Confirmed Signing with Link: [CHI] D Alex Vlasic signs extension with the Blackhawks (6 years, $4.6M AAV)

[BKarchitect]

Exactly as much as Zub, who's the better player...

Zub was 27. Vlasic is 22. You’re paying with the idea that this rookie (and team) have room to grow in his 22-28 age seasons.

 

[Zman5778]

More or less the Matthias Samuelsson deal - it feels like the right kind of bet.

Exactly my thought as well.

Nice tidy deal for the Blackhawks.

 

[The Nuge]

It’s too much money right now, but he’s shown pretty well so far. Likely a good gamble that ends up a bargain

 

[wej20]

His offense should increase proportionately to the Hawks actually having legitimate NHL forwards.

He has great vision and a great stretch pass, and also knows when to rush/join the rush. His skating is fantastic for a big body. He's also pretty damn good at getting his shot through for the forwards to tip and/or bang in rebounds. Once those, and his stretch passes and such start getting buried by legitimate top 6 forwards, his points will go up. I figure he'll be good for 35-40 points most years, with some higher years mixed in. Just my opinion.

I mean that would be impressive given how much he didn't score in college. Could see 30 points purely just because he's going to eat a ton of minutes.

 

[CanadianHawks]

Great contract. I think this is a steal. Even if he regressed from last year he’s a top 4 stay at home D man who is mobile. If he continues this level of play or improves this is one of the best contracts in the league. Having him locked up through his 20s at a very affordable price allows the Hawks a lot of flexibility.

 

[Pestilence]

He also sets himself up for a real nice payday at 28

Maybe for something like 8 year, $56,000,000 contract

 

[Il Stugotz]

Good deal for both sides

Lots of people watch hockey and have absolutely no clue what they're seeing...

Lots of people "watch" hockey while looking at their phones the whole game

 

[WarriorofTime]

Maybe for something like 8 year, $56,000,000 contract

We will see what the cap is at by then. By NBA standards, $7 million per year means you’re practically homeless.

 

[sxvnert]

Huge win for the Hawks.

 

[Jared Dunn]

Maybe for something like 8 year, $56,000,000 contract

Whatever this reference is, over my head

 

[HawksDub89]

What odds on him putting up more offense? He's never been much of a scorer.

Definitely never going to be the selling point of his game. But I think he can be a 30-35 point guy in his prime.

Even if that never happens the contract is still great value.

 

[Pavels Dog]

20k posts and still take like this about defensive defenseman, eh?

He could be the best player in the NHL this season (he wasn't) and I still absolutely hate these premature contracts. It's one season, minimal risk that Vlasic explodes into a 80 point d-man next season. There's nothing wrong with a bridge deal every once in a while.

 

[Malaka]

Whatever this reference is, over my head

Guessing he’s referring to his cousins payday

 

[ChiHawks10]

He could be the best player in the NHL this season (he wasn't) and I still absolutely hate these premature contracts. It's one season, minimal risk that Vlasic explodes into a 80 point d-man next season. There's nothing wrong with a bridge deal every once in a while.

He actually was one of the best defensive D in the NHL(top 5) based upon analytics, as well as the eye test.

And what? This basically is a bridge deal. It buys up two years of UFA, and isn't max term, and it's at a fantastic value for both sides, and has the potential to be an absolute steal of a contract in just a year or two's time. What do you think the best defensive dmen in the NHL SHOULD be paid?

 

[Teemu]

Very nice. I was expecting the same term in the low 5's

 

[Pestilence]

Whatever this reference is, over my head

That is the contract Marc-Édouard Vlasic signed when he was about the same age, maybe just not that funny reference anyhow.

 

[GIN ANTONIC]

Literally have never heard of this player but that’s on me. Blackhawk fans seem to be thrilled so he must have shown something to get that deal. Time will tell but maybe a steal like Slavin and Pesce were for the Hurricanes back in the day

 

[Ledge And Dairy]

Crazy that Marc-Eduard played long enough to be in the league with his son

Pretty sure Alex is his nephew

 

[CallMeShaft]

Literally have never heard of this player but that’s on me. Blackhawk fans seem to be thrilled so he must have shown something to get that deal. Time will tell but maybe a steal like Slavin and Pesce were for the Hurricanes back in the day

Understandable if you've never heard of him. 2nd rounder in 2019 who looked at most like a future bottom pairing guy up until this season when he realized he could use his long reach (he's 6ft6) and solid skating to constantly poke the Puck off sticks and kill plays before they ever develop.

He played so well this year that some models have him as a top 5 shutdown defender; including an article by The Athletic that had him at 2nd best league-wide.

So just a really under the radar guy right now.

 

[Ledge And Dairy]

19 NHL points. Insane deal, I don’t care if he turns into Bobby Orr next year.

He was one of the best defensive dmen in the league as a rookie, the only way Chicago lost this deal is not getting the 7th and 8th year

 

[GIN ANTONIC]

Understandable if you've never heard of him. 2nd rounder in 2019 who looked at most like a future bottom pairing guy up until this season when he realized he could use his long reach (he's 6ft6) and solid skating to constantly poke the Puck off sticks and kill plays before they ever develop.

He played so well this year that some models have him as a top 5 shutdown defender; including an article by The Athletic that had him at 2nd best league-wide.

So just a really under the radar guy right now.

Damn… kind of sounds exactly like Slavin but bigger… by a lot

How’s his speed/agility/skating overall?

 

[Mrfenn92]

Damn… kind of sounds exactly like Slavin but bigger… by a lot

How’s his speed/agility/skating overall?

His skating is really good

 

[Ledge And Dairy]

To be fair the disparity highlights that Chicago were icing four non-NHL dmen whenever Jones and Vlasic weren't on the ice. It's unlikely guys like Zaitsev, Tinordi, Murphy, or Megna are in the league when their contracts are up. Korchinski obviously wasn't ready defensively. Not that Vlasic isn't a solid dman, just comparisons to team mates are not great when half the team are AHLers.

Obviously shutdown D never really get paid too, and Vlasic's own cousin Marc-Edouard is a good example of why. This is a pretty fair value contract for the player Vlasic was this year, assuming no regression in the future as Chicago gets better top pairing options. There's no reason for Chicago to not take gambles like these with 77 million in cap space in the summer of 27.

Zaitsev will probably go back to Russia this summer. Tinordi will probably get another deal but will likely be waiver fodder. Murphy will definitely have another NHL contract. Megan will get another cheap deal, I would not be surprised if he ends up on Pittsburgh to pair up with Karlsson again

 

[Jared Dunn]

That is the contract Marc-Édouard Vlasic signed when he was about the same age, maybe just not that funny reference anyhow.

Oh yikes, and I think he was on a similar contract to this leading up to that too lol. Maybe Chicago will have better luck and walk away

 

[Jared Dunn]

He could be the best player in the NHL this season (he wasn't) and I still absolutely hate these premature contracts. It's one season, minimal risk that Vlasic explodes into a 80 point d-man next season. There's nothing wrong with a bridge deal every once in a while.

Disagree, this is exactly what teams like Chicago with tons of cap space and no realistic ambition to compete for a while should do. Even if it's an overpay for the next year or two it could very well be a steal when they are turning a corner