Adam Fox is going to get paid. And no matter what he makes, it will be worth every single cent.
The challenge at this point is how can Chris Drury get Fox to sign without forcing them to have to eventually trade too many other contracts out in the future?
Drury will have to directly go to Fox and pull on his heartstrings. He needs to remind Fox of his boyhood love for the Rangers to get some sort of a discount.
Adam Fox comparable are all big contracts
Today, the Boston Bruins signed defenseman Charlie McAvoy to an eight-year, $76 million extension.
The deal, reportedly the largest in franchise history, includes an average annual value of $9.5 million and $26.5 million in signing bonuses. It keeps the former first-round pick in Boston through the 2029-30 season.
McAvoy has 122 points (24 goals, 98 assists) and a plus-80 plus/minus with 177 penalty minutes in 235 games since the Bruins selected him with the 14th overall pick in 2016. That’s good for .51 points per game.
Two other comparable that can be used are Miro Heiskanen of the Dallas Stars and Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche.
Heiskanen signed an 8 year-deal worth $8.45M AAV. His points per game average is just .47. Meanwhile, Makar signed a middle of the road deal in term for 8 years. The Avs defender’s AAV is $9M with a .92 points per game average.
In case you are wondering, Adam Fox has 91 points in 127 NHL games for a .71 points per game average. Did I mention he’s the reigning Norris Trophy winner? Yeah, he should be making over $10 million based on McAvoy’s deal.
Fox finished second overall in scoring for blue-liners with 47 points last season. His 42 assists were the most by an NHL defenseman and he was seventh for total ice time.
All three will be used as comps in coming up with a contract that will likely now be no less than 8 years for $10 million. Unless Drury can reach deep into Adam’s heart and try to get it closer to $9 million.
Fox’s agent not known for discounts
Adam Fox is represented by Matt Keator who also represented Chris Kreider in his last contract negotiations with the Rangers.
Back in June, when I asked if Fox would sign an extension in the summer Keator’s response was “no rush.” That was before Cale Makar inked his 6 year deal worth $9M a season and now McAvoy’s monster $9.5M.
This week, I spoke with a source familiar with the situation, and I asked if there was any possibility that there could be a discount.
“His agent isn’t known for discounts,” the source responded. “Why would he, since he just won the Norris and seeing what everyone else is making.” The follow up question was what will Fox’s next deal come in at? “At least nine,” was the answer.
So is there a chance for Fox to take a little less? The answer is anything is possible. Drury did get Zibanejad to take about $1.5M less than if he went to market. Mika himself said it was in order to help the team in the future.
Fox is living his boyhood dream of playing for the team he rooted for growing up. He used the system to get himself traded to the Rangers, so why couldn’t he take a more amicable deal to stay on Broadway longterm, but to also win.
Time for Drury to go to work and get Fox to take $9 million or less in order to keep this young promising team together.
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