ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 16: Marat Khusnutdinov #92 of the Boston Bruins plays the puck from Jackson LaCombe #2 of the Anaheim Ducks during the third period in a 4-2 Bruins win at Honda Center on October 16, 2026 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) Getty
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 17: Marat Khusnutdinov #92 of the Boston Bruins scores a goal past Anton Forsberg #31 and Brian Dumoulin #2 of the Los Angeles Kings, to take a 2-1 lead, during the third period in a 4-1 Bruins win at Crypto.com Arena on October 17, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) Getty
The Boston Bruins appear to have a clearer picture of what it will cost to keep one of their emerging forwards.
After reports surfaced Tuesday that Marat Khusnutdinov was nearing a contract extension, new details have emerged about the potential financial commitment.
NHL insider Kevin Weekes reported Wednesday, Oct. 21, that Khusnutdinov's next contract is expected to carry a $4 million average annual value (AAV).
"This is serendipity: per sources, I'm told it's 4M AAV on a multi year contract extension for @NHLBruins F Khusnutdinov," Weekes wrote.
The exact length of the agreement remains unclear, and the Bruins have yet to officially announce a new contract.
Still, the reported figure provides a meaningful update on negotiations involving the 24-year-old, who has developed into a versatile piece of head coach Marco Sturm's lineup.
GettyANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 16: Marat Khusnutdinov #92 of the Boston Bruins plays the puck from Jackson LaCombe #2 of the Anaheim Ducks during the third period in a 4-2 Bruins win at Honda Center on October 16, 2026 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Khusnutdinov is currently playing out the final season of a two-year, $1.85 million contract signed in June 2025.
The agreement carries a $925,000 annual cap hit, according to PuckPedia .
If Weekes' reported figure holds, Khusnutdinov would see his annual earnings more than quadruple beginning with the 2027-28 season.
It would represent quite a payday for a player who arrived in Boston through a trade with the Minnesota Wild in March 2025.
The $4 million figure also provides an interesting contrast to previous projections.
In August, Heavy looked at a potential $44 million contract after Russell Macias of The Hockey News suggested Khusnutdinov could command between $4.5 million and $5.5 million annually.
The reported number falls below that range, potentially affording Boston some financial flexibility in building out its roster.
However, without knowing the number of years involved, the overall value of the extension remains uncertain.
Khusnutdinov is currently scheduled to become a restricted free agent after this season.
An extension would eliminate that uncertainty while allowing general manager Don Sweeney to get ahead of future negotiations.
GettyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 17: Marat Khusnutdinov #92 of the Boston Bruins scores a goal past Anton Forsberg #31 and Brian Dumoulin #2 of the Los Angeles Kings , to take a 2-1 lead, during the third period in a 4-1 Bruins win at Crypto.com Arena on October 17, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Boston has reasons to feel encouraged about Khusnutdinov's development.
The former second-round selection produced 15 goals and 18 assists for 33 points in 77 games during the 2025-26 season, establishing career highs across all three categories.
He followed that performance with two goals and three assists through the Bruins' first nine games this season.
Among his early highlights was the game-winning goal against the Los Angeles Kings on Oct. 17, which helped Boston secure a 4-1 victory.
His offensive contributions have been encouraging, but the versatility he brings might be just as valuable.
Khusnutdinov has handled assignments at center and wing, provided penalty-killing minutes and worked his way into Boston's second-line combination.
For Sturm, having someone capable of shifting between different responsibilities offers flexibility when injuries or lineup changes become necessary.
The Bruins have already made another substantial commitment to their young talent.
In September, Boston signed Fraser Minten to a seven-year, $50.4 million extension, providing the 22-year-old with a $7.2 million annual cap hit beginning next season.
Locking up Khusnutdinov would give Boston another building block alongside Minten as the organization reshapes its forward group.
The Bruins are also enjoying a strong start on the ice, having collected points in six consecutive games following Tuesday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Dallas Stars.
For Khusnutdinov, the reported extension would reward the progress he has made since arriving from Minnesota.
For Boston, the potential $4 million annual price tag might make the commitment even more appealing.
This article was originally published on HEAVY
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