Hindsight is 20/20 but if we would have locked him up long term from the start we likely would have known these answers while he still had term left. I also think he would have had way less leverage/incentive to ask for a trade. Knowing he could sign a 1 year deal and walk to UFA gave him all the leverage. At a minimum it would have gave the Flames more options in trades if he had 3+ years remaining. Predicting back to back 100 pts seasons I don't think anyone could have known, but you knew he was a legit top line player in his early 20s. You should never bridge a player like that. Lessons learned....maybe.
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