Washington Capitals' 3 Worst Contracts of 2023-24

The Washington Capitals might be the most shocking story this season as they have stayed in the close playoff race despite having a pretty big negative goal differential. The team has managed to win games, and although they have gotten rid of some bad contracts, there are still a few less than ideal ones that remain this season.

Darcy Kuemper

Darcy Kuemper has lost his starting job and it has been that way for a while now. For the most part, he struggled a lot and didn't give the team a chance to win unlike Charlie Lindgren. Kuemper has been taking a backseat and barely playing, now only getting into 31 games and winning 13 with a .888 SV%. He still has three more years left at $5.25 million AAV and it won't look good if he can't get his numbers back up to where they should be.

Ethan Bear

The Capitals brought in Ethan Bear after the season had started, and surprisingly didn't take the upper hand in contract negotiations. While a team could've got him for less than $1 million AAV because nobody had signed him yet, the Capitals settled on $2.062 million AAV. Bear hasn't played a whole lot, averaging less than 15 minutes per game of ice time and only getting into 24 games this season, providing just four points as well.

Nick Jensen

Nick Jensen doesn't have a horrible contract, but it isn't exactly good this season. For a defenseman that is paid over $4 million per season, he has averaged less than 20 minutes a night. The 33-year-old has also taken a step back offensively as well, producing one goal and 13 points after five goals and 29 points last season. If he played a bit more on a now less crowded right side, he would be more worth his money. He still has two more years left on his deal.