[Rumour] McKenzie: Gaudreau & Flames are closing gap, but it's still a considerable gap.

[Looch City]

Today is the day! I can feel it.

[underclassman]

^^^^ I hope you're right !!!!

[Tinordi]

Just to discuss the dynamics on Gaudreau's end. They're seeing the writing on the wall, the NHL salary structure is significantly rebalancing toward paying the best players the most. The best players, 21-26 year old fowards, are by-in-large pushing the envelope for greater pay. The problem with that is that it's zero-sum. If you don't get your huge payday now you may see it whither in the future when you sign a contract when you're 27 and you're competing against 22 year olds.

For Gaudreau's camp they're looking at the trend. If we don't go for max money now, there will be alot less money allocated to players of my age bracket when I expect to get my huge payday as a UFA. Maybe that's being short sighted. The top UFAs tend to command top dollars even if they're older like Stamkos, but would you take that risk if you were Gaudreau?

You have one shot to make a boat of money to last you and your family the rest of your life. Now's your shot. You don't cut anyone a break.

[Crumpy-Gunt]

[saillias]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

Just to discuss the dynamics on Gaudreau's end. They're seeing the writing on the wall, the NHL salary structure is significantly rebalancing toward paying the best players the most. The best players, 21-26 year old fowards, are by-in-large pushing the envelope for greater pay. The problem with that is that it's zero-sum. If you don't get your huge payday now you may see it whither in the future when you sign a contract when you're 27 and you're competing against 22 year olds.

For Gaudreau's camp they're looking at the trend. If we don't go for max money now, there will be alot less money allocated to players of my age bracket when I expect to get my huge payday as a UFA. Maybe that's being short sighted. The top UFAs tend to command top dollars even if they're older like Stamkos, but would you take that risk if you were Gaudreau?

You have one shot to make a boat of money to last you and your family the rest of your life. Now's your shot. You don't cut anyone a break.

Agreed, but some hockey fans will never be able to look past the "greedy millionaire" narrative that players should just take a lesser amount that benefits the team because it's already a ton of cash.

This org's plan seems to involve paying UFAs in that "win now" age range (28-30ish) handsomely every summer. I don't think Gaudreau should be forced into a lower salary bracket because management overvalues guys like Troy frickin Brouwer.

[Hockeyguy15]

Didn't they say at the intermission last night (Canucks broadcast) that it was believed the Flames were somewhere between 7 and 7.5 on their offer? If that's the case this whole Gio cap and Gaudreauvertime trolling last night were moot.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Gaudreauvertime

Hull
McInnis
Gilmour
St. Louis

That's a fairly strong list of players that were more or less pushed away. It doesn't mean we will make those same mistakes, but I'm definitely wary. And the current situation doesn't smell right.

MacInnis was traded when he was offer sheeted by the Blues in a world where small market Canadian teams couldn't compete.

Hull was traded to bolster a cup team. He was a first year player at the time, they knew what they were giving up.

Gilmour was a contract squabble and I guess maybe you're best example (and only)

St. Louis was a nobody. He was akin to Kiprusoff for the Sharks. Whoops! Not letting a star player go.

This is such a silly direction in this conversation. Why?

[RoughRiderRowdy]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

Considering the fact your logic was thoroughly defeated on the last page and you had no retort, I think I'll pass.

You and Gaudreauvertime were the ones wasting everyone's time in the last hour with that ridiculous assertion the Flames "history losing star players" makes this present negotiation with Gaudreau a concern. You need to sip that whisky you were talking about and take a break. That was the only good idea you put forth.

You have some brutally terrible ideas as well gojetsgo. You sure seem to rub people the wrong way as well. Maybe you could bring over some jack daniels and we could have a whiskey drink together

[puckedoff]

My sources say they don't know whether Gaudreau will sign today. Mods can follow me on Twitter if they want.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by saillias

Agreed, but some hockey fans will never be able to look past the "greedy millionaire" narrative that players should just take a lesser amount that benefits the team because it's already a ton of cash.

This org's plan seems to involve paying UFAs in that "win now" age range (28-30ish) handsomely every summer. I don't think Gaudreau should be forced into a lower salary bracket because management overvalues guys like Troy frickin Brouwer.

