Edited Sep. 28, 2020 at 4:08 p.m.
I have a bit stronger feelings than what I've read above. That doesn't mean everyone else is wrong and I am right. It doesn't mean that AT ALL. It's just my thoughts and support as to why. It also doesn't mean AJ can't come back next year and produce where Kap left. That's entirely possible too. I don't have a crystal ball.
While the $3.4M contract isn't great...I think people need to understand why it's a bad contract. I don't view these two players as true comps.
A.) Josh Anderson is in his 4th year and AJ's in his 2nd. Just like I wouldn't give Kubalik or Holl massive contracts...AJ got a relatively large contract after 1 year of meh play...It worries me. 1 year of 20/20 is not worth $3.4M 4 year IMO.
B.) While some might point to the higher point total for Josh last year...I wouldn't. 4 points is nothing. Bounce of the puck here or there could be anything.
C.) Josh is a little bigger and more physical. Built for playoff hockey. I can't ignore that.
D.) What I think is a VERY BIG deal...is that AJ played 86% of the time with Auston Matthews and his 2nd most common line mate was William Nylander. BUT Josh played less than 12% of his time with Pierre Luc Dubois. That's a MASSIVE difference. Boone Jenner is NOT a top 40 center man in the NHL. Matthews in my opinion is the 3rd or 4th best center in all of hockey. So, yeah...AJ's the recipient of an offensive system that inflates his stats. He's statistically LITERALLY the 4th most assisted player in the entire NHL. He doesn't drive play. Josh Anderson has a much greater responsibility and generates similar results.
E.) and he SHOULD cost less.