Igor Shesterkin
We will lead off with Shesterkin because he is the most likely to achieve most if not all of his targets.
Here are the Category A performance bonus targets for a goalie ($212,500 each):
- 1,800 minutes minimum (30 games)
- Goals against average (GAA): A lower GAA than the median average of all goalies who play 25 of more regular season games.
- Save Percentage (Sv%): A lower Sv% than the median average of all goalies who play 25 of more regular season games.
- 20 wins
- Shutouts: More shutouts than the median average of all goalies who play 25 of more regular season games.
- End-of-Season NHL All-Rookie Team
- NHL All-Star Game (selected to play or plays)
- NHL All-Star Game MVP
Here are the Category B performance bonus targets for a goalie ($2 million each):
- Top 5 in balloting for Hart, Jennings or Vezina Trophies
- Top 3 in balloting for Lady Byng
- Jennings Trophy winner
- Top 3 in balloting for Calder Trophy
- 1st or 2nd Team All-Star
- Conn Smythe Trophy winner
- Top 5 in GAA
- Top 5 in Sv%
- Top 5 in wins
If Shesterkin plays the way he is expected, based on his 12 game debut last season, he should easily achieve many of his Category A targets and could have a shot at the Vezina or Calder Trophies in Category B along with the statistical targets.
The performance bonus exposure for Shesterkin is definitely $850k, but he has to be a Calder Trophy candidate or finish as one of the top five goalies in the league to get the additional $2 million. Looking at Shesterkin, he will make either $850k or the full $2.85 million.
Alexis Lafrenière
Lafrenière is a total intangible. If he is as good as he is supposed to be, even if he begins the season on the third line, how likely is he to hits these bonus targets?
Category A targets ($212,500 each)
- Top six forward on the team in average ice time
- 20 goals
- 35 assists
- 60 points
- .73 points per game average
- Top three forward in plus/minus
- NHL All-Rookie team selection
- NHL All-Star Game selection
Here are the category B targets for a forward ($2 million each):
- Top 5 in balloting for Hart, Richard, Smythe or Selke Trophies
- Top 3 in balloting for Lady Byng
- Top 3 in balloting for Calder Trophy
- 1st or 2nd Team All-Star
- Conn Smythe Trophy winner
- Top 10 in goals
- Top 10 in assists
- Top 10 in points
- Top 10 in points per game average
It’s impossible to project where Lafrenière will end up. Most predictions have him ending up with over 20 goals and about 60 points. If he does, he will end up making most if not all of his bonus money.
Kaapo Kakko
While Kakko had a disappointing rookie season, he still has the potential to make a boatload of cash in performance bonuses. He will have to improve immensely in practically every category and a key factor will be where he plays in the lineup. If Kakko ends up as a top six forward, replacing Jesper Fast on the line with Strome and Panarin, he could have a much better year. The simple fact is that he will improve in his second year, but will it be enough to get him a big bonus payout?