Quote:
Originally Posted by Flash Walken
Obviously there is pressure in different ways on both sides.
The situation right now isn't a nylander situation where the Leafs had cap space to sign him but didn't want to pay the price, the situation right now is the Flames don't have capspace to sign him.
The Flames also need Tkachuk a hell of a lot more than the Leafs needed Nylander.
Right now there is some ambiguity about just how much Tkachuk impacts the lineup, but in a situation where he goes unsigned for the month of October for example, and the flames are a 500 or sub 500 team, the pressure on the flames is substantially higher.
In the middle of your contending window you don't let your second best offensive player sit out and lose a ton of games as a result just to prove a point. Treliving is on the hot seat here, getting behind the 8 ball because you didn't make enough room to sign one of your best players isn't a great look after the last 2 seasons he's had.
I don't think there is any real concern or debate between the organization and tkachuk's camp on what he's going to be paid. The problem of not signing tkachuk is directly related to the lack of cap dollars the Flames have.
IMO, this is a one sided issue at this point; the flames need to get their house in order.
|
The Flames have to make a move for sure ... they have to clear some space.
But you don't honestly think the two sides are done on a deal and that's the hold up do you? This is a multi team vs multi player game of chicken with the Flames holding a pretty key player in the battle.
I'd imagine GMs think it vital not to be the second contract to emerge like the system breaking Matthews example.