Jabobber Hockey

After a relatively gridlocked offseason between restricted free agents and their respective NHL teams, the final month before the regular season has seen five big names sign three-year deals. Aptly called “bridge deals,” these contracts are an opportunity for young guns to prove themselves even further and earn the money they deserve. With contract negotiations completed, these players are free to focus on what they do best: play hockey. Not only will they tear it up over the next three years, but also, they will be positioned to sign the substantial 7 or 8-year deal doled out to NHL superstars.

Matthew Tkachuk – The most recent RFA to sign, Matthew Tkachuk inked his name on a three-year, $21 million contract with the Calgary Flames. In three seasons, Tkachuk has 174 points in 224 games, significantly increasing his point total from 49 to 77 last season. The 21-year old perfectly rides the line between power-forward and skilled sniper and playmaker – a combination rarely seen in today’s NHL. At 6’ 2”, 202 lb., Tkachuk is not afraid to throw his weight around and use it to score goals right in front of the net. Of his 34 goals last year, 23 were even-strength tallies, demonstrating his ability to be a difference-maker during 5-on-5 and 5-on4- play.

Tkachuk will only be 24 when this contract expires. If he maintains his scoring pace, he will easily eclipse the 400-point career total. That is a favorable position to be in, to say the least, and it will be interesting to see how Calgary’s next three seasons unfold. Regardless, Tkachuk is a centerpiece in the team. Alongside Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan, the Flames have raw talent up-front that has made and will make them a powerhouse.

Brayden Point – The oldest of these five players at 23, signing Brayden Point was the priority for the Tampa Bay Lightning. The two sides settled on a three-year, $20.25 million contract, coming in at $6.75 million per year. Taken in the third round of the 2014 NHL Draft, Point debuted during the 2016-17 season and registered 40 points in 68 games. He has only improved since, increasing his point totals from 66 to 92 over the past two years. His dominating performance last seasons balanced scoring, 41 goals, and playmaking, 51 assists, making him a key forward on Tampa’s already star-studded roster.

Point is expected to miss the start of the season after undergoing offseason hip surgery. Whether or not this injury will plague him throughout the season remains him to be seen. But, if it does not, the sky is the limit for him. With Kucherov, Stamkos, and Tampa Bay has no problem producing offense. Point does not simply complement that offense; he is a driver of it. Maintaining this pace for three years will both make Tampa a deadly threat and position Point nicely for negotiations at age 26.

Brock Boeser – A proven scorer, Boeser signed a three-year, $17.625 million contract with the Vancouver Canucks. The 22-year old potted 26 goals in 69 games last year. He has yet to play a full season, and he is currently under concussion protocol after taking a hit this preseason. Hypothetically, a healthy Boeser alongside Elias Pettersson would make Boeser an elite goal-scorer. But injuries pose a serious threat and could hinder the raw goal-scoring potential of the forward. He will be 25 after this contract, and it is difficult to tell what position he will be in at that point. Every team needs a player who can consistently score 25 goals. Will Boeser be able to elevate his game to elite goals scorer status, or will he always remain right on the cusp? Obviously, injuries are a huge factor, but Boeser has shown flashes of brilliance that could become constant with a revamped Vancouver team and if he remains healthy.

Charlie McAvoy – The 14^th overall pick of the 2016 NHL Draft has met, and perhaps even exceeded, expectations in his first two seasons with the Boston Bruins. McAvoy has yet to play an entire NHL season because of injuries, but he has still registered strong numbers for a young defenseman. Away from the puck, he has been even better. He can make a strong first past, skate the puck up the ice himself, and quarterback a powerplay. Not to mention he has already suited up for 41 playoff games. All traits that earned him a three-year, $14.7 million contract this offseason.

A healthy McAvoy is a dangerous McAvoy. He already logs over 22 minutes a game, and his ice time will most likely continue to increase. Elite right-handed defensemen are not easy to come by, and McAvoy will be a valuable player at 24 years old after this deal expires. Unless something drastic changes in Boston, he will stay there, as he already is a foundational piece of the Bruins defense. It will be interesting to see what McAvoy can do in a complete NHL season.

Zach Werenski – Speaking of right-shot defenseman, Zach Werenski was the first player in this group to sign. At three-years, $15 million, the Columbus Blue Jackets tied up a player any team would want on their blue line. Drafted 8^th overall in 2015, Werenski has neared the 50-point mark in two of his three NHL seasons. With the significant departures of Matt Duchene and Sergei Bobrovsky, Werenski’s offensive output will hover around the same low-to-high 40s. But you can be assured that Werenski will be motivated to perform throughout the next three years. For, depending on how the Blue Jackets rebuild, he might be looking elsewhere at the end of this bridge deal. Werenski will be 25 at the end of this contract, a prime age for defensemen. Three strong seasons will make him an even more desirable commodity for any team looking to shore up their defense and willing to pay him.

Patrick Laine, Kyle Connor, and Mikko Rantanen remain unsigned RFA’s and each player is seeking a bigger ticket than a bridge deal. But for these five young guns, the three-year contracts are an exciting time. It is a commitment between player and team that if you perform well, we will take care of you. Now, the onus is on these players to prove that they can help their team win.

^{Featured Image: Sergei Belski , USA TODAY Sports}