THE STORY
In July 2013, the Toronto Maple Leafs signed forward David Clarkson to a seven-year, $36.75 million contract. Clarkson's performance fell short of expectations, leading to his trade to the Columbus Blue Jackets in February 2015. He was later placed on long-term injured reserve due to a back injury, effectively ending his NHL career.
TEAMS / PEOPLE:
NHL teams and players
WHY IT MATTERS
Clarkson's contract is often cited as one of the most significant free-agent signing mistakes in NHL history, highlighting the risks of long-term contracts for players without a proven track record.