Quote:
Originally Posted by Vinny01
It is not that simple.
The flames highest paid players are Huberdeau, Kadri, Weegar who are 32, 35, 32 next season and if they keep Andersson he will be entering that equation at 30 years old as well. If they end up giving Marner $14M per they are now paying a guy approaching 30 a huge amount when this team has missed the playoffs 3 years in a row and not really a piece or two away from being a cup contender.
Where this team is at currently it would be silly to give a UFA that is likely getting paid for what they have done with diminishing returns moving forward to try and get this current roster over the hump.
Adding a 21-25 year old and paying that guy top dollar does make sense for this team who is trying to turn over a core while remaining competitive. Adding more money and term to aging players doesn’t get this team to the cup
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In 27/28 if the Flames want to be a cap team they will have an almost impossible time accomplishing that unless they just light money on fire during the 2027 offseason. They won’t probably even be much above the salary floor given who they have to sign and what they will likely sign for. It could be as simple as determining that Marner is the best UFA that will be available over the next 3 offseason sand deciding that you might as well try for him. And he is young for a UFA and really good. That could be the thinking.