Walsh emphasized this point by drawing a stark comparison between Bedard's NHL rookie contract and that of Victor Wembanyama, the NBA's recent #1 overall pick. The figures reveal a significant contrast in terms of compensation and contract structure, revealing that players like Bedard (rookies) are being mistreated.
Wembanyama, the NBA's top draft selection, secured a 4-year deal worth a staggering $55,174,766, with $24,929,640 guaranteed over the first two years. In contrast, Bedard, the NHL's #1 overall pick, inked a 3-year, two-way entry-level contract with a total value of $950,000 in salary and signing bonus, amounting to an average annual value (AAV) of $317,000.