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The 2020 NHL Entry Draft might be moved to early June. Should that happen, we’re going to be flooded with a ton of rankings in the very near future.
To get everyone in the spirit of rankings I thought it’d be fun to share mine for best contracts on the Calgary Flames.
In order to keep the post reasonably sized, and provide multiple days of content, I’m going to focus on only the forwards today.
I should note that only non-ELC contracts signed *beyond* the 2019-20 season will be listed. Let’s get to it.
1. Johnny Gaudreau ($6.75M, signed through 2021-22)
Gaudreau did not have his best season. He wasn’t as dominant as in previous years and, even on his best nights, highly inconsistent play from Sean Monahan put a lot of good work to waste.
Gaudreau still produced at a 68-point pace. That’s hardly eye-popping for a player of Gaudreau’s caliber but a) he shot the lowest percentage of his career (nearly 4% below average); b) Monahan, his most frequent running mate, went invisible for long stretches and; c) there was a coaching change during the season. The playing circumstances were hardly ideal and Gaudreau still contributed quite a bit.
Even accounting for this down season, Gaudreau has averaged 85 points per 82 games over the last three years. If we assume he’ll get back to that level – I think that’s a safe bet – he will look drastically underpaid.
Quite frankly, $6.75M annually is nothing for a point per game player with the ability to break a game open on any given shift.
2. Elias Lindholm ($4.85M, signed through 2023-24)
The Flames took somewhat of a risk when signing Lindholm to a six-year extension. It was far from egregious because we knew Lindholm would be a solid contributor; he already was. We just didn’t know Lindholm, who averaged ~13 goals the three seasons prior to signing, would be worth nearly $5 million annually. As it turns out, he’s worth more.
Lindholm has averaged more than 30 goals per 82 games with the Flames; he has developed into quite the sniper. He is also one of the better playmakers on the roster and is reliable in his own zone.
His versatility adds real value as well, especially considering he *could* move to 1C should the Flames shake things up and move on from Monahan this off-season.
3. Matthew Tkachuk ($7M, signed through 2021-22)
I love everything about Tkachuk. His skill set, his edge, his work ethic, his personality, his antics. He is the whole package. I think there’s a real argument to be made he is the most valuable player on the roster. If not already, he certainly will be very soon.
All that said, $7 million is a lot to pay someone when they’re coming out of their ELC and you’re not getting term. I fully understand the game is changing and younger players are rightfully getting paid what they deserve much earlier. I’m all for it. Tkachuk is completely worth it, too.
I’m just saying $7M for three years – with a big raise to come – is not a home run of a contract. That’s all.
4. Sean Monahan ($6.375M, signed through through 2022-23)
Monahan was touted as a high-end two-way center early in his career. I think we have all come to the realization that’s not true. His defensive impact, and ability to drive play, is severely lacking. He is a flawed player. With all that said, he is generally a damn good one in the offensive zone. Despite a very down 2019-20 campaign, Monahan has averaged ~30 goals and ~62 points per 82 games since entering the league. That’s very strong production.
Even with his flaws, I think it is fair to say Monahan – a 6’2’, 25-year-old center with high-end goal scoring ability – would command quite a bit more than $6.375M per if he were to hit the open market right now.
5. Mikael Backlund ($5.35M, signed through 2023-24)
I think Backlund has been criminally underrated for a large portion of his career. He’s not flashy and, at times, he leaves you wanting a little more offensively. Even so, he is one of the better defensive centers in the league and he’s contributed at least 45 points in five consecutive seasons. He is a fantastic 2C and well worth the money he’s being paid.
What’s keeping Backlund from a higher ranking is the fact he is 31 now. His best days, theoretically, are behind him and he’s going to be paid handsomely for *four* more seasons. That’s a lot of money to pay a guy while his game slowly (we hope!) deteriorates.
6. Derek Ryan ($3.125M, signed through 2020-21)
His contract was met with mixed reviews the day he signed it. Simply put, $3.125M seemed like a good chunk of change for a journeyman player on the wrong side of 30. It wasn’t, as it turns out.
Ryan has been a steady trooper for the Flames since Day 1. He has provided solid defense, chipped in offensively, and handled himself just fine when forced to move up the lineup for whatever reason. He also seems like one of the more well-liked players on the team, which certainly doesn’t hurt.
7. Sam Bennett ($2.55M, signed through 2020-21)
I feel comfortable saying he would have been paid equally as much, if not a little more, regardless of which GM gave him this deal. Bennett just hasn’t taken the necessary steps forward to make it a good one.
He has always lacked finishing and the ability to drive play. He’s been good for 25+ points anyway. Not this year; Bennett was producing at a ~19 point pace over 82 games.
He’s a useful player to have around. He’s just probably not worth the money he’s being paid right now, and he got it as an RFA.
8. Milan Lucic ($5.25M, signed through 2022-23)
I don’t need to spend much time on this one. Lucic is an inefficient producer at 5v5, he slows down any line he is on, and he’s not as physically dominant as he could be. There are a lot of times – even in rivalry games – he hovers around the edges and doesn’t really get involved.
Lucic is an OK player. His teams generally come out ~even on the scoreboard when he’s out there, which...well, fine. He just doesn’t move the needle (at all) and that’s kind of what he is paid to do.
If there is some sort of compliance buyout coming in the next year or two, Lucic is very clearly a goner. At least he should be.
numbers via naturalstattrick.com and capfriendly.com
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