Quote:
Originally Posted by ComixZone
I think Tkachuk needs to be signed or traded prior to July 11th. The moment that QO goes to Tkachuk, the game changes because all he has to do is sign it.
Trade him or sign him by Monday.
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I doubt Tkachuk signs the QO immediately, as it closes the door on him signing a long-term deal (though obviously you'd like to avoid that risk if possible). On July 12 he will be free to talk to any team he'd like - ostensibly about an offer sheet, but they could also be discussing possibilities 1 year down the road.
I don't think there is a significant difference in his trade value at 1x9M vs. unsigned QO (where 1x9M is the worst case scenario for any team acquiring him). Even if it's not a great AAV, I think he'll be a lot more valuable with cost/term-certainty.
A 1-year offer-sheet is a potentially brutal scenario though. If the Flames match, they cannot trade him for 1 calendar year, walking him to UFA. I don't believe that is true for the other team if the sheet goes unmatched (so they have an out if Tkachuk won't sign an extension between Jan. 1 and TDL).
An interesting wrinkle is that he might not be eligible to sign an 8 year extension until after the next TDL passes.