Edited Jul. 27, 2019 at 12:09 a.m.
Quoting: buchiegang
Tough this year and next but it opens up quite nicely after that...
That's why I think they should have signed him to one of the following deals:
$3,500,000 x 4 years = 28 at expiry
(same as the Kerfoot Contract)
$4,000,000 x 5 years = 29 at expiry
$4,500,000 x 6 years = 30 at expiry
New York probably won't be a contender this year or next ... but they're likely to be one in years 3-6.
- If Buchnevich has a breakout year in either of the next 2 seasons (fairly likely) ... his cap-hit will jump from $3,250,000 to $7,000,000+
- This will eat up a big chunk of their newly freed up cap-space right when New York's window of contention opens
- They'll need this cap-space for guys like
Zibanejad, Kakko Fox, Howden, Andersson, Chytil, Kravstov, Hajek, Goergiev, etc
- They'll also need to sign a few UFA's to round out the roster in a couple years (ex: Shattenkirk, Stall and Smith replacements)
The extra $250,000 - $1,250,000 would make it harder for NY to navigate this year ... but it would be more than worth it in years 3-6 when they're contending.
I made this exact same comment after Max Domi signed in Montreal (when everyone was praising Bergevin for the low AAV bridge deal).
- Montreal wasn't a contender last year and they won't be one this year
- They had plenty of cap space to lock Domi up for 4-7 years
- Domi was coming off a 45 point season (similar to Buchnevich)
- A long-term deal would only cost around $4,500,000 at that point
Now Domi will probably cost $7,500,000 - $9,000,000 on a long-term deal ...
Right when their cup window opens and all their best players + prospects need raises.