"This week, the NHL community saw two young and promising defensemen get paid akin to the NHL elite. But a common issue in this development will be determining if these players are really worth the 9-million-dollar AAV that they have been bestowed by their teams' general managers. While only time will tell if their contracts will age like milk or wine, let's set the stage and examine the current stories of these young men."
"Makar, in his first stint in the NHL, put up 12 goals and 38 assists for 50 points in only 57 games compared to Lacombe, who only potted 2 goals and 15 assists in 71 games. Now, the most common rebuttal that can be used in Lacombe's defense is that Makar currently plays on a team with Nathan Mackinnon and is partnered up with fellow star Devon Toews."
Jackson Lacombe signed an eight-year deal with the Anaheim Ducks worth $9 million AAV on October 2, 2025. The contract followed the Ducks extending Mason McTavish to a six-year, $7 million AAV deal and ended a three-month stalemate. Lacombe has 16 goals and 44 assists for 60 points in 146 NHL games across two seasons. Those numbers stand in contrast to Cale Makar’s early NHL totals of 12 goals and 38 assists for 50 points in 57 games, while Lacombe produced 2 goals and 15 assists in 71 games in his first season. Team context and teammate support are cited as common rebuttals to direct comparisons.
Read at Puck Prose
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