Not really worried about our long term contracts other than the Moore one. To this point Blake has somewhat staggered the long term contracts and the AAV averages if that makes sense. Starting next year.
We have the 2 long term guys In Fiala and Anderson. (6- 8 years)
Fiala is heavy AAV and Anderson mid AAV. Both given to younger players that will play out at least half the contract in their prime producing years. I have no issues with this.
The middle tier contracts (4 to 5) years:
I count Doughty in this one. Super heavy AAV on the downslope of a career. Only 4 years left
We have Moore’s contract with a medium AAV. He is in his peak years and he has many intangibles. The reason I don’t like this is he blocks the pipeline. It’s not like the left D pipeline that is baron for years to come. We have Vilardi, Kaliyev, Kempe, Fiala, as top 6 guys and a plethora of you talent in Kupari, Fagemo Turcotte, and others that will need spots.
Kempe - one of the best and fairest contracts in the league. In his prime. Just a beast.
Danault - 4 years left at a bit above medium AAV. Older player that brings unique intangibles. Is cast as a 2nd line center but should slide to an Elite 3rd line role hopefully in the next year as Byfield takes the second center reigns. Either way Byfield has next year on his ELC helping balance out the center position overall AAV
The rest of the contracts are 3 years or less.
Our best player hits UFA in a year. Yes he is old and slow but he continues to put up points and play a solid two way game and insulate the younger centers as he takes the hard assignments. Blake will resign him but it won’t be for the $10 million a year. Even if he takes shorter term average annual value contracts that frees up extra money to resign Byfield.
The only other person that will probably need a longer-term contract coming up will be Vilardi. I still think he takes a bridge deal, which may be in his best interest as if he keeps up his raider production he will get paid in the future. I also think goodness by field really breaks out next year. He will get a bridge deal as well at mid range AAV
Contract wise, I think Blake is in a really good position. He has lineup everything really well and I can see him offering Gavrikov the extra years as we truly have nothing in the pipeline and the guy is the exact fit we need. We have a ton of offensive players coming up that are young and skilled on the right side and you have two long-term locked in left side defensemen to pair them with Anderson and Gavrikov really takes the burden off of Blake. Trade Walker in the off-season for a Lauzen type player we are set
The only issues going forward is to sort out, goaltending and start treating off some of the extra fodder we have up front for exact needs or future picks.
