Edited Jul. 31, 2018 at 9:52 p.m.
Quoting: DirtyDangles
Over-react to Wilson? That was an atrocious signing and everyone knows it. They guy hasn’t produced more than 35 points in a season. Sure he had a good playoff but anyone can get hot for what equates to 1/4 season.
Saying that, I think this is an overpay as well. There are a bunch of comparable/better players who are making significantly less. This doesn’t really matter for the Rangers though as they have the cap room.
For Skjei, I don't think this is really an overpay. He makes more money than some guys who are better D, but in terms of CH% he makes less than any of Rielly, Lindholm, Parayako, Hamilton, Jones, Orlov, Ristolinen or Slaavin. Which is fair because I think he is under this group. The dollars make it look like he got similar money, but I think the cap has just gotten to a point where $5M is now going to be more normal.
The Wilson contract is too high. They basically bumped him up into another tier of player. They are banking on him being more Brad Marchand than Boone Jenner.
I don't mind giving a guy a little extra money because you like his intangibles, or physicality, but do so by paying him at the higher end of guys he compares with, not by assuming that his physicality puts him in a higher end group.
A good comparable would have been Brandon Gallagher. With a similar CH%, and adjusting for 1 less year, you probably get Wilson valued at somewhere in the low 4's.
When you buy on a guy with upside, you do so because you are hoping the deal ends up looking like a steal. With Wilson, he would essentially need to double his production, and for that to become his new normal in order to ever feel like you bought low. That doesn't make it overly likely he becomes a bargain.