While I think Stone is undervalued by some, $10.5M would be a huge mistake
I think he finds teams around the $9M mark, but it also wouldn't be strange to see him sign in the $7-$8M range with whatever team acquires him. If there's a fit and he feels he can find success with the team I could see him being a good value for someone - and the long dance of 'will he sign with Ottawa' is a sign of that. I think him and his camp have really considered staying in Ottawa (and very well still could), and that says a lot of where his motivations were. Turning down $10.5M is turning down money to win.
At the same time, the Senator's position can flip to something much weaker as Monday nears. The only thing that could make the Senators bad situation even worse is swinging for the fences this weekend and missing. If Colorado drafting with your 1st isn't bad enough, letting 3 UFAs walk with nothing to show for it would undoubtedly be the end for Dorion. But, they're a bunch of must-sell pieces in a sellers market and everyone knows how desperate they are to sell. If a few teams turn their attention elsewhere (and there are a lot of options) Dorion's bargaining power dwindles away quickly.
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