Jakob Silfverberg Re-Signed for One Year $850,500

At first glance Jakob Silfverberg's new contract seems like nothing special.  Just another Restricted Free Agent signing a one year contract, giving himself an opportunity to prove that he's worth a bigger pay day next summer where he'll still be an RFA.  Naturally, since he didn't spend any time in the AHL last year he was upgraded to a one way contract that will pay him an annual salary of $850,500.

But wait a second.... that's a (very slight) pay cut of $49,500.  What's the deal with that?

Of course, in the grand scheme of NHL Salaries, 50K is a drop in the bucket, but it's still curious.  The only reasonable explanation I can come up with is that the team wanted to get him on a longer term extension, but he (and his agent) preferred to wait one year, hoping to put up some serious numbers, possibly alongside Ryan Kesler, before committing.  And this was the extremely minor compromise that they came to.

I don't think anyone expects this to be a PK Subban 2.0 situation for the Ducks, but it could cost them a little bit extra down the road if Silfverberg has the breakout season we're all hoping for.  At this point though, it's just another inexpensive year of an up and coming player.  So, good news for everyone.