[Gaudreauvertime]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

In business deals that I'm negotiating, I don't just compromise and "meet in the middle" when negotiations come to a halt.

There's a reason that I'm at the position I am: because that's what my company can afford. In this instance, the Flames can't afford a higher cap hit because other players need to be signed. Meeting in the middle with Johnny would be dumb because the Flames hold all the leverage.

So in this position, if the company can't afford to pay market value for certain services, they just don't. That seems reasonable - essentially you are saying that you are better off not making any deal than to pay more than what you think you can afford, even in the case that their asking price is market value.

Originally Posted by CroFlames

If the party I'm negotiating with doesn't meet me at my position, I walk away from the deal. I won't give things away cheaply. If Johnny wants something above and beyond market value, well you bridge him and then say goodbye.

But that's not what you are saying, you are saying that you'd walk away if Johnny wants something above and beyond what the Flames can afford. Those are two very different concepts. In this case, Johnny's camp holds no responsibility what Calgary can or cannot afford, and his fair market value is independent of that.

This goes back to what I said earlier. If they are still far apart on money and Calgary is at their max offer (meaning they would be made worse off by paying any more) then he should be traded for the kings ransom he would command.

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Vehemently disagree with the notion Monahan signed for upwards of half a million per season above his comparables as well. The Flames got a good fair deal for Sean, as pointed out in that signing thread if you care to read it.

Well that's weird, because nobody ever said that he signed for upwards of half a million above his comparables. So you are basically arguing with yourself. His comparables are Barkov, Forsberg, Scheifele, and Mackinnon. He signed for 75k-475k more than those comparables, I don't even know how that is debatable. Its basic math