Minnesota Wild fans are cautiously optimistic as Matt Boldy signs a seven-year, $49 million contract that secures his presence on the team through the 2029-30 season. This deal represents a strategic move by the Wild to build around a promising young star at a cost-effective price, addressing the depth and power-play issues that hindered their recent playoff run against the Golden Vegas Knights.

Analyst Dom Luszczyszyn of The Athletic noted Boldy’s contract as the ninth-best value in the NHL, awarding it a 97% positive value probability. He highlighted Boldy’s potential trajectory by comparing him to established stars, stating,

To understand Matt Boldy’s value, it might be best to list some of his best comparables at the same age: Mark Stone, Sam Reinhart, Mikko Rantanen, Matthew Tkachuk,

—Dom Luszczyszyn, Hockey Analyst. He added,

Superstars — and Boldy looks like he could end up on the same track.

—Dom Luszczyszyn, Hockey Analyst.

While Boldy’s current scoring pace of around 75 points per season is impressive, matching the level of players like Stone or Tkachuk would require further development. Luszczyszyn emphasized Boldy’s all-around game as a key factor in his value, explaining,

He’s already several leagues above that and only getting better. If he can turn into an 85-95 point player, this deal will be an even larger steal than it already is.

—Dom Luszczyszyn, Hockey Analyst.

Comparing Boldy’s Deal with Matthew Tkachuk’s Contract and NHL Trends

Matthew Tkachuk’s contract with the Florida Panthers, an eight-year agreement worth $76 million, sets a benchmark for star winger salaries in today’s NHL. This deal includes a substantial $68 million signing bonus and averages $9.5 million annually, reflecting the premium star players command. Minnesota’s Boldy contract aims to emulate Tkachuk’s value without reaching a similar salary, giving the Wild a hopeful edge in managing their salary cap.

The Wild, coming off a disappointing first-round playoff defeat, now place their hopes on Boldy’s progression and the contributions of young teammates like Aron Kiviharju and Zeev Buium. As the 2024-25 season approaches, Boldy’s performance will be a critical factor in Minnesota’s pursuit of a deeper postseason run.

Boldy’s long-term deal not only exemplifies smart front-office planning but also signals the team’s commitment to developing their core group. Success with this contract could set a model for future negotiations within the league, balancing star power with fiscal responsibility.