NHL teams expect a lot out of the player who dons their "C." Captains are not
only expected to produce on the ice, but are also expected to help their
teammates achieve their potential, make sure the team is tight-knit off the
ice, mentor young players and teach them how to act professionally, be the face
 of the team and a good ambassador out in the community, among many other
things. Simply put, a captain is a team';s most important player.

The Winnipeg Jets'; Blake Wheeler, who recently signed a five-year extension
worth an average annual value (AAV) of $8.25 million, fulfills all the
aforementioned roles with aplomb. He is undoubtedly the team';s pilot.

#NHLJets announce the signing of captain Blake Wheeler to a five-year contract
extension worth $41.25 million, with an average annual value of $8.25 million. 

DETAILS ➡️ https://t.co/SSSrPHzKRP pic.twitter.com/OQrkM8ySj2

- Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) September 4, 2018

Last year, Wheeler posted a career-high 91 points, which included 23 goals and
68 assists, the latter mark which was tied for the most in the NHL. Whenever
an elite, franchise player such as Wheeler inks a new deal, you can count on
intense discussion - from hockey analysts, pundits, and fans on whether that
player is worth the salary they';ve been given - to follow.

Blake Wheeler isn't just the #NHLJets leader on ice. He is team's backbone. You
 can debate length (5 yrs) and price tag ($8.25 AAV). But can't argue about
message contract sends: This team is all in. Buckle up, sports fans.

- randy turner (@randyturner15) September 4, 2018

In the spirit of keeping that discussion going, let';s take a look at the
contracts and AAVs of Wheeler';s six Central Division counterparts to see how
the Minnesotan';s new deal stacks up with those leading his team';s most
familiar and fiercest competitors.Minnesota Wild - Mikko Koivu

Annual cap hit: $6 million in 2018-19, $5.5 million in the two years after that

Mikko Koivu, the Minnesota Wild';s franchise leader in games played, signed a
two-year contract extension last September that will kick in after the 2018-19
season.

The first-ever permanent Wild captain, the 2018-19 season will Koivu';s 10th
wearing the "C" and 14th season with the organization overall.One of the
longest-standing captains in the entire NHL, Mikko Koivu will make $6 million
this season and $5.5 million in each of the two seasons after that. (Amy Irvin
/ The Hockey Writers)

Koivu has spent his entire 925-game NHL career with the Wild, producing 193
goals and 466 assists in that time. While he doesn';t put up as many points as
Wheeler - his career high is 67 - there';s no denying the Finn';s been a great
contributor to his team. At 35-years-old, his best days offensively may be
behind him, but his intelligence, dedication, and instincts make him an ideal
captain and well-worth his $5.5 million AAV.

He';s just an extremely important player in all facets of the game for our
team," Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher said after re-upping Koivu last
year. "It';s very difficult to find players like him. They';re incredibly
valuable.Chicago Blackhawks - Jonathan Toews

Annual cap hit: $10.5 million

Winnipegger Jonathan Toews has spent his entire 11-year NHL career with the
Chicago Blackhawks after being selected third overall in the 2006 NHL Entry
Draft. He is the Central Division';s longest-serving captain, having worn the
"C" since 2008.

Toews was key to the Blackhawks'; dynastic run of the first half of the decade,
 which saw them hoist three Stanley Cup in six seasons. Toews consistently
posted 60-plus points per year in that stretch and excelled in the playoffs,
especially during 2009-10, where he went better than a point per game.Jonathan
Toews is the Central Division';s longest-standing captain. While he was key in
leading the Blackhawks to three Stanley Cups, his play has regressed in recent
years and his contract is increasingly being considered an albatross. (Kamil
Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports)

Toews cashed in big-time following the Blackhawks'; 2013-14 season, inking an
eye-popping eight-year deal worth 10.5 million annually that made him one of
the NHL';s highest-paid players.

However, the 30-year-old';s play has regressed in several ways over the past
few seasons. His 2017-18 point total of 52 was his lowest full-season mark
ever. His drop in production has made his massive contract problematic - and
when you look at the numbers of other players, such as Anze Kopitar and Jamie
Benn (more on him later), making comparable money - it';s clear why many
consider him overpaid.

"You can talk about all-around play, and defense, and leadership, and
intangibles, and anything else you want to throw in there about Toews' game...
but for that much money there has to be an expectation for the player to carry
the offense," Sporting News'; Adam Gretz wrote in February. "Toews has not
been that player, and even worse, he does not even seem to be quite the same
when it comes to his all-around play."

While Toews isn';t going anywhere, his best days may be in the past. Animosity
is starting to build between him and the fan base, many of whom view the bucks
he';s commanding as the main reason for the Blackhawks'; salary cap
issues.Colorado Avalanche - Gabriel Landeskog

Annual cap hit: $5.571 million

Skillful Swede Gabriel Landeskog didn';t have to wait very long to be awarded
the Colorado Avalanche';s captaincy. After his 2011-12 rookie season, the
darling of the organization was given the "C" before his 20th birthday, which
made him, at the time, the youngest captain in NHL history.When Gabriel
Landeskog was named the Avalanche';s captain in 2012 at just 19-years-old, he
was the youngest captain in NHL history. (Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)

Landeskog, who';s spent seven seasons in the Mile High City, is an intriguing
player. He has plenty of size, a great shot, and good leadership skills, but
as The Hockey News puts it, he "has a tendency to go into deep scoring
slumps and needs to become a more consistent contributor."

