Quote:
Originally Posted by bigrangy
Very much agreed with all points. A bridge is the best solution for all parties. Gaudreau gets the opportunity to prove that he is a top 10 player, the Flames get the opportunity to see how much Bennett and Tkachuk will cost.
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I don't see how it is in the best interest of Gaudreau at all. He's as good a bet as anyone to be a top player in this league for a long time. But 2 great years does not make him an absolute sure thing. He could sign a 2 year deal, and get a couple nagging injuries, not develop as planned, meet a complicated girl... and end up leaving 40 million on the table. Getting to prove he's a top ten is what the difference between a 50 million contract and a 60 million? I don't see how an agent can look at that as a positive risk/reward move.
It is interesting to contrast hockey to baseball CBAs effect in this regard. Bryce Harper, by all objectivity, was an even more elite talent at the same age. He had no issues taking a 7.5 million over 2 year contract when he could have easily signed a 200-300 million contract. In Harper's case though, the reward was the prospects of a 500-700 million contract.
I think it is kind of lame that hockey has reached the point where team's have to decide if their guy is a star or not after 2-3 years.