Tommy Novak just locked in his future in Pittsburgh, and the number he got could look like a bargain fast.
Novak signed a three year extension worth $4,650,000 annually with the Penguins, a deal that kicks in next season.
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At 29, he just wrapped up his first full season in Pittsburgh, posting 16 goals and 26 assists for 42 points across all 82 games.
That's a real breakout year for a bottom six caliber player, and the price tag reflects a team betting he keeps producing at this level.
Compare that number to what other bottom six forwards have landed this same offseason, and Pittsburgh's deal already looks like smart business.
Names like AJ Greer have cashed in around similar money without matching Novak's actual production, a sign the market for depth scoring has shifted fast.
Novak's current cap hit sits at $3,500,000 this season before the new extension takes effect, meaning Pittsburgh only sees a modest bump for a player coming off his best year.
Why term matters as much as the number here
Three years is a real commitment, but it's short enough that Pittsburgh isn't locked into an aging depth piece deep into his mid-30s.
That balance, a fair AAV and a manageable term, is exactly what makes this kind of contract age well instead of turning into dead weight later.
Pittsburgh finished 41-25-16 for 98 points last season, 10th overall, a roster that clearly benefited from Novak settling into a real role up front.
Locking up a player like this now, before a bigger free agent market resets the price for depth scoring even higher, is exactly the kind of move front offices get rewarded for later.
Would Novak have commanded more on the open market next summer if he repeats a season like this one? Probably, and that's exactly why Pittsburgh moved now instead of waiting.
None of this guarantees Novak repeats 42 points again. Bottom six breakouts don't always hold, and one strong season isn't a guaranteed trend yet.
But if he's even close to this level over the life of the deal, Pittsburgh got itself a legitimate value contract in a market that keeps getting more expensive by the week.
Is Tommy Novak's new extension already a bargain for the Penguins?
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