While he lacks Wheeler';s consistency and sometimes flips between spectacular
and subpar, the Avalanche are getting a decent return for the $5.5 million
they';ve been paying out annually since signing him to a seven-year contract in
 the immediate aftermath of the 2013-14 campaign. That year, the Avalanche
shocked the league by increasing their win total from an abysmal 16 to a
formidable 52. Landeskog was a big contributor to the turnaround, recording a
career-high 65 points.St. Louis Blues - Alex Pietrangelo

Annual cap hit: $6.5 million

Unlike Landeskog, Alex Pietrangelo logged a lot of games with his team before
taking on the captain';s role. The fourth overall pick of the 2008 NHL Entry
Draft played six full seasons before donning the "C" for the St. Louis
Blues.2018-19 will be Alex Pietrangelo';s third season as Blues captain. (Amy
Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Pietrangelo, at age 28, is an elite bluliner in the prime of his career. A true
 two-way defender, he is offensively gifted, excels on the power play, blocks
shots like a machine, and has great wheels for someone with a 6-foot-3, 210
pound frame. He';s also been durable and has only missed 17 games over the past
 five seasons. Coming into the 2018-19 season, the Ontarian will be entering
the second-last year of a seven year deal he signed back in 2013.

Pietrangelo is a Blues cornerstone and extremely important to their success.
While it';s tough to compare Wheeler';s contract to that of a defenseman, when
you compare Pietrangelo';s AAV with other top-four defensemen drafted in 2008,
such as Jake Gardiner ($4 million), Erik Karlsson ($6.5 million), and John
Carlson ($8 million), it';s clear the deal is fair for both him and the
Blues.Nashville Predators - Roman Josi

Annual cap hit: $4 million

Nashville Predators'; captain Roman Josi, like Pietrangelo, is another impact
d-man from the deep 2008 draft class. The Swiss-born Josi is the Central
Division';s newest captain, having worn the "C" for just one season.Roman Josi
is the Central Division';s newest and lowest-paid captain. (Amy Irvin / The
Hockey Writers)

Entering 2018-19, Josi is on the second-last year of a seven-year deal worth
$4 million annually he signed back in 2013. Unfortunately for him, it wasn';t
until after he signed that he really blossomed into a top-pairing, well-rounded
 defenseman, tallying 40, 55, and 61 points in the three seasons that followed
while shouldering the responsibility of facing opponents'; top players.

Josi is the Central Division';s lowest-paid captain, and given all his assets -
 steady point production, the ability to log heavy minutes, and deft skating
ability - the Predators are currently getting a tremendous bargain. It';s hard
to call anyone making millions underpaid, but his AAV truly doesn';t reflect
his contributions.

Josi won';t be underpaid for much longer. If the Predators want to retain their
 captain';s services for longer than the next two seasons, they will have to
give him a big raise that puts his salary more in line with Pietrangelo and
Karlsson. If they don';t, he';ll get it from someone else.Dallas Stars - Jamie
Benn

Annual cap hit: $9.5 million

As good as Wheeler';s offensive output has been, Jamie Benn';s - captain of the
 Dallas Stars since 2013 - has been even better. The steal of the 2007 NHL
Entry Draft has put up a whopping 413 points in the past five seasons, more
than any other current Central Division captain.No Central Division captain has
 produced more offense over the past five season than Jamie Benn. (Amy Irvin /
The Hockey Writers)

Averaging near or above a point per game, year in year out, is par for the
course for Benn, who signed a lucrative eight-year contract extension in 2016
after posting a career-high 89 points in the 2015-16 regular season and 15 more
 in the playoffs.

Benn is the Stars'; highest paid player by $2 million dollars and it';s obvious
 why - the power forward has a great shot, plays a heavy game, and possesses a
great work ethic and leadership skills.

He';s one of the top players in the NHL, one of the top forwards," Stars GM Jim
 Nill said after locking up his captain long-term. "He';s in the prime of his
career, he';s the leader of our team, and he';s a great person on top of it, so
 we';re very fortunate here in Dallas.Wheeler is Well Worth It

Wheeler';s AAV is right in line with the salaries of his Central Division
counterparts. It may seem expensive compared to the ultra-team-friendly
contracts of his teammates Mark Scheiefle and Nikolaj Ehlers, but given
everything Wheeler brings to the Jets, it';s still reasonable. Wheeler has
averaged 0.77 points per game in his career, and when compared with Toews and
Benn, who have slightly better marks in that regard but earn more, it';s
roughly equivalent.Wheeler';s contract is right in line with that of his
Central Division counterparts and indicates the Jets are in "win-now" mode.
(Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)

That doesn';t mean the contract is without risk. Wheeler will be 38 when the
deal ends, and fears about his skills regressing as he gets older are not
unfounded. However, Wheeler is a classic late bloomer who keeps getting better
with age, and there';s no evidence to suggest his play will drop off within the
 next few seasons.

"Time will tell whether or not the Jets made the right call with term and
money, or whether as some have suggested Wheeler is due for a regression. What
is immediately clear is the mentality in the Jets head office this speaks to.
The time to win is now," wrote The Hockey Writer';s Rob Mahon.

The deal undoubtedly shows a commitment to a player who will be indispensable
in leading the Jets'; quest to bring a Stanley Cup north of the border for the
first time since 1994. When compared to the contracts of the other captains
leading the teams in the NHL';s best division, it';s clear Wheeler';s is not
outlandish at all.

It';s clear his teammates and ownership feel he';s worth it and that he
fulfills all the roles an effective captain must.

"He's just one of those guys that you can't go out there and replace or find a
player similar to what he can do," Bryan Little, Wheeler';s teammate since
2011, said. "And what he can do for this team in the dressing room and off ice,
 you can't find anyone else like that."

The post Wheeler';s New Deal in Central Division Context appeared first on The
Hockey Writers.

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