[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

True, but there is no indication that Tkachuk was insisting on a bridge deal or nothing. Tkachuk said he was willing to sign long term. Treliving said that bridge idea was something that worked for the team at that point and was decided on for cap reasons. Treliving also seemed surprised and caught off guard that Tkachuk said he wouldn't sign a long term deal last summer. There is evidence to suggest that a longer term deal was a possibility at one point and he was still in the long term plans.

The team also had leverage even if Tkachuk was the one insisting on the bridge. Let him hold out and play hardball. It was a different regime, but the Flames even did that with Iginla back in the day.

Where there's smoke...