If I was Makar, I'd take a 2 year deal with 9+ as the second year and wait to see what the economy looks like. He could end up making a lot more.

Wouldn't matter whether you paid him in year 1 or 2, since the new rule for arb contracts only takes into account AAV now. But yeah, a McAvoy-type extension (2 years instead of 3) would likely make sense.

I don’t disagree from the player’s point of view, but having MacKinnon and Makar expiring in the same year could put them in a tough position. I don’t think they risk losing either player but that’s a ton of money being added in one season.

Sakic is going to push for term, just as he did with Rantanen.

There is no planet where an RFA gets 2yr $9M aav contract, especially one that doesn’t even have arbitration rights. What’s he going to do sign an offer sheet?

QO still goes off the last year no?

Am i crazy for thinking id rather dump Nuke and Donskoi to keep Saad?

It's the last year that sets the QO. The second year being high lowers the average but sets up a high starting point. Like Meier in Sj

Naw, from what I read, they got rid of that in the new CBA unfortunately. Would have been helpful with a lot of bridge deals.

That's fair, and something I didn't even consider.

There is still ZERO reason to do it. Makar is the 2nd most important Av, you pay him and then work out others and cap details. You get him locked up as long term as possible as early as possible because no matter how tough the current environment is you make it work because in 4 years it’s going to be a good deal even if you over paid.

That will definitely make long term deals make more sense if you want big money.

From his point of view though he'll be leaving money on the table if he goes long term while the economy is down