Gio needs to be the highest paid player on the team for the next four years. Our cup window opens in the 2016-17 season. If we win a cup with Gio, I could care less if we're overpaying him for 1 or 2 seasons after that. And yes, I believe the core pieces are in place to win a Stanley Cup in 2 - 3 seasons, possibly multiple cups (unlike previous poster).
Yes there are injury concerns with Gio but nothing recurring, some of them have been complete flukes (last season's). The guy is obviously in top condition and devoted off the ice.
The price we're going to have to pay to keep him is that he's going to be overpaid for the last 1 or 2 seasons on his deal. As long as the AAV is <$8M on a 5 or 6 year contract, I'll be OK with it. Fully expecting some more Treliving wizardry though.
I'm surprised that there's so much talk about trading our captain and best player. Do you really think that Gio is going to refuse to sign a five or six year deal? Management has identified him as the leader of this team. They're not trading him. He probably wants to win a cup here. Calgary is considered an up and coming team, they have the best coach in the league, has become a very attractive destination, etc....Would you want to stay here, after leading the team to the season they had, and how bright the future is, and how supportive the fans are, and how competent the management is?
I'm much more worried that Hudler is going to be the odd man out. He would leave a HUGE hole.
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