Quote:
Originally Posted by TOfan
Not much logic here. Gaudreau has a ton of leverage. When has a similar situation ever worked out well for a team? He's their best player, it does the flames no good to get into a prolonged contract dispute/negotiation with him. They are a worse team with out him in the line up. Full stop. He's a huge draw here in Calgary and elsewhere. He sells tickets & merchandise. He is an asset. The flames had better get him signed to a long term contract, or deal him before the season starts. They would get a enormous package for him. He is one of the most skilled players in the league. There is almost no one else in the league like him. Closest comparable would have to be Kane, or maybe datsyuk (even though he's gone).
He was a top 10 scorer in the league in his second season. It's likely he will be a top five scorer for the next decade plus/minus a few years on either side. He makes players around him better & might be the most skilled player the flames have ever had in their line up.
If I'm Jonny and his agent, I'm not even answering the phone if the conversation starts with anything less than 8 for 7 years. If the flames want 8 years, the price goes up.
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Disagree with several points.
I believe Brodie is the best player on the Flames, evidenced by the teams performance with him out of the lineup.
There are many players in the league with similar or better scoring abilities. No knock on Johnny at all but he is somewhat unproven as an elite NHL scorer. The Flames know this and will bargain accordingly.
The Flames have had many highly skilled players over the years. Kent Nilsson obviously had the same type of skill set, but Iginla was undoubtedly the best player in the league for a couple of seasons and many players on the team in the late 80s were phenomenal talents.
His leverage is quite limited as well.
I just believe it is wrong to over-hype Gaudreau at this stage of his career. I may be wrong, but I think he will take Monahan money for 6ish years or a bridge deal.