Does getting to UFA earlier really matter? The only advantage I see is that another team wouldn't have to deplete itself to trade for him.
Financially, it means he'll only hit one 8 year 'max' deal (max not necessarily being the max allowed under CBA, but whatever amount he wants). If he goes for 8 now, he'll be 29 when that's up - a fine age to sign another 8 year 'max'. 5 + 8 = age 34 after those deals - hard to say what he'd earn at that point.
Not to mention injury risk - would be a shame if he got Lindros'd before signing a full 8.
Hopefully this is just a signal to other teams that he wants to get away, so bring on the offer sheets. I don't think the risk is nearly as significant to wait 1 more year. Edmonton matches, but then the countdown clock is on for them to trade him. Hard to imagine what the trade looks like.
Nylander + Zaitsev + Three 1sts + some more spare picks/parts? I've always thought Toronto was positioned as well as anyone to push their chips in if they wanted.
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