[Bonded]

Originally Posted by the-rasta-masta

There are a few things at play here. The Kylington situation has made Hanifin much more important to the team and less expendable.

Flames are confident an 8 year extension at $7.3AAV is where they expect the middle ground contract to fall if Hanifin re-signs, and there is legitimate interest in signing and staying from Hanifin. If that was agreed to, there would still be opportunity to move him in the future to some sort of 10-15 team list, a full NMC doesn't seem like an ask from Hanifin's side since he recognizes that limits chances of him moving if the team isn't winning.

There is also some gamesmanship being played here with media talking about talks being close, in an attempt to generate higher offers now that other teams know there is a realistic chance that he stays. I anticipate the chips will fall and this will all be resolved, one way or another, within the next 3 weeks.

Love the real OJ