[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Jiffy Loob

I'm still a little surprised at this "sizeable" offer of 8 x $9.5M coupled now with the rumor from Friedman that the Flames would love to hear something from his camp this week and are now "flexible" to increase the offer.

I realize signing all other players is a major challenge, but that's not really Gaudreau's problem, and if you're "moving heaven and earth", how is that your first offer? Low-balling the annual amount and transparently using the 8th year to negotiate a potentially slightly higher total 8 year contract amount to win over the player I don't believe is the best starting strategy.

I would imagine they're aware other teams are prepared to offer $10+ over 7 years and there's something to being valued as a top-player in the league for what you're doing now. Also aware everyone keeps on saying it's not about money, but after scoring the second highest amount of points with a truly legendary +/- and driving the "best line in hockey", he should be paid as a top earner annually. Even if the team has tough decisions when signing other players - it's the double-edged sword of having a top-five scorer.

And while the 8 year offer from the Flames is a lot of dough for sure, he's still making less per year than Panarin - that's not right. If I value myself as a top earner (and Gaudreau was theoretically #2 earner in the league this year), I want to be paid commensurately and fairly by the market. And ownerships typically need to step up accordingly.

All said, if I'm John (or his agent) I would have decided to set a min benchmark at $10M - with every job offer you need to know your min number. Having heard this first offer, I keep mum, and I wait until the 11th hour to see if the Flames up it to $9.75 or $10M, as I ultimately use it to boost my 8 year AAV amount from $9.5 to ~$10M.

I know many may disagree, but even at $10M/yr Johnny could be a bargain relative to other top offensive players over the next few years. What does Pasta, JT Miller or Kadri get, for example? Pay the man his money, as that guy says.

I think it’s a forgone conclusion that Johnny is getting at least $10M per season.

He might even get in the $12M range.