The problems with going long term are numerous:
You are banking on the player improving. Yeah there is upside if the player improves more than planned, or the cap grows more than anticipated. But if he stagnates you are stuck with an anchor contract with a ridiculous term.
You are overpaying for the next few years compared to a short term deal, on a team with little salary cap space in the next few years.
What this team needs is another elite forward. Why take a gamble on a player who most certainly won’t be that, while limiting your ability to add salary for a top player?
An 8 year contract removes a large incentive for the player to want to achieve his peak potential.
It’s a discussion about something that almost certainly wont happen. Still think he signs for 2 years under $5 million total.
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