KHL's highest paid player Darren Dietz has reportedly fallen out of favour with his team

What a roller coaster ride it's been for Darren Dietz. The defenceman - who was drafted by and played 13 games for the Montreal Canadiens in the NHL - was signed to a KHL contract with the highest salary in the league's history. However, it seems things have gone south recently.

According to reports out of Russia, Dietz, who is the captain of the KHL's Barys Nur-Sultan, is not currently playing with his team. Barys says it's an injury, but according to Sport-express.ru, "no one believes that." Offense isn't the issue. Dietz has nine goals and 20 points in 29 games this season. However, he's a minus-19 right now. There are rumours of a potential trade, but that could be difficult.

"Darren is a very poor defender, and defending seems to be an imposed duty. He has become slow, he has no time, sometimes because he does not want to do anything. Who needs him?," said Sport-express.ru.

Dietz is getting 100 million rubles per season, the equivalent of $1.33 million USD. It's a lot of money by KHL standards. While it is the highest salary in the league, the KHL does not count, or even record bonuses on its salary cap. There are rumours that guys like Vadim Shipachyov are having their salaries tripled and even quadrupled through under-the-table bonuses. Still, Dietz is making a lot of money in Russia and the prospect that another team would want to take on that salary when he's defending so poorly is very small.

Dietz has been playing with Barys since the 2017-18 season. The year after that was his best in the league. He had 53 points (15G, 38A) in 62 games and was a plus-30.

MUST READ

34 minutes ago  |  By Aaron Itovitch Don Cherry Brutally Calls Out Darnell Nurse for Actions Leading to Ryan Reaves' Suspension

1 hour ago  |  By Tyler Ball Columbus Blue Jackets Linked in Trade to 75-Point Scorer by NHL Writer

13 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks Unforeseen Events Nearly Force Toronto Maple Leafs vs Utah Hockey Club Game to be Postponed

14 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks NHL Department of Player Safety Makes Official Ruling On Canucks Captain Quinn Hughes

15 hours ago  |  By Aaron Itovitch Canadian Team Unexpectedly Places 6-Foot-3 Enforcer on the NHL Waiver Wire

16 hours ago  |  By Aaron Itovitch Elliotte Friedman Hints at Trade of 30 Million Dollar Defenseman to Canadian Team

19 hours ago  |  By Aaron Itovitch 900-Game NHL Veteran Likely to Retire After Refusing to Sign With Canadian Team

19 hours ago  |  By Aaron Itovitch Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving Addresses Struggling Player Nick Robertson in New Interview

MORE STORIES