When Gavin McKenna's new deal comes it, it's going to be expensive especially considering Connor Bedard's new deal gives him a boatload of money and he'll want more.
On Saturday afternoon, the Chicago Blackhawks locked up superstar forward Connor Bedard to a five-year, $75-million contract extension that keeps him firmly in the Windy City and part of a young core of players who could be incredible in a couple of seasons.
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Connor Bedard's $75-million deal resets the market for young stars
It's a massive contract but for a player who was reportedly looking for even more money on his next deal, it's a nice even number that still gives the Blackhawks a bit of flexibility but ensures their young star gets everything he deserves.
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Also interesting is that Bedard's deal isn't for the maximum length, and the Blackhawks did him solid by giving him the flexibility to choose his own path after his contract is up, which is a great deal of class and trust in your superstar.
It's not as expensive as Leo Carlsson's contract and there was a serious risk of him being offer sheeted, however with the Blackhawks' proactiveness, he's staying in town. That's great news for Chicago, their fans, and Bedard - but it also makes things a lot harder for other teams.
Take for example, the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Toronto may need to extend McKenna before his value skyrockets
Right now they don't really have to worry about re-signing Gavin McKenna considering he just signed his entry-level deal, but if he performs as expected and puts up ridiculous numbers over the next few years, he's going to get paid just as much if not more.
Granted, we have to see how McKenna is going to do in the NHL first before we decide how much he's going to get paid, but for a generational talent with the potential to be a perennial 90-100 point player and only 18 years old, it's a worthy investment.
Unlike Bedard, Toronto can't really afford to give McKenna a five-year deal, and with the new CBA they only can give him a maximum of seven years for a new deal; which is absolutely fine and places him at only 25.
That sets him up for a gigantic deal as he heads into his prime, which could end up being something similar to a McDavid deal where we see him sign short-term, then cash in massively as he hits his prime.
Money has never been the focal point for McKenna at any point in his career but nobody can deny that level of financial security helps a lot.
While we don't know what his exact price is going to be when his time comes around, but Gavin McKenna's price is at least going to be what Connor Bedard is making and that means he's going to break the bank.
Will Gavin McKenna earn more than Connor Bedard on his next contract?
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