Quote:
Originally Posted by Jake
1) Contracts are reached by bargaining. It is entirely possible that Backlund would not sign a 7 year contract at 3 million per year. Maybe he wanted a short term contract at his current market value in order to allow for the possibility of making far more in 3 years time.
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Fair point, but I'd be surprised if Backlund turned it down. $21 million guaranteed is a lot more than the vast majority of NHLers make in their career. There's been quite of few of these types of contracts in the MLB and there's a much less risk of injury there so I don't see why NHL players would be opposed to considering it.
2) Your entire idea depends on the assumption that Backlund develops into a 2nd line centre. It is risky giving a young player like Backlund a 7 year contract, because there is a substantial risk he will not turn out.[/quote]
But as indicated, if he doesn't turn out to be a top 6 player you're only overpaying the guy by likely 0.5 million. Here's a sampling of guys making between 2.5m and 3.0m: Bergenheim, Nystrom, Gordon, Higgins, Brodziak, Kopecky, Ott, Ward, etc. The risk isn't as high as it really seems.
Like it or not, deals like this aren't revolutionary. The MLB uses them all the time and based the recent Hamonic and Josi deals they're creeping into the NHL. The Backlund case is interesting because he has had quite a few injury concerns in the past so it makes the bust potential higher than usual. It's probably not worth the risk for him, but TJ Brodie is definitely a guy that should be seriously considered for this type of contract.