Pending RFA Matvei Michkov In Line For Huge Extension

With 10 goals already this season, third-year Philadelphia Flyer Matvei Michkov is on pace for 49 goals. If this keeps up, suggests Daily Faceoff's Anthony Di Marco, the dynamic Russian forward could be on pace for an extension worth upwards of $80 million.

Di Marco's sources tell him that the deal Cutter Gauthier signed with the Anaheim Ducks this offseason would be the comp Michkov's camp would use:

Sources told DFO that it is too early to really hone in on a number on a six-year contract, for example, and that the team would need to see a larger sample of Michkov’s play deeper into the season to make a commitment of that length.  In the event that Michkov continues his 49-goal pace, Anaheim Ducks forward Cutter Gauthier’s six-year, $81-million contract would likely be a direct comparable, per sources.

That's a $13.5 million AAV. 

If the Flyers try to go with a bridge deal, say, three years, "sources told DFO that an AAV in the range of (teammate) Travis Konecny’s $8.75 million would be in the ballpark at this point."

Michkov, 22 next month, is currently wrapping up his three-year entry-level deal, with a $950,000 cap hit. He will be a restricted free agent, but without arbitration, as of July 1st, if not re-signed by then. He will, however, be eligible for an offer sheet. 

No discussions on Michkov extension yet, but on his 49-goal pace, the numbers could be eye-popping

Although there have been no discussions to this point, says Di Marco, it would appear that the longer the Flyers wait, the more the price tag will go up, if Michkov continues at this pace. A pace, by the way, that goes back to the final month of last season:

He now has 23 points on 14 goals and nine assists in his last 23 regular-season games.

As it is, Michkov could become the first Flyer to crack the 40-goal mark since 2008-09 when Jeff Carter did it.

And it's quite conceivable that if he gets to the 50-goal mark, he could command at least $15 million per season.