The Chicago Blackhawks locked up a key piece of their future earlier this week, signing Frank Nazar to a seven-year contract extension, carrying a $6.6 million annual average value (AAV).
Nazar has a total of 56 NHL games under his belt, scoring 13 goals and 14 assists over that time for 27 points. The 21 year old opted to sign his deal a year early, clearly happy with his current situation in the Windy City and the projection of the team and his career.
The club benefits from this too, signing him now gives the team cost certainty for the next eight years. This helps them to project their cap situation moving forward, allowing them to make trades and sign free agents with a key piece of their future set in stone.
Although the Edmonton Oilers do not have a budding young star due for an extension, they very well could in the near future — Hopefully, anyways.
Oilers young players
The acquisitions of Matthew Savoie and Ike Howard have helped boost the Oilers prospect pool and represent two players who are — to be frank — outliers in comparison to the rest of the pool. Both players have legitimate top-six upside, which could be realized as early as this upcoming season.
Savoie offers the Oilers speed, skill, and some high end play creation inside of the offensive zone. Front office executive Kalle Larsson also seems to be happy with how his off-puck game has progressed as well. This only helps his projection at the NHL level and helps to prove his worth to the club now and in the future.
Howard is a dual-threat winger who possesses a lethal shot, which could make him a real weapon offensively. His defensive game is not his calling card but most young players are not Selke candidates either. He too has the chance to be a true standout with a real opportunity to play with one of Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl. There are expectations that come with a player of his caliber and hype but given his play so far in college, he should be able to meet them.
It is clear that both of these players will be afforded great opportunities with the club and given their potential offensive ceilings, they could command a pretty penny down the road. When that time comes, the Oilers would be smart to follow in the Blackhawks footsteps and sign early.
Savoie specifically will be eligible to sign a contract extension as early as next July 1st. If he has a standout rookie year and contends for the Calder Trophy as 'Rookie of the Year', he could command even more money than Nazar. If not, then the Oilers could get him at a true bargain.