Quote:
Originally Posted by Titan2
Let's put ourselves in Pissy's shoes (eww)
Pros of signing
He is playing with one of the best offensive players to ever play the game.
He can get an extra year.
He is completely unaccountable for defensive play.
He can lock in an extension without risk of getting hurt this year.
Pros of Free Agency
He can play anywhere he chooses that makes him an offer (Insert M. Tkachuk life experience here)
He can go to a market with less media scrutiny.
He can wear flip flops to work if he chooses right.
His fiance will likely be happier somewhere else.
He can go to a lower tax jurisdiction.
He can play multiple offers against each other to take advantage of Free Agent Frenzy and get much more than he likely would in Edmonton
No one will be talking discounts
He can go to an actual contender with solid goaltending, defence and a solid supporting core.
No Staples. No Stauffer. No Edmonton media.
What on earth are people talking about he might sign in Edmonton? In what world does that make sense?
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I think one reason to follow McDavid (which is why he won’t sign before McDavid does) is that he will never be blamed for the under performance of the team and he historically will be thought of a better player than if he were running his own line against the top D pair and center and his own power play. That reduction in scrutiny may be of value to him over being the guy.
That doesn’t make Edmonton the answer but it is an advantage that only a few centers in the league can offer.
There is no reason for him to sign early even if planning to stay in Edmonton. Even in an ACL or Achilles injury scenario some team will give him 7 x 10 million a season and bet on him recovering.