NJ couldn’t make it work today but by 2027 they will have greater flexibility. Much more so than cap space the bigger obstacle is the Wild can offer him immediate contention as a lock for this years playoffs, coming off a bottom dwelling team. And they can offer him the biggest contract under the old CBA rules through next September.
If he goes to the playoffs, wins a round or two, gets comfortable with his teammates AND gets an 8 year front loaded deal paying top dollar, NJ isn’t going to be that much of a draw to wait another year.