When it comes to contract extensions, agents will typically use similar players to justify salaries. With that said, however, the NHL's salary cap has exploded to a point where Leo Carlsson of the Anaheim Ducks just became the highest paid player in the NHL. For the Detroit Red Wings, this is quite fortuitous, as Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond combine for two of the best contracts in the NHL.
But, with that said, there's still a bit of unfinished business on the contract front: an extension for defenseman Simon Edvinsson.
With no general manager in sight (and a certain elephant in the room still unaddressed), the Red Wings are in a bit of a holding period with Edvinsson. While the lack of a general manager is the most obvious holdup, another comes in the form of a contemporary defenseman: Alexander Nikishin of the Carolina Hurricanes.
Why Nikishin and Edvinsson may get similar offers
In 102 games with the Carolina Hurricanes, Nikishin showed why he's worthy of a massive contract extension. The steady defender finished seventh in Calder Trophy voting last season and quickly established himself as one of the more consistent defensemen on the Hurricanes. He holds a record for the most points by a rookie defenseman in Hurricanes history, putting up 33 points along the way.
On the other side of the aisle sits Simon Edvinsson, who came into his own last year, putting up 25 points in 72 games. He and Moritz Seider were frequently among the best pairings in the NHL, capable of shutting down star players and depth pieces alike.
Both defensemen are young, high-potential players in need of extensions. Both have over 100 games under their belts. Best of all, both teams have the capability to extend their up-and-coming defensemen -- though one is more hesitant than the other.
What Simon Edvinsson's contract could look like
Hurricanes general manager is reportedly hesitant to extend Nikishin at his asking price of around $8M per season. If the team can sign Nikishin for around $8M (or less), the next Red Wings general manager will likely use that as a jumping off point. Their similar skillsets and deployment suggest matching (if not near-matching) deals.
The best part about Nikishin's deal is that, the lower Tulsky can get it, the cheaper Edvinsson will come. If the next general manager can work out the details and get Edvinsson to sign a deal similar to Nikishin's, it could be a win-win for all parties involved.
For Edvinsson, he secures a long-term deal worth his weight in cash. The Red Wings, on the other hand, lock down Moritz Seider's partner on a cost-controlled deal for years to come.
As stressful as it might seem, the whole process is a waiting game. We'll see how it all plays out soon.
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