Sports teams could have put a man on Mars with all the money thrown away on dead-fish talents and over-the-hill has-beens.
And, with the NHL free agent market open for business Friday and the NBA offseason posing a ton of money questions, two recent contract moves have many people scratching their heads.
In the NHL, the Penguins, Red Wings and Canadiens are waiting on future Hall of Famer Jaromir Jagr and his expected return to the league.
Jagr, who won numerous scoring titles, league MVPs and two Stanley Cups, has proven there is something left in the tank after his performances on the international level the last few years. Rumor has it, the Penguins tossed their former forward a one-year deal but are waiting on the green light from Jagr and his agent.
Sure, Jagr has been able to pick up his game versus a mishmash of international squads, but can he still cut it in the NHL after playing in the KHL since 2008? He’s one the greatest international player to ever grace the NHL ice but he’s 39 and a well-documented malcontent when things aren’t going well.
Over in the NBA, a looming lockout hasn’t stopped the Trail Blazers from pulling the trigger on the $8.8 million qualifying offer on former first-overall draft choice, Greg Oden.
The highly-touted center was the top pick in the 2007 draft but has only played a total of 82 games since, due to multiple knee surgeries and minor dings. The action allows the Blazers to match any offer thrown at the free agent this offseason, but with a pending lockout and changes coming to the salary situation, who knows if there will be any interest in former Ohio State star.
Oden, who was chosen ahead of NBA leading scorer Kevin Durant, was supposed to change the face of the franchise in Portland. He’s an elite shot blocker with natural defensive instincts and an improving touch on offense. But, looking at his limited work in the NBA, Oden appears to be among the worst all-time draft busts.
So which player is worth the shot: An aging hockey mega star or a fruitful by fragile prospect?