Quote:
Originally Posted by Resolute 14
If the Oilers were to be obstinate and try to hold them for the full two years before making a deal, it would cost them two years of unrestricted free agency and probably $10+ million.
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Can they afford to obstinate for 2 years though? It's a fun hypothetical, but if the agents make enough noise about either not wanting to go on grounds of location/poor player development/culture then something will have to give. Either Nicholson will clean house to appease McEichel or McEichel gets shipped since "we want players that want to be Oilers." There is no way Nicholson can afford to posture for 2 years with the franchise's golden ticket. McEichel has an extraordinary amount of leverage in this scenario. More so than almost any other first overall pick in recent memory.