburn@Jun 15 2015, 08:33 AM
Is this for last season? Because while Byrde is a great guy, I'm not sure I believe any player could NOT be overpaid at $21M.

Good article, though!

Top 10 Overpaid SHL Players in S23

Alex, go to bed )

Former
SHL Head Commissioner S12ish-S27ish
GM S8 & S9 (Won cups both years)
2x GM Of The Year
5 Time Cup Winner
League MVP

Past Players
D - Aidan Richan - (S5 11th Overall)
C - Chico Salmon - (S17 1st overall)  

Current Player
D - Chico Smeb (S46)
SMJHL - Drafted 65th Overall by
SHL - Drafted 23rd Overall by

Originally posted by xDParK@Jun 15 2015, 08:39 AM
Alex, go to bed )

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i hope to return to the list for S24 :->

Originally posted by #NoBradyNoBanner@Jun 15 2015, 09:51 AM

<object width="460" height="315"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pZkhyF1lw2s&start=10"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pZkhyF1lw2s&start=10" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="460" height="315"></embed></object>

Link to part 3

Former
SHL Head Commissioner S12ish-S27ish
GM S8 & S9 (Won cups both years)
2x GM Of The Year
5 Time Cup Winner
League MVP

Past Players
D - Aidan Richan - (S5 11th Overall)
C - Chico Salmon - (S17 1st overall)  

Current Player
D - Chico Smeb (S46)
SMJHL - Drafted 65th Overall by
SHL - Drafted 23rd Overall by

Originally posted by xDParK@Jun 15 2015, 08:58 AM

Link to part 3

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I will accept a 16mil contact my last season just to make it on this :ph34r:

i'll playwith anyone
playing with my teammates is part of the intangibles I bring to the table
i play with them a lot.
they didn't like it at first
but after a while, it just felt normal

4-0 and 0-4 aren't that different tbh

FIRE EGGY
HIRE ARTY

So is Byrde going to have to break every record ever to avoid this list next time?

Originally posted by Bojo@Jun 15 2015, 09:39 AM
So is Byrde going to have to break every record ever to avoid this list next time?

san francisco group of cats - mikael koskinen
quebec city citadelz  - mikael koskinen

Originally posted by Bojo@Jun 15 2015, 09:39 AM
So is Byrde going to have to break every record ever to avoid this list next time?

It's probably safe to say he'll be #1 )