Quote:
Originally Posted by Otto-matic
Probably wanting to get his feet wet in the NHL, Calgary gave him the opportunity to showcase what he has. He would have been a big unknown to a lot of teams before he played his first season. No guarantee he would get a contract.
I'm hoping those rumors aren't true.  |
Gaudreau won the Hobey Baker his junior year. If he went back for his senior year and put up similar or even better numbers, there's no doubt he would get a contract.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pylon
I disagree. The league is going more in the "What have you done for me lately?" direction. Look how many guys can't get contracts now in their early 30's. I'd be looking for job security too.
I don't necessarily say I'm happy with Johnny's stance. But I cannot blame him. He is a special player. And his tires have been pumped more than any Flame ever, on both sides of the border. Iginla included.
IMO if he was Canadian, and not getting crazy coverage south of the border, the deal is already done. But he knows how much more marketable he is on the East Coast US.
Take the contract out of the equation even. He could be looking at couple million more in endorsements by signing south of the border. In Canada you get sponsored by McCain fruit punch "Elvis Stoyko goes for the gold, and gets GREAT taste!" or in his case Pizza 73. Tim Hortons if you are Sid the Kid hocking crappy cardboard sandwiches.
Down there it's a whole different ball game. Especially from the region he's from.
It would honestly be bad business sense for him to sign here, as bad as it sounds.
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This isn't the NBA where players are signing 100+ million dollar shoe deals.
Crosby (4.5M/yr) or Ovechkin (3.5M/yr), the next closest is Stamkos at 1.7M/yr. NHL endorsements in the US are not that substantial compared to what they would make in Canada.