November 18, 2008 1:47 PM
How Stastny deal stacks up
When the Avalanche signed center Paul Stastny to a five-year, $33 million contract extension that kicks in next season, the team was following an NHL trend where clubs are locking up their young stars to lucrative, long-term deals.
Stastny will be paid $6.6 million per season, the number that will count against the salary cap.
The Kings' Anze Kopitar recently was signed to a seven-year, $47.6 million contract with an average salary of $6.8 million, which counts against Los Angeles' cap.
The Capitals essentially signed Alex Ovechkin to a lifetime deal, a 13-year, $124 million contract with an average salary of $9.54 million.
The Penguins' Sidney Crosby signed a five-year, $43.5 million contract that averages to $8.7 million per season.
When the Avalanche extended Stastny's contract, it eliminated the chance of his being signed as a restricted free agent next summer. The Ducks lost forward Dustin Penner to the Oilers as a restricted free agent two summers ago.
Edmonton tendered a five-year, $21.5 million offer sheet ($4.3 million average) that Penner signed. Anaheim could have matched the offer and kept Penner, but declined and accepted draft picks as compensation. Then-Ducks general manager Brian Burke was highly critical of the Oilers at the time and since losing Penner hasn't had much desire to speak to Oilers executive Kevin Lowe.
Interestingly, Penner hasn't played very well this season and is being benched by Oilers coach Craig MacTavish.
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