Quote:
Originally Posted by Hackey
Lindholm holds all the leverage. If the Flames are dead set on competing now he is their only chance at being a playoff team. They're a coin flip to make it with him. Without him I'm not sure what their direction is.
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I don’t think it’s as simple as you’re making it out to be.
Does Lindholm have leverage? Yes, he does. Does he have all the leverage? No, he doesn’t.
First of all, the Flames are the only team that can offer him an 8 year deal. And with that likely comes the most money. If he doesn’t resign, it’s likely he doesn’t get the same total amount of dollars elsewhere. Also, what if he puts up another 60-ish point season this year? What team is going to be offering him the reported $8.5-9.0M annually after that? Columbus? Maybe? The deal on the table right now might be the best he’ll get. If he chooses not to sign it, he’s taking considerable financial risk. Look no further the John Klinberg in Dallas. He didn’t sign a big extension in Dallas and it’s been an unmitigated financial disaster for him since. Gaudreau left $15M on the table.
Secondly, as pointed out by gvitaly, there will be other C’s available on the market and only so many landing spots. If Lindholm does hit the market is he itching to sign in Winnipeg? Sure there may be other more appealing local’s, but those spots are going to be in demand from a players POV. If Lindholm wants to play in Boston, for example, and so does Stephenson, advantage Boston. Which player is willing to take less term and money? Going back to Gaudreau, can’t believe when he hit the market Columbus was his first choice.
Lastly, like Backlund, Lindholm is going to have to reconcile how comfortable he and his wife are in Calgary. Do they like living here? Do they like the team? WhT about his teammates? Do they like how they’re treated and direction of the organization? These questions matter, a lot. As it has been said by others, ‘don’t F with happy’.