One thing I haven't seen much of in the the guesstimating of JG thoughts is rounding out the team around him. It was alluded to in a rumor about wanting the 1st line intact. If he breaks the bank, he can't have his line mates or his buddy SM. The stat that no team has won the cup with a player over 10M exists, you can't acquire the depth needed to build a winner. So any player that actually wants to win a cup IMO, needs to take a little less to get more help surrounding your top players.
TBH - if they don't take a little less for that reason, I'd say they aren't looking to win a SC as a priority. Personally, I think Johnny is someone who values winning, he has that drive and past achievements as evident in this College years. But at the end, if he wants the money, here or elsewhere, I'd move on and find someone who prioritizes a cup instead of $$. Family is a good reason and all to choose NJ or Philly, but they are a ways from cup contender status, so winning for him isn't priority if he goes to them. If that's his mentality, do we want the Flames to ice a team like that or find players that want to win and be here? Forsberg or Kadri (a center) might be very decent replacements if JG money is free'd up. Might have a little extra even for MT or rounding out the D.
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