I’m not usually one to deal in speculation, but the Calgary Flames signed sophomore goaltender Dustin Wolf to a massive 7-year contract with a $7.5 million cap hit today…
WOLF OF CALGARY 🐺
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) September 9, 2025
Dustin Wolf has signed a seven-year extension with an AAV of $7.5 million! pic.twitter.com/hHpuih83Ab
And, after Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson posted 7 goals and 24 assists for 31 points in 78 games during his first full NHL season in 2024-2025, the Wolf contract and Frank Nazar’s similarly-structured 7-year, $6.59 million cap hit deal with the Blackhawks got me thinking.
Given that Edvinsson is 22, and given that the salary cap is going to skyrocket over the course of the next couple of summers, should the Red Wings lock up their 6’5,” 209-pound defenseman before he becomes a restricted free agent next summer? And, if so, how much is reasonable for a player who appears to be a 30-50-point producer?
I’d guess that Edvinsson could earn somewhere in the neighborhood of $7.5 million. How much do you think the Red Wings might pay Edvinsson to buy some of his future earning years?
I think that sounds about right and may prove to be a bargain, especially as he did all that with little to no time on the PP. Waiting around to make sure he is what he looks like could prove very costly, on the other hand.
That’s my thought, get him locked in while you can.