Quote:
Originally Posted by djsFlames
I'm not worried. Been certain he's re-signing since the winter.
Johnny is a loyal guy who is invested in this group. He just wants to get a nicer slice of cake than he did on his last contract and I don't blame him. You have to run the clock down to attain the most leverage in these negotiations. If you make it look like you're willing to walk away, that's how you get the best possible deal for you.
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See, I don't share this view at all. Counting on NHL superstar players having loyalties to a club is probably a bit naive. There are just too many factors at play and money/term is not the biggest factor, because, they will get relatively same contract elsewhere. Pretty much all players I've spoken too in the past mostly value cities that they want to live in, cities that their wives like to live in, teams that have players they know and like to play with and coaches they don't have a negative experience with/view of. Being close to parents and/or friends is a factor too. Loyalty to an organization is much more important to 3rd-4th line players, who have expectations of being treated nicely by it when the time comes. Superstar players don't usually need this kind of reassurances/safety net.
Two months ago, I was 100% certain that Johnny was going to Philadelphia or Jersey (new house, young wife, parents, being a fan of Philly since birth, Guy being a coach there etc. - that is a lot of telltale pointers!). This conversation/opinion yesterday was a surprise to me. Happy to be wrong. But at the same time, this would be a massive $80M+/- contract for a player who has yet to prove he's worth it in the playoffs. If he leaves, that is a big cap room to work with for Treliving.