Friedman: Gaudreau negotiations will be put on hold during World Cup

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by pylon

I disagree. The league is going more in the "What have you done for me lately?" direction. Look how many guys can't get contracts now in their early 30's. I'd be looking for job security too.

Disagree all you want. The high number of remaining RFA years, combined with his ineligibility for arbitration and offer-sheets sets a serious drag on the value of Gaudreau's second contract. That is just the way it is.

I don't necessarily say I'm happy with Johnny's stance. But I cannot blame him. He is a special player. And his tires have been pumped more than any Flame ever, on both sides of the border. Iginla included.

This aligns with your earlier comment about how Gaudreau holds all the leverage in this negotiation, but I am curious to know what you think his options are for forcing the team's hand? He simply CANNOT play hockey in the NHL unless he signs a contract with the Calgary Flames. They could trade his rights to another team, but will almost certainly not contemplate doing so unless the return is extremely high. Yes, there is some risk on the side of the team, but so long as they control his NHL rights he still has a lot more to lose (valuable playing time) the longer this persists.

IMO if he was Canadian, and not getting crazy coverage south of the border, the deal is already done. But he knows how much more marketable he is on the East Coast US.

Is Gaudreau "getting crazy coverage south of the border"? I don't know for sure, but it would definitely surprise me if he were. The reality of the situation is that hockey is and always will be a bit-player in the sports endorsement business in the US. I am unconvinced that he could translate all that marketability into an excess of tangible earnings were he playing in the States.

Take the contract out of the equation even. He could be looking at couple million more in endorsements by signing south of the border. In Canada you get sponsored by McCain fruit punch "Elvis Stoyko goes for the gold, and gets GREAT taste!" or in his case Pizza 73. Tim Hortons if you are Sid the Kid hocking crappy cardboard sandwiches.

Down there it's a whole different ball game. Especially from the region he's from.

It would honestly be bad business sense for him to sign here, as bad as it sounds.

No, not really. The highest earning NHL player endorsement deals are not even remotely as valuable as their actual playing contracts. Again, most hockey players are simply not very visible nor marketable in the US. Gaudreau is not suddenly going to break that mould.

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by keratosis

Not like we would lose Him for nothing is it?

What do we get in return that could come close to replacing a talent like his?

[TheoFleury]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

I'd say so.

He hasn't signed the for the big payday yet = poor

He's 5'9" 150 lbs = widdle

It's training camp and the player doesn't have a deal. Why? Agent wants more than what the team is offering. It's not like the team is offering $0 per year for 8 years.

You're not giving Johnny enough credit. He's not some drooling moron or a child.

[Wastedyouth]

Well, the sky is certainly falling in here.

[polak]

Originally Posted by Wastedyouth

Well, the sky is certainly falling in here.

Storm before the calm before the real #### storm.

[GranteedEV]

Calgary may not be the best city in the world, or the best market to play in. Johnny might prefer to play for the Flyers before the end of his prime. I have little doubt or concern about those things. I also don't think he's as motivated by money as the narratives suggest. Feaster offered him a probably max ELC a year before he actually signed, that's upwards of 3 million dollars he passed up to slum it as a student. When he says:

“I love the city of Calgary,” Gaudreau said. “I love the players in this locker room. I think we have a great group of guys, and I can see myself playing here for a long time.”

“We talk about it at times, Me and Sean, we love playing together and we love the city of Calgary. If it was up to us I think we’d just sign the same deal and get back at it next season.”

and

"We're both really excited we're in Calgary. It's a great city that's so passionate about hockey, and the fans are great to us. We both want to be there for a long time with how great that city's treated us the past two years."

That sure doesn't sound like someone who's just giving a stock answer. Maybe those aren't 100% sincere comments and the word "love" should be interpreted as "like" or "don't mind". But they are way too articulate to be bold-faced lies from someone tallying off the RFA years until he can escape.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by pylon

...When he signed here, I don't even think Johnny expected to tear up the league like he did. Any shot in the league was better than none at that point. He was in no position to make any demands. Now that he is, maybe he's decided that he wants to play where he's always dreamed of playing...

