Quote:
Originally Posted by getbak
5 years.
It's a safe bet that it won't be a 5 year contract. It'll either be shorter than that to ensure the Flames still have RFA rights to match any offer sheets when this deal expires, or it will be longer to push his UFA status as far into the future as possible. There are pros and cons to either option, for both the team and player.
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Might that be the sticking point though, assuming that this far along there is one. Gaudreau's camp may be digging their heels in for 5 years. Long enough that he still needs to get paid for his projected potential, but also means he gets his first big UFA pay day sooner as well as choice of location.
I understand there are draw backs for Gaudreau on a 5 year, such as the Flames not needing to buy any UFA years, but I don't wonder if Gaudreau's camp isn't pushing hard for term the Flames really don't want, as I could see the appeal to Gaudreau.