[Signing] Washington sign Kuznetsov (8 year, 7.8 mil AAV)

[StrykerSteve]

7.8M is a pretty substantial overpay, IMO.

Calgary's contracts are remarkably reasonable, compared to the dollars being thrown around this week.

[Fire]

Seems like a reasonable deal to me. I believe 6 of those years are UFA years.

[Bourque's Twin]

This is one of the worst contracts I've seen in a while. I think Kuznetsov is great but he isn't as proven as this.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

As usual, you continue to misunderstand the importance of age as it factors into NHL contract negotiations.

I don't follow. I don't think Backlund should get paid this but isn't the fact he's slightly older and UFA going to help him?

[genetic_phreek]

I don't understand why people think it's such a bad deal. He's not as proven with numbers yet but it's also based on his potential too. Watching a lot of Caps game this season, Kuz really drives a lot of the plays. The entries into the zone, the puck possession was unreal and created so much time in offensive zone. I might not trade Johnny for Kuz but anyone else on our roster I wouldn't blink.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

so that kind of sets the standard for 2nd line Centres. Could be Backlund's last year as a Flame.

I get the impression that you are the type of guy who wakes up on a sunny Saturday morning and says "ah ####, I am going to get melanoma today"

I would be worried about Backlund getting anywhere near this amount when he gets 59 points in a season, let alone 77 points.

[Stay Golden]

Ridiculous contract. Kuznetsov is not a 8m player, this contract is foolish.
Not a team or league friendly contract what so ever.

[Sylvanfan]

It seems a bit pricey to me. But it could be the price for a 1B center going forward. It is looking like Backlunds next contract could be having an AAV of 6 or more per year.

[ricardodw]

Mod edit

[codynw]

Mod edit

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

I don't follow. I don't think Backlund should get paid this but isn't the fact he's slightly older and UFA going to help him?

It would, if Kuznetsov was the sort of player that would draw comparisons to Backlund in his contract negotiation. In actual fact Kuznetsov's deal has little to do with the market value for "second line centres" as a universal concept and practically nothing to do with how Backlund's new contract will look.

[TheScorpion]

I love that even though their posts were mod edited, I can still tell exactly what ricardo and codynw were saying.

[tsquared1967]

This deal really Kutnutzov the Capitals that I think they will try to move Lars Eller. They have 17 contracts that total $70.1 million.