The dust is not even close to settling on the Philadelphia Flyers' stunning offer sheet to Leo Carlsson. The 21-year-old star signed it, and we now await to see what the Anaheim Ducks will do. As we outlined in a previous piece, the Ducks have about seven days to match the offer.
On the surface, this situation may not have much to do with the Colorado Avalanche. You could argue that it might affect the Avalanche insofar as this situation is happening to a Western Conference team.
But there might be one unexpected consequence of this entire situation: Cale Makar.
Why would a five-year, $90 million contract to an RFA forward affect Makar?
Well, that’s precisely the thing. The Flyers are willing to commit $18 million AAV on a 21-year-old that hasn’t won anything. The most he’s accomplished is making it to the second round of the playoffs once in his career.
Beyond being the second-overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, Carlsson hasn’t won anything. No trophies, no Stanley Cup, nada. He scored 29 goals and 67 points in 70 games last season.
And that’s worth $18 million per season?
So, how much would Makar be worth? He’s 27, has a Stanley Cup, Calder, Conn Smythe, and two Norris Trophies. He’s finished in the top three in Norris voting three years in a row. Oh, and he also had more points than Carlsson last season.
The numbers would be comparable if Makar were a forward. But he’s a defenseman, and that’s arguably more valuable.
If that argument holds up, can Makar go back and ask the Avalanche for $18 million AAV? After all, his agent can point towards Carlsson and the Flyers and make a point of how much Makar is worth.
Heck, just about every established star in the league could make that argument. Nathan MacKinnon could turn around and say that he’s worth at least $18 million in his next contract.
To be clear, I’m sticking to my guns here. I don’t think Makar will stick it to the Avalanche and demand Carlsson-type money. Makar is much smarter than that. He knows that forcing Colorado to pay him that much would derail the team’s salary cap structure.
That’s why both sides will find a way to work something that favors all sides.
In the meantime, Avalanche fans might be just a tad worried that this offer sheet mania could somehow adversely influence Makar’s extension.
Add us as a preferred source on Google