Quote:
Originally Posted by curves2000
It's shocking to see some of the back and forth on contract details between teams. You got a great time, city and organization like Boston offering $63 million and there is some back and forth on this and that trade protection and hesitancy for Rasmus to sign a deal in LA or wherever. I totally understand the market, people's right to choose their own destiny and more but when it's said so openly it goes to show you how different these people are than regular working people. Most people struggling to get a 2.2% raise and a hopeful promotion and elite athletes not liking details in contracts for $100 million CAD or other athletes signing half billion contracts like nothing.
Wild! Love the player and wish him well!
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I think it's easy to forget that big big sports money for the athletes is a relatively new thing, and their collective bargaining power is something really only coming to the forefront for the past few decades. Now coming to the forefront is individual athletes worth and these older tactics about "team-first" or "legacy" or "owing the team/fans something" is really just a negotiation tactic being used by execs, no different than your company telling you that you're part of the family. Until they cut you. And some players are looking at things differently. Yes there is risk in not signing long term deals, but there's also a lot to be gained if you believe in yourself. Yes injuries can happen, but a career ending injury in the span of a few months is a pretty big rarity. So why be pressured into signing a long-term deal with a team you know very little about, in a city you know very little about when you can just wait a few months and have a relaxed choice?
Even the July 1st date is seeing less panic and I don't think that's from the teams, it's from the players just being like "why do I have to decide this TODAY?" And the argument is they'll get someone else. Like in a few hours? So they want to give me $50M but not willing to wait a couple days? Players are calling the bluff.
I remember Matthews going to Europe as a teen and thinking it was brilliant. Everyone worried about how it will impact his draft status or whatever. Meanwhile, he's just thinking I'll go make money and live in Europe instead of riding a bus between Wherever and Who Cares making $150 a week. The NHL will have me, regardless.
The older attitude lands you as McDavid. Getting conned by bad actors that are selling you nonsense to save money on you. Get your money.