Joined: Jun. 2021
Posts: 198
Likes: 71
My thoughts on KK:
I think he signs a bridge. He’s played on the 3rd line, many times as a LW, and he’s still very young, and developing.
He was drafted as a #1C prospect, I suspect that many GMs still see him as just that. Size, skill, hockey IQ. A top 3 pick. Montreal drafted him to be their future #1C, if he eventually becomes their #2C, it would mean either a bit of a bust, or they have another great Center.
#2C as UFAs are $6M+, #1C are $8-12M. Even top RFAs have signed for over $8M per on longer term deals.
Is Jespari worth $6M+ today, I don’t think so, I’m also not sure many others would think so. Could he be worth that in a year or two, yup.
I can’t see a value that would work long term. Sign for 6+ and the risk is on Montreal in the short term, and if Jesperi develops into a #1C, he’s leaving millions on the table in the back years. Perhaps a $6x7 might work, but there is lots of risk on both sides.
Hence a bridge deal. I think that 2 years and $2.8-3.4M is most likely. He hasn’t played as well as Dubois who signed for $5M coming off his ELC) as the # 3 pick 2 years prior, but I can’t see him signing for less for more than 1 year. There are other comparables, but he’s a bit unique in that he’s only 3 years removed from his draft, and usually those players are the true superstars/elite (Matthews, Laine, McDavid, Eichel, Marner, Tkachuk, etc.) and those players performed much, much better their first 3 years.
It will be a fascinating negotiation to see the results of.