5 worst contracts signed in New Jersey Devils history feat. Ryan Clowe

The New Jersey Devils became a team in 1974, although the franchise previously was in Kansas City and Colorado. However, since being established in New Jersey, the Devils have made plenty of great signings, but also some poor ones.

That said, here are five of the worst contracts in franchise history.

5 worst contracts signed in New York Islanders history

#1. Ryan Clowe

In the 2013 offseason, the New Jersey Devils handed Ryan Clowe a five-year, $24.25 million contract.

Clowe was expected to add a physical presence but also some much-needed offense to the lineup. However, Clowe skated in 43 games his first season and then played just 13 the next season before dealing with a concussion which ended his career.

Clowe ended up recording just eight goals and 30 points in 56 games.

#2. Alexander Mogilny

Alexander Mogilny is a borderline Hall of Famer, but the Russian's end of career did not go well.

In the summer of 2005, Mogilny signed a two-year, $7 million deal to return to New Jersey. He was supposed to add offense to the lineup, but the Russian struggled mightily to keep up as his age caught up to him.

He skated in just 34 games before being sent down to the AHL and did not get medically cleared to play the second season and his career ended like that.

#3. Vladimir Malakhov

The 2005 offseason was a forgettable one for New Jersey, along with the Mogilny contract, the Devils handed Vladimir Malakhov, a 36-year-old defenseman, a two-year, $7.2 million contract.

Malakhov skated in just 29 games before leaving New Jersey, which the Devils thought was a retirement, while the defenseman claimed was a leave of absence, which New Jersey rejected.

The Devils had to trade a first-round pick to San Jose the following offseason to get off his contract.

#4. Anton Volchenkov

Anton Volchenkov was a serviceable player in the NHL as he was a hard-hitting defenseman.

The Devils needed to improve their defense in 2010 and inked the defenseman to a six-year, $25.5 million deal. However, injuries plagued his time with the Devils as he played in 222 games over four seasons and ended up having his final two years of the deal bought out.

#5. Ilya Kovalchuk

Ilya Kovalchuk was one of the top players in the NHL and the New Jersey Devils rewarded him with a staggering 15-year, $100 million deal.

Kovalchuk was on his way to being a Hall of Famer, as he had 201 points in 222 games for the Devils, including 83 in the 2012 playoffs as New Jersey went on a Cinderella run to the Finals.

However, just three years into the deal, Kovalchuk retired from the NHL so he could return to Russia to play pro hockey in his home country.