Matt Boldy signs seven-year, $49 million deal with Wild

Matt Boldy reported to work Monday still just 21 years old, but $49 million richer after he signed a seven-year contract meant to keep him with the Wild until 2030.

"A deal like this, 21 years old, $49 million?" General Manager Bill Guerin said playfully. "He better be the most confident guy walking into that rink today."

Boldy, the 12th player taken in the 2019 draft, finds himself fundamental for the franchise's future after playing in only 95 NHL games.

"I called my parents first thing and they're super excited for me," he said as the team prepared to leave for an East Coast swing. "It's obviously pretty cool to share with them. It's a pretty cool moment, that's for sure."

The 6-2, 201-pound Boldy has 12 goals and 17 assists in 42 games this season after a strong rookie season in which, after being called up in January, he scored 15 goals in 47 games. He had one goal in the Wild's six-game playoff series with the Blues and is in the final season of a three-year, $3.975 million contract.

Guerin engaged Boldy's agent, Brian Bartlett, in negotiations recently, seeking to avoid a shorter two- or three-year "bridge" contract to Boldy's third contract — or restricted free agency this summer.

In mere days, they made a deal.

"I love it here, from the moment I got here, the guys in the locker room," Boldy said. "It's a good place to be. It was a pretty easy decision for me."

The Wild get some cost certainty going forth in a business all about salary-cap management. Boldy gets financial security at such a young age, so much so teammate Ryan Reaves shouted "49 million" across the dressing room toward him on Tuesday.

"Matt's a kid we really believe in," Guerin said. "We think he's going to be a big part of our core moving forward. He's been in the league a short time, but he has had a big impact both on the ice and in the locker room. We realize it's early in his career, but we feel Matt is going to be one of the cornerstones of our organization."

Wild coach Dean Evason called Boldy a "great player, a great person and a great teammate."

"He fits the mold of what we want and who we want to be," Evason said. "We look forward to him being a leader on our hockey club for a long time."

Boldy attended suburban Boston's Dexter School and played for the U.S. National Development team as well as Boston College.

When asked what kind of player he expects to be seven years hence, Boldy said: "An older one for sure, with a more all-around game, more solid in a lot of different areas. Try to play my way, creative and smart and play strong over pucks. Hopefully, things just get better from here."

Both PuckPedia.com and CapFriendly.com reported the yearly breakdown of the extension. It will be $8 million next season, $9.7 million in 2024-25, $7.7 million in 2025-26, $6 million in 2026-27, $5.96 million in 2027-28, $5.82 million in 2028-29 and $5.82 million in 2029-30. There is no signing bonus, and the final two seasons include a modified, 10-team no-trade clause.

Wild alternate captain Marcus Foligno called the signing a smart move.

"He's a big guy and he's growing into his body still," Foligno said. "Longevity in this league is hard to come by. There's never a job secure in this league, but it feels like there is when you get those extensions. You're getting the commitment of the team to you."

Boldy said he hasn't decided what he will buy or do with all that money when his new contract begins next season.

Foligno has a suggestion or two.

"Hopefully he gets some new clothes," Foligno said. "And we'll have to have him pay for dinner. That'd be nice."