[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

What I would have done, before the deadline, once it became clear he wasn't signing.

- Ask him for three teams he wants to sign with
- Call those teams
- Offer them a signed Gaudreau for 8 years instead of the 7 they would get
- Let each team know there are two other teams in the same picture
- Find out what each team would need to do to clear space
- Work out the best deal I can from amongst those teams
- Sign him for 8x11.5 and make the trade to the team with the best deal

Johnny gets to go where he wants and gets the term and $$ he would have from us.
The team gets Johnny for 8 years instead of 7 and some space for his contract.
We get something (picks, a cap dump, maybe a prospect) in return.

Do I live in a different universe than other people? Probably, but at least in my universe everyone wins.

I believe the CBA prevents a team from signing and trading their player to an 8 year deal. Could be wrong though.