A fan favorite in Boston, and one of the most intimidating players in the NHL, Milan Lucic agreed to a three-year contract extension with the Bruins on Tuesday evening, a deal that will reportedly pay him $12.25 million over the next three seasons for a cap hit of just over $4 million per season. There's no question that Lucic is an important piece for the Bruins, and he's a very unique player: a power forward, a devastating hitter, a willing fighter, and, at the age of 21, a player that still has room to get better.
Still, four million seems a bit steep at this point, doesn't it? Are the Bruins overpaying Lucic for the short-term?
Just for comparisons sake, and keeping it in Boston, the Bruins re-signed restricted free agent David Krejci to a three-year deal this past offseason, paying him $3.75 million over the next three seasons (or less than what they'll be paying Lucic). At this point in their young careers, Krejci has been the more productive player offensively.
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Lucic, of course, is a different player and brings far more to the table than just goals and assists. He's a dominating physical presence (a guy that sends people through glass) and a young player that's drawn comparisons to former Bruins great -- and Hall of Famer -- Cam Neely. That's certainly high praise.
The folks at Hub Hockey feel those factors make Lucic worth his weight in gold.
Since coming to the B's he has been one of the biggest, if not largest, pieces of the puzzle in bringing the team back into the spotlight in a town that demands nothing but success these days. And that alone is worth its weight in gold. But the kid backs it up too and so far has shown no signs of slowing down. The hype on him has been high since day one and it hasn't seemed to phase him at all. Just the fact that a legend like Cam Neely can see himself in Lucic would crumble any other player of that age. But Lucic has pushed forward making a name for himself while carving his own path towards becoming THE elite power forward in the league. So if you ask me if Lucic is worth it? I would say yes. There will always be goal scorers and playmakers out there but finding a diamond in the rough such as Looch is huge. There are not many players that can change the momentum of a game in as many different ways as Lucic can.Fair points. I guess the question I have is this: is it overpayment in the salary cap era to give $4 million to a player like Lucic when your team is already banging its cranium against the ceiling of the salary cap?
What do you think, hockey fans? Are the Bruins getting Lucic at a fair price, or are they overpaying? And if so, is it OK to pay a guy like Lucic a little more than his "market value" to make sure he's playing for you, as opposed to playing against you?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-07-2009 @ 12:22AM
cregco said...
Lucic is worth more than 4 million a year he is young and powerful a true Hockey Player by all means , he is a Blue Print of the Perfect Hockey Player.I feel he will be a Real Threat in the Years to come in the Scoring Dept. , he will Mature into a Scorer , but what he has in his Heart is far more valuable than a few goals he has Grit , Determination and a Fire in him you don't see these days, watch out in 3 years he will double that salary and if the B's don't pay Someone Will.
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10-07-2009 @ 12:25AM
cregco said...
He is only 21 not even close to his prime, watch the Fu*k out NHL Opponents!!
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10-07-2009 @ 12:57AM
Bobbo said...
Milan is the most exciting skater the B's have had since Cam Neely and he'll definately fill the seats.
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10-07-2009 @ 7:10AM
hockeyinsight_com said...
Lucic barely got a point every OTHER game, last season, and seems to be on pace for the same. He never was a point-a-game type player, even in Junior.
I don't care how many people go through glass, you haven't earned $3.5+ unless you can put up much better offensive numbers.
Lucic is no doubt a future cornerstone of this franchise. Given their tight cap space, Lucic took advanatage of them - he hasn't yet earned $4M.
He's only 21. You don't pay people on potential. You pay them based on the work they've done for you.
Especially when you just fished paying Krejci quite a bit less, who has done more for you. Krejci is a proven point-a-game type player, and had 73 points last season.
Chiarelli blew a tire here.
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10-07-2009 @ 7:36AM
Kelly K said...
It appears you dont understand the game and the worth of a player can't be based on stats alone. You have to look at the intangibles which he brings to the table. Great signing any team would have given him that deal to lock him in
10-07-2009 @ 9:21PM
mark said...
Lucic barely got a point every OTHER game, last season, and seems to be on pace for the same. He never was a point-a-game type player, even in Junior.
I don't care how many people go through glass, you haven't earned $3.5+ unless you can put up much better offensive numbers.
"Lucic is no doubt a future cornerstone of this franchise. Given their tight cap space, Lucic took advanatage of them - he hasn't yet earned $4M.
He's only 21. You don't pay people on potential. You pay them based on the work they've done for you."
And the NFL doesnt pay millions of dollars........alot of it GUARANTEED to college kids whom havent playd a game,......of course u pay for potential.......ur boss did when he hired u as well,,,,,,,AMEN they signed him for 3 more years.........
10-07-2009 @ 12:05PM
DP said...
Great move by Bruins, this guy has only just begun his NHL hockey career--I've no doubt he'll improve with time and now the Bruins have him in a lock.
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10-07-2009 @ 12:42PM
claytor said...
This is almost a bargain, all points considered. Milan is like Cam Neely without the 50 goal ability...yet.
At 21 theyll have four years to evaluate his talents full score, and at 25, if hes blossomed like most assume he will into something far greater than the flashes he displays now, hell continue to be a bargain.
Im glad they kept Happy Gilmore.
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10-20-2009 @ 3:33PM
forrestfreedman said...
Finally, a good value for the money. While past performance is no indication of present or future value,, unlike the stock market, all indicators show that an investment in Lucic is going to pay dividends so long as he stays injury free. His career is on the upside, and he's a fan favorite,( an offensive threatwho can fight, or a goon who can score) no matter what, this appears to be a WIn Win Situation...a lot better than a 401 K I might add!
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