Minnesota Wild's Contract Efficiency Earns High Grades: What Are the 5 Best Deals?

The Minnesota Wild continue to build for the future and the 2025-26 season where the organization will be free from the bulk of the Zach Parise-Ryan Suter buyouts (dead cap decreases to about $1.66 million according to PuckPedia) and will have more prospects arrive. One early sign of success of the organization's vision is their short-and long-term contract management.

The Athletic's Dom Luszczyszyn recently released his contract efficiency rankings looking at which teams have spent their future dollars most carefully and shrewdly. The Wild ranked No. 6 behind five teams who made the postseason last year: the New Jersey Devils, Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche, Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers. 

The Wild have done well locking up their best players on cost-efficient contracts and re-signing complimentary depth pieces on inexpensive deals. This piece will examine the Wild's five best contracts based on future value, according to Luszczyszyn's model.

Note: The rankings are based on future value, so past production doesn't have an impact. Although there is a strong case to be made that the Wild's ranking would remain the same even if past production is considered. "Model value" is what Luszczyszyn's model expects a player should be making, and the surplus is the difference between his model's value and what a player's actual AAV is.

Contract remaining: Seven years x $7 million annually | Model value: $11.4 million annually, $31.1 million surplus

The Wild re-signed Boldy to a seven-year extension mid-season in January that will kick in next season, and they almost certainly saved money by doing so. In fact, there's a $31.1 million surplus according to Luszczyszyn's model, which has Boldy's value pegged at $11.4 million compared to his new deal that will pay him $7 million annually.

Boldy scored 15 goals and 23 points in the final 20 games of the regular season in March and April, where he reached a new level of play. He finished with 31 goals and and 63 points in all last year after recording 39 points in 47 games during his rookie season. His 4.3 wins above replacement over the past two seasons is the 49th highest in the league among forwards. 

The 22-year-old budding star received a fifth-place Selke vote for his defensive play this season. Speaking of that, Boldy wasn't only the Wild's best defensive forward last season, but Evolving-Hockey's defensive goals above replacement rated him as the league's 10th best defensive forward. His already highly-effective defensive game, coupled with his offensive potential, makes him one of the Wild's biggest storylines next season as he enters the first year of his new contract.

Contract remaining: Six years x $5.3 million annually | Model value: $8.7 million, $20.5 million surplus

Eriksson Ek's reputation in the league as a defensive stalwart with an agitating, physical forechecking presence is well-warranted. But he's proven he can be even more that with a 26-goal 2021-22 campaign and a career-high 61 points (23 goals) last season. He plays in all situations and is one of the Wild's best without the puck on his stick. And because of that, he's established himself as one of the league's best two-way centers. The evidence of that is three straight top-10 finishes in Selke voting.

This is another example of the Wild locking down one of their best players early that saves money over the long term. Eriksson Ek is an integral piece to the Wild's system, and that was once again evident in the playoffs with his absence due to injury. 

With six more years at just $5.3 million, the 26-year-old's contract has become a steal with his value at $8.7 million a year, according to Luszczyszyn's model. If Eriksson needed a new contract this summer, it's difficult to believe $5.3 would get it done after what he's produced offensively the past two seasons. One wonders if he can reach the 30-goal plateau next season.

Contract remaining: Three years x $9 million annually | Model value: $13.2 million, $12.6 million surplus

In a unique circumstance, Kaprizov signed a five-year deal worth $9 million annually after his rookie season where he played only 55 games. While some thought that seemed like a lot of money for such a small sample size, it has not only become a solid deal for the Wild — but a bargain with his value worth $13.2 million a year, according to Luszczyszyn's model. That's a surplus of $12.6 million over the next three seasons.

Kaprizov followed up his 51-point rookie season with 47 goals and 108 points in 2021-22 and 40 goals and 75 points in 2022-23, where he was limited to 67 games. Kaprizov's six wins above replacement in the last two years ranks 18th among NHL forwards. 

The 26-year-old appears to be just scratching the surface of his potential and has proven he can do just about anything. Like Boldy, what makes him even more of a dangerous player is his commitment to his own end. His 4.2 even-strength defensive GAR from 2020-23 is tied for 73rd, which is noteworthy for one of the league's best offensively.

Contract remaining: One year x $1.7 million annually | Model value: $5.4 million, $3.7 million surplus

Hartman didn't have ideal production last season with 37 points after setting career highs in goals (34) and points (65) during the 2021-22 campaign. But that's still solid production for the 28-year-old who is making a mere $1.7 annually even though Luszczyszyn's model has him valued at almost triple that. Hartman is valuable in a number of ways as an agitator, special teams contributor and middle-six scorer. 

Even if he has another 30-point season, the deal will still be good value for what he brings to the table. Although it's probably safe to say his production will fall somewhere between that 65-point career season and last year's down year since he will be healthy and entering a contract year. 

Hartman's versatility is another reason why his contract is among the Wild's best: The 28-year-old has played everywhere in the lineup from top to bottom and has proved he can succeed as both a center and winger, providing the Wild more flexibility.

Contract remaining: One year x $6 million annually | Model value: $7 million, $1 million surplus

Zuccarello, the only existing player on the Wild's payroll with a contract not signed by Wild GM Bill Guerin, has been one of the league's most productive wingers over the past two seasons. His 146 points (79 in 2021-22 and 67 last season) during that span is tied for 42nd with Calgary's Elias Lindholm and the Devils' Jesper Bratt.

What's impressive about Zuccarello's production is that he's done it in his age-34 and 35 seasons. Zuccarello has shown little signs of wear and tear despite being less than a month away from his 36th birthday. 

While the deal had been criticized at the time, the 35-year-old veteran winger has exceeded expectations and is playing some of his best hockey to date. Zuccarello's playmaking ability has helped him form a dynamic duo with Kaprizov. It shouldn't be a surprise that he made the list because his production has not only warranted his contract, but become one of the Wild's best value deals.

The Wild are well-positioned for the future with one of the league's top prospect pipelines and an efficient payroll. That's a sneaky good combination and a recipe for success that should pay dividends quite soon — especially with the cap expected to rise significantly next summer. Most importantly, Boldy and Eriksson Ek are locked up long term in Minnesota on bargain deals.

What's also important is that the Wild don't have any poor contracts as of now that will hinder their future flexibility starting in 2025-26 when the buyouts lower to a total of about $1.66 million. And one of the bright spots from the buyouts is it's forced them to spend their money wisely.

All Data Via Evolving-Hockey, Natural Stat Trick and Hockey-Reference