Quote:
Originally Posted by really?
Would have to think any flip flopping on Andersson’s part is likely centered around these factors. Perhaps the Flames are considering multiple offers, but some preferred deals would require Andersson to waive or extend. If the Flames would make deals with those teams it would require Andersson’s signature. It seems fairly clear that both the team and player are committed to a separation, but the factors cited limit the team’s ability to act unilaterally.
In respect to him re-signing with Calgary, he’s been unwilling to extend to this point, does anyone truly believing the first 20 games have enticed him to extend? I don’t think we have to worry about that.
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Only thing I could think might make him think twice is if the offer the flames gave him to re-sign is looking more competitive these days. Doubtful but maybe his play over the last two years has made a salary of $8.5 million/year pretty close to what he’ll get on the open market (assuming that’s what the flames offered him - I have no idea). His play over the last two years has likely made him considered more of a 3rd/4th defenseman rather than a 1st or 2nd defenceman for a lot of teams. If his agent has put out feelers on what other teams would sign him to in the offseason, maybe $8.5 million for 7 years is not so bad. Purely speculating of course.
The part that hurts this theory is that next summer’s crop of UFAs is so poor at this point and so many teams will have cap space, you’d think Andersson would get a pretty big contract. Maybe in the $9.5-10 million range.
We always hear Conroy makes attempts to sign these veteran UFAs before going down the trade route and I do believe he does… but I think his attempts are different than Treliving’s signing strategy of over-paying to get players to sign with Calgary. Instead, Conroy is willing to sign these players, but maybe only at a home town discount (either in term or AAV) or at most a fair market value (i.e. he’s not willing to overpay to get them to sign).