If this is the "narrative" that you are reading from most posters in this thread, then I dare to suggest that you need to pay closer attention. By and large I see this as a negotiation that hinges ENTIRELY on Gaudreau's severely limited rights—it is not about "greed" nor about the team undervaluing its young, star player.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

I don't get why this is rubbing people the wrong way. It's a kid negotiating the deal of his life and both sides are grinding. It really is nothing personal, even if he sits out. This is business and this is how deals go sometimes, it's not a big deal.

He will sign eventually because sitting out a year makes zero sense for him. I wouldn't stress about it.

Furthering this, I used to be one of those people who thought players should always be willing to "take less" in order to win more, because they're still rich and can live happy, but over the years I've turned away from that view. These guys have one career, and are always one play away from that career ending. They should always be trying to maximize what they can earn, plus $8 million per isn't really $8 million per after all, when you factor in taxes and agent fees and all the other things it's probably closer to $4.5-5 million per. I'll admire players who choose to take less, but I also don't blame players for looking to cash in. If any of us had talent to make huge money (well you know, more than the $100,000 avg everyone makes on here), I'm doubting most of us would be willing to "take less"

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

If this is the "narrative" that you are reading from most posters in this thread, then I dare to suggest that you need to pay closer attention. By and large I see this as a negotiation that hinges ENTIRELY on Gaudreau's severely limited rights—it is not about "greed" nor about the team undervaluing its young, star player.

Well you are articulating the Flames position quite well. I am quite sure Johnny's agent isn't touting the position that the negotiation hinges "ENTIRELY" on his client's severely limited rights.

[Flash Walken]

According to my sources linked to the negotiation it is now just after 10 am eastern time on a Friday.

I should have more updates later in the day.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

According to my sources linked to the negotiation it is now just after 10 am eastern time on a Friday.

I should have more updates later in the day.

Interesting, thanks. Really have a sinking feeling that the longer this goes the more time will pass.

[saillias]

Mr Textcritic sir, many posters in the past several pages have expressed the sentiment that they are souring on Johnny and this ongoing thing is leaving a bad taste in their mouth. That he thinks he's bigger than the team blah blah blah

[JerryUnderscore]

Well, it's good to see this conversation hasn't gone any better than others.

Here are the facts we know:

1. The Flames were initially asking around $6.4M.
2. Gaudreau's camp was initially asking $8M+
3. According to MacKenzie, both sides have conceded some, but the gap is still there.
4. Both sides continue to publicly state they want Gaudreau in Calgary long term (without directly defining "long term").

As for speculation:

1. Bob also mentioned that Gaudreau is hoping for Tarasenko money, which could mean they've come down to $7.5M
2. All the talking heads have eluded to the "Gio cap", which could mean that the Flames have come up to $6.75M.

If the two above assumptions are true, then the gap between the two sides is still about 750k. That's still a gap, but not too extreme. Furthermore, I'm not sure I would consider either offer ($6.75M & $7.5M) to be "insulting" even if they're both wide of the final amount.

This is why I, once again, land in the $7.25M/8 range. That still pays Gaudreau $58M over the next 8 years.

[ResAlien]

I don't know anything anymore. Should I be cautiously pessimistic or aggressively reserved about this? Please, someone tell me how to feel. It's so cold.

[Buff]

I'm reminded of an old Sunday School Song called "This Is The Day". Here are the lyrics:

This is the day, this is the day
That the lord has made, that the lord has made
We will rejoice, we will rejoice
and be glad in it....

WAIT?!?!? THIS IS THE DAY AND WE WILL REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT???????????????????? Johnny Gaudreau is totally signing an 8 year, cap friendly contract... TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YES!

[Rhettzky]

Originally Posted by saillias

Mr Textcritic sir, many posters in the past several pages have expressed the sentiment that they are souring on Johnny and this ongoing thing is leaving a bad taste in their mouth. That he thinks he's bigger than the team blah blah blah

Same thing happened with Giordano. People were ready to drag him out into the street based on his reported asks. I think patience is best practiced in this situation. I don't blame the team for trying to get the best deal and I don' t blame Johnny for doing the same for himself.

[Freeway]

Aside: I don't think there's a Gio cap. There is a salary cap, and the Flames are right up on it.