Please elaborate. How will Gaudreau manage to guarantee his next playing destination outside of Calgary five years before unrestricted free agency?

[TheoFleury]

nm

[pylon]

Look, I'm just passing on some stuff I heard. Take it for what it is. Because I cannot give you the source. But put it this way. It didn't come from an Orange Julius line-up.

I was just as shocked to hear it myself, and you are free with the info what you wish. I would love to see Johnny sign here long term, but I just don't think it's gonna happen. I actually have my doubts he even plays another game in a Flames jersey. I wouldn't be buying one for a few weeks at least, put it that way.

That's just my opinion.

[Yoho]

Well timed NM Theo. the roaster would have been out on that one.

[Azhouse]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

No, not really. The highest earning NHL player endorsement deals are not even remotely as valuable as their actual playing contracts. Again, most hockey players are simply not very visible nor marketable in the US. Gaudreau is not suddenly going to break that mould.

Just kidding I am getting bored waiting.

[Flamenspiel]

Pretty sure its just a money issue, they are just haggling over dollars on a long term contract. I have to laugh when people say "its not about the money" it always is.

[djsFlames]

So what, you think it's either trade or go play in russia/europe? Cause that's all that can happen aside from him donning the Flames uniform (at some point) this season.

[TheoFleury]

Originally Posted by Yoho

Well timed NM Theo. the roaster would have been out on that one.

I just don't see how people can read so much into what people say when they don't actually know the person. They are just words, even if they are comforting. Everyone tries to maintain an image of sorts, Gaudreau is no different. Even if he hated Calgary and wanted out, he is too smart of a kid to actually say that.

What both sides have said to this point means nothing to me. The final contract will speak volumes. So would a trade if it came to that.

[BigFlameDog]

Originally Posted by TheoFleury

Prove it.

This entire thread is guess work, panic and conjecture and now you want people to "Prove" stuff??

[pylon]

And for the record. I hope my 'source' is totally full of ####. I would be more than happy to look like a fool for putting this up.

[TheoFleury]

Originally Posted by BigFlameDog

This entire thread is guess work, panic and conjecture and now you want people to "Prove" stuff??

It was a bold claim. I was interested if he could back it up or if it was just nothing.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by TheoFleury

I just don't see how people can read so much into what people say when they don't actually know the person...

I just don't see how people can read so much into what no one has ever said when no one has actually said it.

I can agree it is certainly possible that Gaudreau's public statements do not reflect his intentions to remain with the Flames long term. Can you also agree that there is virtually nothing credible beyond rampant speculation to suggest that he wants a short term deal and is intent on leaving Calgary at the earliest opportunity?

Again, in the absence of any real concrete information, the available evidence suggests that both sides are pursuing a long term deal. In short, it is not remotely unreasonable to think that he will happily remain with the Flames for a very long time.

[Manhattanboy]

Originally Posted by pylon

And for the record. I hope my 'source' is totally full of ####. I would be more than happy to look like a fool for putting this up.

Is your source credible? A reliable insider who has provided accurate information in the past? Your own suggestion as to the possibility of your source being full of crap casts some doubt.

[TheoFleury]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I just don't see how people can read so much into what no one has ever said when no one has actually said it.

I can agree it is certainly possible that Gaudreau's public statements do not reflect his intentions to remain with the Flames long term. Can you also agree that there is virtually nothing credible beyond rampant speculation to suggest that he wants a short term deal and is intent on leaving Calgary at the earliest opportunity?

Again, in the absence of any real concrete information, the available evidence suggests that both sides are pursuing a long term deal. In short, it is not remotely unreasonable to think that he will happily remain with the Flames for a very long time.

I'm not reading into his comments or trying to imagine what might be true based off of nothing. I 100% agree with what I quoted in bold btw. I'm not sure which way this will go, but I am concerned. I will admit that I have no real reason to be concerned other than it's September 27 and he is still unsigned.

I understand your point with your last paragraph but I still don't feel confident that this will result in a 6-8 year deal. I don't know what else to say but I don't feel like I'm speaking in absolutes or anything.