Quote:
Originally Posted by timbit
Skinner’s or any other UFA contract cannot be used as a comparable to any RFA contract, literally and figuratively. A RFA going to arbitration cannot use a UFA contract as a comparable
The closer a team gets to losing an currently owned but prospective UFA player, the more likely a premium will have to be paid by the team holding his rights.
Factor in the said asset (player) replacement cost , should the UFA walk, and the additional salary and premium to keep him starts to make sense.
Moral of the story is get core player’s second and / or third contracts heading towards UFA done as early as possible and reduce team expense and exposure. The longer you wait, the more expensive it gets for the team to retain the player and/or replace him.
Treliving has done an excellent job of getting potential UFA core Flames players under contract early and to very reasonable terms and amounts.
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Still leaves one wondering if Skinner could have gotten 9m elsewhere. For a player of his stature if he gets injured, or his production drops off the Sabres will have another Milan Lucic on their hands. I can't see this ending well for them.