Quote:
Originally Posted by PepsiFree
The problem is that you don't know what 3rd line dollars are.
Teams have, at most, one 3rd liner making OVER 2 million. You want to pay Colborne 2.5 when we already have Backlund at 3.5.
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Had to look this up, even though post-deadline it's a bit tilted. Still interesting I think, plus a worthwhile argument to look at.
Toronto has 10 forwards making over 2M
Islanders and Blues have 9.
8 teams have 8.
6 teams have 7
10 teams have 6.
Jets have 5
Flames have 4
Hurricanes have only 3.
Next season we're looking at 6 forwards at 2M+, with Gaudreau, Monahan, Frolik, Backlund, Bouma and Stajan. Colborne would make that 7, which would be normal, but starting to be a concern since we're trying to find more guys for the top 6.
Of course it really comes down to actual dollars, and there's the possibility of filling out the top 6 with prospects (Laine or Puljujärvi for the 1st line, and/or Shinkaruk for the 2nd line?), or replacing Stajan and/or Bouma with cheaper options.
Still, I agree with you that it's worth considering in the negotiations. Kind of what FanIn80 said actually. You can't be paying Colborne top 6 money just because he's playing a top 6 role right now. But I believe this is something Colborne gets. It's just a hunch, but I think if Treliving lays this out, Colborne is the kind of guy that will take the safe choice of signing with the Flames for a very reasonable figure.
EDIT:
Sorry, forgot to check the IR. Lots of teams have guys there, some have several. I corrected the list. Doesn't change the point that much, but it does make it somewhat less of a worry.