We’ve been trying to keep up with the reports on Zack Kassian and his potential extension with the Edmonton Oilers as best we can. There were rumors he was finding common ground on a new deal that might be announced before the NHL Trade Deadline on Feb 24. Mark Spector of Sportsnet has potentially broken more news that Kassian’s deal might be a four-year pact worth between $3.25 and $3.5 million per season.
If accurate, this is likely to be considered a fair deal by both sides. It provides a ton of security for Kassian with a four-year commitment and for the Oilers, they are able to lock up a top-six forward at under $4 million per season, a very affordable number as the salary cap increases over time.
Of course, there will be a handful of naysayers, calling this deal too rich for a forward who is having a career year and may never repeat it. Said naysayers may even add that with Kassian out of the lineup on a two-game suspension, a player like Josh Archibald has stepped right in and picked up where Kassian left off. They’ll also argue someone like Archibald could continue to do so at a much less expensive rate.
A Fair Deal Regardless Of Kassian Repeating Himself
Maybe Kassian has this type of season again and maybe he doesn’t. But, at $3.5 million or less per season, it’s fair to say this isn’t so rich a contract that even if he only ever pots 10 goals and 20 assists per season as a third-liner, he’s not a dramatic over-payment and he offers a ton of other intangibles. Oilers and Flames fans know all too well about that these days.
If this deal comes to be, it’s a clear indication both sides wanted to get something longer-term done.
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