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Bad NHL contracts: Isles' Rick DiPietro near top of list

The New York Islanders selected Rick DiPietro first overall in the 2000 NHL Draft.

By Brandon Kline
Bruce Bennett

Paul Grant at ESPN.com ranked some of the NHL's worst contracts, and it's no shock that New York Islanders goaltender Rick DiPietro made the list.

Rick DiPietro signed a 15-year $67.5 million deal with the Islanders back in 2006. After successful campaigns in his first two seasons under the new contract, the goalie began a long bout with injuries to his head, hips, knees, and groin. DiPietro has found many unique ways to get injured including the NHL skills competition and a goalie fight. Over the last four seasons, DiPietro has started just 43 games.

The Islanders could buy DiPietro's contract out for $27 million, which would be the biggest buyout in NHL history. He is signed with the team through 2021.

Remarkably, DiPietro came in at second on Grant's list, behind Montreal's Scott Gomez. Gomez's seven-year $51.5 million contract is not nearly as long as DiPietro's, but it is far more costly per season.