Love it.
I think there is an argument that he's not currently worth $3.75M AAV on a 2 year deal as an RFA without arbitration rights. I also think there is an argument that he is already worth that since goals are the most valuable thing in the sport for a forward. But even if it is a small immediate overpay, I'm very happy to pay it in order to get certainty for the next 2 years, eliminate him as a retaliatory offer sheet target, and ensure that we are negotiating his next (hopefully long term) contract when he is still 2 years from UFA status.
He is a player I wanted to bridge and I'm completely content with this number as the AAV to accomplish that goal.
This new deal ends the same summer that Faulk, Krug, and Binner's current deals come off the books. At the moment, Thomas, Kyrou, Buch, Schenn, and Parayko are the only contracts on the books for 2027/28 (with Schenn's expiring at the end of that season). We will absolutely be able to afford however much he earns when this deal expires.