[Huntingwhale]

Phenomenal deal by BT to get Gaudreau at that cap hit. While I would have preferred 7-8 years like many others, remember this is still the 2nd longest contract in Flames history (after Monahan's).

Still, I think the 6 years works great for both sides. Gaudreau gets to his UFA status at age 29. He still has time to cash in on a long term deal. Should he decide to extend with the Flames, he can do so during year 5 at age 28. An 8 year deal would have brought him to age 30. Suddenly another long term contract at age 28-29 looks a whole lot better then one at age 30. If (big IF) the team wants to trade him during the last couple years for a king's ransom, 28-29 is a whole lot nicer number then 30. Calgary gets him for the duration of his prime and the cup window is open during that time.

Iginla never signed a contract longer then 5 years. After his Conn Smyth worth performance in '04, his next contract was only 3 years and was a much bigger percentage of the cap. So much can happen in 6 years time.

And honestly I also think other GMs'/owners around the league are ecstatic with this contract. It's nice to see a contract that goes against the norm of paying huge money that sets the new bar. Whether it's Kane, Towes, Kopitar, Getzlaf etc, it just seems every big star sets the new bar and then every player in the league feels they have to be paid in that ballpark. Hopefully next time a player tosses out the ''Tarasenko'' contract (or another similar contract) as a reason why they should get paid big money, a GM can point at Gaudreau's to counter it.

I'm super glad the Flames bent but didn't break. If this was Feaster or most other GMS, he would have had Gaudreau signed a lot sooner but at his full asking price simply to appease fans and media that ''wanted the damned thing signed''.

So glad we have BT as our GM.