- Jan 12, 2011
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You may be right. It'll certainly be an 8 year deal which is ok based on his age. If $9M would sign him, I'd do it with little hesitation....but I suspect it could take a few bucks more.I'll guess that Panarin's agent-along with most other agents-keeps a close eye on what Tavares and Matthews get and goes from there. He'll be 27 starting next season so an 8 year deal takes him through 34 which is about as good an age-time frame as a team can hope to sign a top player.
He's blown away every other CBJ in points production. He's a top 10 wing. It would be surprising to see him settle for less than $9 million per year. I think it'll be richer. His contract will probably include a NMC and a lot of bonus money as well. It's hard for me to see him signing for much less than Eichel did. Buffalo screwed up the pay levels with that deal. Edmonton's Draisatl deal will also cause problems for GMs.
I'll guess that he'll get $9.75 million/8 years/NMC/heavy bonus money. First year salary plus bonus in the $12 million range.
While I love his goal scoring, his assists are also incredibly impressive. Players often rack up assists because they made the last pass or pass just prior while the goal scorer does the rest of the work. In Panarin's case, so many of his assists are true table setters where the recipient just has to shoot; the goal is contingent on the perfect set-up from Panarin's skating and keen eye for the open spot. That's as rare a talent as his goal scoring.