[Macindoc]

If you can sign him to a 7.5M X 8 deal (so a $60M retirement contract), knowing that a buyout could happen near the end, as the cost of keeping the AAV down, if you can have just a limited NTC, you keep open both options of trading him for a good return (still a very good player on a very good contract), or having him stay if the competitive window looks like it’s opening earlier (yes, I know, no false starts on that window, please).

Rasmus is fiery, he’s competitive, he’s a durable workhorse, and he’s always done everything the team has asked him to do to become a better player. If he stays, he’s the next captain. If another team sees these things in him and makes an offer you can’t refuse, then don’t. But also don’t get caught up in the mindset that he has to be traded now, because he could be more valuable to the team in the future than whoever they get in return if it isn’t a very good deal for the Flames.

Why am I thinking he could sign for $7.5M X 8? Well, he’s just said he wants to stay, and another team would have to offer him $8.57M/year to have the same total $$ on his retirement contract.