Quote:
Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen
So the plan was to sign him all along? Yet, they didn't sign him a couple weeks ago?
And in his reply he avoided the two-way contract altogether. That's something Byron's camp would have to fight for. A reason why these fringe players have historically avoided arbitration and signed for small contracts. I've provided examples, I have yet to see someone link to a fringe NHL-player getting over a million dollar award in arbitration. If they exist they are a rarity, not the norm.
It's a discussion about Byron, only so much can be discussed. But they made him a UFA, did not state that he was part of their plan going forward and only signed him after free agency. To me that means he was plan B, not sure why people think a fringe NHL player would be plan A going into free agency and taking offense that the player, many of which seem to be stating now is not part of the future, was not on the top of the list for the Flames.
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Flames were quick to release that they were still interested in Byron.
They were not interested in possibly going to arbitration, and for whatever reason, wanted his contract below his QO, but were ok with giving him a one-way. They were obviously still ok with the 'risk' of losing him. Whether or not they had a conversation with him about his contract (entirely plausible) before he went to UFA and had a rough agreement in place, or that no other NHL team offered him a one-way - doesn't really matter.
I am not sure what you are trying to argue here. Byron would get the attention of a number of organizations at this point, but mostly for a 2-way contract. Byron also would have a much harder time making the rosters of most teams in the NHL, and the Flames are the most likely organization to give him NHL ice-time that he is looking for to start his career.
Hayes is wanting to sign elsewhere than the Hawks apparently because he has little chance to crack their NHL roster. This can mean a lot of money down the line that he misses on because he starts his career later (if at all).
Why did Byron's agent agree to perhaps (if there was any better offered) contract with the Flames than somewhere else? Because in the long run, Byron will get the best opportunity out of all 30 teams to play full-time in this organization - an organization where the coach knows him and seems to like him. That is a much more valuable contract and opportunity than one that pays him over 1 million 2-way in an organization he is likely to rarely see NHL ice time on.