Like I said ... I know that's jumping the gun significantly, but the hypothetical offer is contingent on his play for 60 games. What are we supposed to do but try and guess where he'll be?
In that situation, I think it's worth a discussion, one I doubt Nill entertains. The problem is we're not talking about Krug even being comparable. He was a 3rd pair PP specialists.
For the sake of talking contract ... Klingberg is on pace to potentially lead the Stars in average ice time or be in the Top 2/3 minimum. That should escalate his value pretty significantly.
Nill's stick isn't as big this year to negotiate with. It's looking rather obvious that 4 of his Top 7 D are RFA, and he won't have 4 NHL ready D behind 1 RFA next year. He'll have 4 RFA's with pretty much no NHL ready D unless you make a pretty decent stretch and say Honka or Lindell.
I think he could have a harder time playing hard ball. Not at forward though. Klingberg is for sure looking like a guy that will challenge him. You aren't talking Top 4 minutes .. you look like you're talking top pair, and he'll hit some dry spots, but the points aren't looking bad.
People gave me a hard time for *****ing about T.J. Barrie's awful contract. He was playing mostly 3rd pair minutes with the exception for about 40 years the season before. He had only 109 games played (including playoffs). Klingberg potentially is going to get to around 70. Maybe even the playoffs.
That guy is making $2.6 million. It's not a stretch to say one year of Klingberg on his current path is worth more than that. It'd be pretty reasonable if not much changes, and we're all hoping it doesn't.
It's a legitimate question to ask do you want pay this guy close to $3 right now for only 2 years and then who knows ... closer to $5 maybe or $6 depending on where he goes from here just two short years later? OR if you have the option, do gamble on going a bit higher for less evidence?
To me I always felt the bridge was better, and this is stupid admittedly, but something seems different about that guy. It's 6 games and that's why we're stuck talking hypothetical ... but he doesn't look you're average D. He's for sure past any expectation I thought I had of him in his first season.
In 20 more games .. it'll be interesting to re-visit the discussion though. Obviously now we have no clue where he goes ... flat, gets better, regresses. It'll be fun to watch.
I was just suggesting there's maybe not a ridiculous path that could lead to a longer contract.