Quote:
Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus
Pinder on the FAN has been beating this drum for weeks with just about everyone he interviews on the matter basically shutting it down immediately. I just don't see the rationale for Tkachuk to accept a 2 year deal, with no security whatsoever, after already bargaining this long. If it were that simple it would have been done weeks ago. Why would he give up potentially his most high leverage situation to sign a 2 year bridge?
His value may never be higher than it is now and he certainly wouldn't want to risk that on what would be essentially another show me deal. Everyone knows what he is and the Flames would be dumb to gamble on that when salaries only continue to go up.
|
I disagree with a few points you make. Firstly he has little to no leverage in this scenario. Literally the least leverage he will ever have in a negotiation where he will have arb rights on the next negotiation
I also balk at the claim his value will never be higher. 2 more years of progression and a rising cap could put himself easily in a $10M+ range for the next contract.
Salaries go up so in 2 years he should be in a spot for a significant raise again in 2 years. Personally I think the Flames were hoping to avoid the bridge deal and were hoping to sign a long term deal in the 6-8 year range which would lock him up until he is 27-29 virtually getting all of his prime years.
Tkachuk getting 3 years with an extremely high QO could walk him to free agency in 4 years. A 4 year deal does the same thing. The way I see it the Flames are looking for a 6-8 year deal and the Tkachuk camp looking for 3-5 years. 2 years would be a term that is unlikely discussed.