The Montreal Canadiens didn't think it was too early to make a long-term commitment with Juraj Slafkovsky.
The Canadiens announced an 8-year, $60.8 million contract extension for the 20-year-old winger on the first day he was eligible to sign an extension.
The deal, which starts with the 2025-26 season, carries an average annual value of $7.6 million and would make him the third highest-paid forward on the Canadiens in 2025-26.
The Slovakian winger was the first overall pick in the 2022 NHL draft.
He had 20 goals and 30 assists in 82 games last season, skating to a minus-19 with the last-place Canadiens. In 121 career games, Slafkovský has 24 goals and 36 assists.