It's probably too early to ask this question, but today's article on the CBJ roster construction got me to thinking. I would love folks' input on how much everyone thinks it will cost to lock up some of our key players next summer.

There are other important players of course that will also need contracts (like Boone, Jet or Sillinger), but IMO the core young players to build around for the future are Fantilli, Voronkov, Marchenko and Mateychuk. Fantilli must be signed to his first non-entry level contract and the other three have contracts that expire in the summer of '27, so GM DW can start negotiating with them July 1.

Part of the variables that will determine the cost will be other contract terms, such as length; but setting those issues aside for the moment, do you believe the CBJ will be able to sign our "Core Four" to their next contracts for under or over $30 million AAV? Answering that question will be important to determine free agents we might be able to consider for next season. (I'm thinking a scoring winger for the top six and a right handed, defense first D-man.)

I wish each and every one of you a very healthy 2026 filled with laughter and good days that FAR outnumber the bad.