The offseason has had some shockingly overpriced contracts but some pleasant surprises as well. It is worthwhile mentioning that there are some honorable mentions, such as newly extended Jake Allen of the New Jersey Devils. The 31-year-old netminder was extended to a 5-year deal with a $1.8 million AAV; the deal was likely purposed to decrease the impact of the AAV on the Devil's cap hit. Nevertheless, while Jake Allen's contract is exceptional to New Jersey's plans to keep him in a backup goalie role, here are the top three contracts of the NHL offseason so far.
1. Brock Boeser
At the conclusion of the 2024-2025 NHL season, it was reported and monitored that Boeser was likely departing the Vancouver Canucks due to the stagnation in contract negotiations and potentially leaving for an emerging team. Boeser was signed to a 7-year deal on July 1st with a $7.25 million AAV. The scoring winger was projected to receive a 6-year deal on the market, commanding $8.5 million AAV by a developing team with cap space, according to AFP analytics. As a result, it can be reasoned that Boeser's new contract, returning him to Vancouver, is a bargain to say the least.
The goal scorer has 204 goals in 554 career games, which can be simplified to 30 goals per 82-game pace. A winger that is listed as averaging 30 goals per season is a serious commodity in the NHL. The 28-year-old put up 25 goals, 25 assists, for 50 points in 75 games played this season. In addition, Boeser had his best season in 2023-2024, where he notched a 40-goal season with 33 assists to complete a 73-point season in 81 games.
The Canucks, who will be competing for a playoff berth against emerging teams like Seattle and Calgary, will need every ounce of firepower they can get their hands on. But Brock Boeser's new contract, who will resume his duties on the top line alongside Elias Pettersson and Jake DeBrusk, is a win for now.
2. Aaron Ekblad
The reigning Stanley Cup champions, led by General Manager Bill Zito, had a masterpiece of an offseason (so far) to follow up his team's dominant performance in the finals against the Edmonton Oilers. The Panthers, who were rumored to lose one of Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand, or Aaron Ekblad, defied many analysts and insiders by managing to extend them all. This remarkable offseason could have the Panthers reigning over the Eastern Conference, maybe even the league as a whole, for the next few years. While Florida expands their contention window, a key piece to that puzzle was the former first-overall pick in 2014, Aaron Ekblad.
The right-sided defenseman is a dominant and dependable two-way defenseman that excels at both ends of the ice. Ekblad's best statistical year was in 2021-22 when he scored 15 goals, 42 assists, for 57 points in 61 games as well as a +38 +/- rating. This year, while he only posted 3 goals and 30 assists for 33 points in 56 games, Ekblad is valued for his consistency that makes him a staple on Florida's blueline and for their aspirations to ascend to a dynasty.
Ekblad was extended on June 30th to an 8-year extension with a $6.1 million AAV. Ekblad could've entered free agency with a market value of $7.5 million AAV, indicating that the extension has a surplus of $1.4 million, with teams possibly being willing to throw more money on the table due to the status of him being a top right-handed defenseman, a commodity in the NHL, as well as his veteran status as a two-time Stanley Cup champion. The new contract is being lauded as a bargain and the epitome of a team-friendly deal due to Ekblad refusing to hit the open market and receiving a lucrative contract elsewhere.
3. Mitch Marner
There were many rumors circulating about Marner's next contract, with reports of him possibly asking beyond the $13 million mark. But the Vegas Golden Knights are an attractive market and a team that is continuing to extend their competitive window after winning their first Stanley Cup in 2023. Mitch Marner is a playmaking, creative, and intelligent player that provides a sparkle to a team's top line.
The former Maple Leaf was traded to and then extended by the Golden Knights to an 8-year deal with a $12 million AAV. The Knights should be given props for this extension, considering the rumors of Marner potentially demanding an extravagant amount, as Marner has a market value of $12.4 million, which indicates the Knights signed him with a surplus of $400,000.
While the Toronto Maple Leafs received a middle-six center in Nick Roy, 1-for-1, who will sail onto their third-line center role, the Vegas Golden Knights will receive a lucrative playmaker to play alongside Jack Eichel and Pavel Dorofeyev. Marner posted a career high in points with 102, consisting of 27 goals and 75 assists in 81 games. While not primarily a goal scorer, Marner once potted 35 goals in 2021-2022. The Vegas Golden Knights have acquired a shining star to complete their offense and to pull away from their competitors to secure the Western Conference and to potentially give the two-time reigning champions a fight to remember.