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

[Oling_Roachinen]

Huberdeau also signed a bridge contract that saw him making 3.5M for 2 years, including this year. If Gaudreau wants to go that route, that's fine with me too.

Gaudreau has 5 years of RFA, Huberdeau had 2.

[Mr.Coffee]

Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen

Huberdeau also signed a bridge contract that saw him making 3.5M for 2 years, including this year. If Gaudreau wants to go that route, that's fine with me too.

Gaudreau has 5 years of RFA, Huberdeau had 2.

I understand. I'm just saying people should be expecting the number to start with a 7 if the term is going to be anything over 6 years.

[Oling_Roachinen]

I would agree. 7M+ for 7 or 8 years. No problem with that. No problem if it goes past 7.5M for 8 years.

However, at 5 or 6 years, if it doesn't start with a 6 or less, I think Treliving got demolished. At that term, the ball should be completely in Treliving's court as he's giving up the RFA years and letting Gaudreau be a UFA as early as possible. Doing that should at least allow the Flames to sign him at ~6M, making the best of the worst situation.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

What makes you so certain about that? If I'm Gaudreau that's what I'd have to be prepared to do to push the Flames to move.

Gaudreau is cutting off negotiations for 3 weeks because he cares about Playing. And said repeatedly that all he cares about is getting back to hockey and playing again, in regards to the negotiations and progress. That's priority number one for him, clearly.

That's something neither party is going to sacrifice when it comes time cause it's in neither's interest. Listen to Gaudreau's comments about it. He doesn't give af. It's the agent that is playing hard ball here. But when it comes time to potentially start missing games, you can bet your bottom dollar Johnny isn't going to stand idly by.

He's not missing time.

[Mr.Coffee]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Gaudreau is cutting off negotiations for 3 weeks because he cares about Playing. And said repeatedly that all he cares about is getting back to hockey and playing again, in regards to the negotiations and progress. That's priority number one for him, clearly.

That's something neither party is going to sacrifice when it comes time cause it's in neither's interest. Listen to Gaudreau's comments about it. He doesn't give af. It's the agent that is playing hard ball here. But when it comes time to potentially start missing games, you can bet your bottom dollar Johnny isn't going to stand idly by.

He's not missing time.

As MMF said this isn't some kid who isn't negotiating or doesn't understand what's at stake. Gaudreau's one pressure point in this negotiation is sitting out because it will very likely cost the Flames some games, I believe he is that critical to this offence and team. You're welcome to a different opinion.

If Johnny can sit out and make himself $3.5MM over 7 years based on a $0.5MM per year difference that the Flames are actually willing to move on, he will do it and so would you and refusing to sit out 12 games because you love to play to give up that much money is not happening, regardless of who it is.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

As MMF said this isn't some kid who isn't negotiating or doesn't understand what's at stake. Gaudreau's one pressure point in this negotiation is sitting out because it will very likely cost the Flames some games, I believe he is that critical to this offence and team. You're welcome to a different opinion.

If Johnny can sit out and make himself $3.5MM over 7 years based on a $0.5MM per year difference that the Flames are actually willing to move on, he will do it and so would you and refusing to sit out 12 games because you love to play to give up that much money is not happening, regardless of who it is.

Over 500 grand a year? No I wouldn't, and neither would most people. Because it's not 500 grand a year. In Alberta, he'd pay 184,57 in taxes on that 500 grand. Agents get between 3-6%, so let's call it 4 for argument's sake, which would be 20,000.

Which means the holdout is over a take home of ~$300,000 a year. Players get paid semi-monthly weeks during the season, which goes from October to March. Say Johnny signs for $7 million, that means his pre-tax income is $583k and change.

All this for what is essentially one extra paycheque a year? On $49 million? At which point he'll be 30 and in line for another massive contract?

Maybe I just don't understand the world. Can anyone reasonably say they'd notice that extra $2.1M? Maybe I'm just a communist.

[Mr.Coffee]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

Over 500 grand a year? No I wouldn't, and neither would most people. Because it's not 500 grand a year. In Alberta, he'd pay 184,57 in taxes on that 500 grand. Agents get between 3-6%, so let's call it 4 for argument's sake, which would be 20,000.

Which means the holdout is over a take home of ~$300,000 a year. Players get paid semi-monthly weeks during the season, which goes from October to March. Say Johnny signs for $7 million, that means his pre-tax income is $583k and change.

All this for what is essentially one extra paycheque a year? On $49 million? At which point he'll be 30 and in line for another massive contract?

Maybe I just don't understand the world. Can anyone reasonably say they'd notice that extra $2.1M? Maybe I'm just a communist.

I agree it's not THAT much money. The Flames should just pony up then, right? After all they're the billionaires?

$2.1MM is a lot of money to anybody. Let's not be silly here. Also, if he gets injured this is his one and only shot at getting generationally rich. I don't know about you but I wouldn't treat it like I'm haggling at some Mexican bazaar for a blanket.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

I agree it's not THAT much money. The Flames should just pony up then, right? After all they're the billionaires?

$2.1MM is a lot of money to anybody. Let's not be silly here. Also, if he gets injured this is his one and only shot at getting generationally rich. I don't know about you but I wouldn't treat it like I'm haggling at some Mexican bazaar for a blanket.

I think what's more important is that it's not such a substantial amount of money that it's worth holding out for. In less than a month, Johnny will be generationally rich regardless. If the team wants to play hardball, there's nothing wrong with the player reacting in kind. It is a business, get a the best deal you can etc.

But do it without missing real games. The World Cup provides a unique buffer because it allows Johnny to be in game shape when the season starts. He's not going to have that lull that most holdouts suffer through, so he can afford to play wait a little longer and squeeze what he can out of the Flames.

When opening night arrives, there's no reason to think anyone but #13 will be starting at left wing.

[Zevo]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

I agree it's not THAT much money. The Flames should just pony up then, right? After all they're the billionaires?

$2.1MM is a lot of money to anybody. Let's not be silly here. Also, if he gets injured this is his one and only shot at getting generationally rich. I don't know about you but I wouldn't treat it like I'm haggling at some Mexican bazaar for a blanket.

It's not just about what the owners are paying though. At this point, it's more about salary cap space that Treliving is handing out. An extra 500,000 grand here, 200,000 there, 50,000 there, etc. It adds up. If he's not getting the best deal possible now, when we are on the way up, that could cost us when we're competing for the cup.

The Flames should be trying to maximize every contract that takes us into stanley cup contention. Most of the bad ones come off the books at the end of this season and so far Treliving has done well with Brodie, Monahan and Hamilton(and Gio IMO but some will disagree).

[djsFlames]

Gio's contract was fair AAV-wise, if not good given the level he'll be contributing at in the first half, but it was 2 years too long.

[calgarywinning]

It is a business but I want a player that believes in his hockey club, teammates, management and most above all wants to play in the Calgary. For market value. I don't want to shortchange Johnny and I don't want him grossly overpaid.

I think a team gels and works together when they make it work from management to on ice and have one fundamental goal in line. The Stanley Cup. This may be business and money, but for these players that win it, it's a dream to play at that level and while fans help fund it, it is the only thing we have in mind. It's a special group that get their stuff together to make it happen. Not one level of the business can escape this.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

I agree it's not THAT much money. The Flames should just pony up then, right? After all they're the billionaires?

$2.1MM is a lot of money to anybody. Let's not be silly here. Also, if he gets injured this is his one and only shot at getting generationally rich. I don't know about you but I wouldn't treat it like I'm haggling at some Mexican bazaar for a blanket.

The Flames' payroll will be essentially the same, regardless of what they pay Gaudreau. It will have absolutely no impact on the 'billionaires' at all.

The only thing that changes, based on his salary, is how much cap space remains with which to build a team around him.

And even if he sits out, I doubt the Flames will move by $500k per year. Him sitting out will cost him real dollars (each game equals 1/82 of his salary, or $85-90K), but in all likelihood it won't really have much impact on what he signs for.

[CroFlames]

Why is it so hard for Johnny (read: Johnny's agent) to understand that he's only coming off 2 years experience, straight out of ELC. If he was coming off a bridge deal already with 4 to 5 years of NHL experience, he could negotiate for big money.

The Flames have the leverage, and they should use that leverage to get the best team-friendly deal. Low AAV for the RFA years, and then negotiate a 7 - 8.5MM for the UFA years.

Does Johnny really think he's worth 9+ million in his UFA years? More than what Stamkos' AAV is worth? Phooey.

If our wildest dreams come true, Johnny is a $8 million man in his prime. He'll never score 50 IMO.

[nik-]

The thing that gets me is that they know there's going to be other great young players that need to get paid too. Demanding too much of the pie will impact our ability to keep our high picks and have a respectable team around them.

No one can take too much to the detriment of a solid team.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by nik-

The thing that gets me is that they know there's going to be other great young players that need to get paid too. Demanding too much of the pie will impact our ability to keep our high picks and have a respectable team around them.

No one can take too much to the detriment of a solid team.

I think it's Johnny agent who is the problem. Bingo's article said it best: he's trying to make a name for himself so he can attract future superstar clients.

[Frequitude]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

I understand. I'm just saying people should be expecting the number to start with a 7 if the term is going to be anything over 6 years.

Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen

I would agree. 7M+ for 7 or 8 years. No problem with that. No problem if it goes past 7.5M for 8 years.

However, at 5 or 6 years, if it doesn't start with a 6 or less, I think Treliving got demolished. At that term, the ball should be completely in Treliving's court as he's giving up the RFA years and letting Gaudreau be a UFA as early as possible. Doing that should at least allow the Flames to sign him at ~6M, making the best of the worst situation.

So what you guys are saying is you think Gaudreau's UFA years are worth $10M+? Because 5x$6M + 3x$10M = $7.5M.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

I think it's Johnny agent who is the problem. Bingo's article said it best: he's trying to make a name for himself so he can attract future superstar clients.

Probably. But in the end the agent works for the player, not the other way around.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Originally Posted by Frequitude

So what you guys are saying is you think Gaudreau's UFA years are worth $10M+? Because 5x$6M + 3x$10M = $7.5M.

This is why I think the upper limit is around $7.5. I think you could argue $10 for UFA years, as he will be in his prime and that is 5 years from now. On the high side, but overall I could see it.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Fighting Banana Slug

This is why I think the upper limit is around $7.5. I think you could argue $10 for UFA years, as he will be in his prime and that is 5 years from now. On the high side, but overall I could see it.

http://www.generalfanager.com/players/1832

Bro, Steven Freaking Stamkos' AAV on a pure UFA contract at full term was $8.5MM. The max salary in any year is $9.5MM.

A centerman, a former 60 goal scorer, and signed it right after a 5 year deal. Total of 8 years NHL experience.

Johnny is no Stamkos.

[Ashasx]

Eh, I think Gaudreau is better than Stamkos right now.

Whether he is still at that level in 4 years, who knows.