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

[Murph]

Originally Posted by bigrangy

They do have the league's two best centres locked up forever at under 20 million as well. All the teams that have been successful lately have been underpaying their stars relative to their contributions.

Crosby at 8.7 is a steal.
Thornton and Vlasic are underpaid.
Kane and Toews were making less than 7 million in the years they won the cup. Keith doesn't even make 6 million.
Kopitar wasn't even making 7 million.

So???

In two to three years when this team will be contending we will have our top two centres (Monahan, Bennett) and our top winger (Gaudreau) all signed long term for under $20M.

The point that I'm making, which you and Erik seem to be ignoring, is that Brouwer and Frolik signed for a combined $8M works fine in the cap structure.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I don't think Treliving flew commercial. I dont think commercial flights from NYC generally go thru Minnie (that one I'm iffy on though). I don't think Burke went and the only owner I could see going would be Edwards, who doesn't match the description. I don't see them flying anything but first class which puts them in seats by themselves. I don't see them casually talking to a random person.

Not trying to slam the poster, it just seems doubtful to me.

There's no reason to think they wouldn't have flown commercial. If the direct flights from New York to Calgary were all booked or not at a convenient time, Minneapolis is definitely one of the hubs that they could have caught a flight through.

While Burke wouldn't go out of his way to hold court with random members of public, I don't get the impression he'd avoid talking to people who initiated the conversation either.

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I don't think Treliving flew commercial. I dont think commercial flights from NYC generally go thru Minnie (that one I'm iffy on though). I don't think Burke went and the only owner I could see going would be Edwards, who doesn't match the description. I don't see them flying anything but first class which puts them in seats by themselves. I don't see them casually talking to a random person.

Not trying to slam the poster, it just seems doubtful to me.

Ironically, the one and only place I've ever seen Burke in person was the Minneapolis airport.

Edit: If I remember correctly, he lived in the region and perhaps may still have some personal ties?

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

4) even if they were talking about the negotiations in public, why would Burke be telling Treliving what Gross was demanding? (Treliving was in the negotiations, not Burke)e

I was under the impression a fan asked Burke about the negotiations and Burke replied with Gaudreau's ask. While unlikely to be factual, it's plausible as Burke is not revealing Calgary's ask, or the middle ground they are looking for, or how they even feel about 50M over 7Y. Even if true, it's not a major leak as agents usually leak their ask (for instance 8Y x 8M) to the media.

I do doubt it's true, though. Simply because it's too good an ask to be true. And for the other three reasons you already stated.

[Manhattanboy]

Oh for God's sake assuming he was on the trip there is no way Burke makes a comment like that to a random stranger.

[Iggy Snipe]

I was not worried at all this summer about Johnny getting signed before the start of the season, but now I feel like theres a decent chance Johnny misses some games which is a shame. Shame on both sides if they don't get it done before the season.

[Manhattanboy]

And I am the one who suggested an owner might be on the trip. The possibility was relayed to me by another owner was not even certain at the time.

[pylon]

If the Flames have the opportunity to, and have not signed him @ 7.15m/yr x 7 years, then we have totally clueless cheap asses running the team. That is fair for both sides.

Even if it is 3-400k/ year above their tolerance, you are risking alienating him long term over what isn't even a league minimum, pressbox, popcorn munching plug.

[hockey.modern]

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Most importantly from his supposed Burke encounter is that is he gave a number, $50/7yr, he sure as heck meant $50M as a dollar range, not an exact number.

You really think he's gonna say, yeah kids asking for $56.4M with a NTC and lifetime skittles supply etc etc?

[Alpine Fisher]

Originally Posted by Murph

So???

In two to three years when this team will be contending we will have our top two centres (Monahan, Bennett) and our top winger (Gaudreau) all signed long term for under $20M.

The point that I'm making, which you and Erik seem to be ignoring, is that Brouwer and Frolik signed for a combined $8M works fine in the cap structure.

Which is 2M too high imo.

Frolik is worth 2.5M and Brouwer 3.5M

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by getbak

There's no reason to think they wouldn't have flown commercial. If the direct flights from New York to Calgary were all booked or not at a convenient time, Minneapolis is definitely one of the hubs that they could have caught a flight through.

While Burke wouldn't go out of his way to hold court with random members of public, I don't get the impression he'd avoid talking to people who initiated the conversation either.

When he flew out it was pretty much stated by someone that he flew on a charter. And the reason to think this is also because CNRL owns planes and Richard Hotchkiss owns a charter company that the Flames use.

As I said, I was iffy about whether Minnie was a stopover but I concede that point given you are sure.

[Toonage]

The market dictates their worth and the contract(s) reflect that.

What an individual thinks a player is worth is, well, worthless.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

I was under the impression a fan asked Burke about the negotiations and Burke replied with Gaudreau's ask. While unlikely to be factual, it's plausible as Burke is not revealing Calgary's ask, or the middle ground they are looking for, or how they even feel about 50M over 7Y. Even if true, it's not a major leak as agents usually leak their ask (for instance 8Y x 8M) to the media.

I do doubt it's true, though. Simply because it's too good an ask to be true. And for the other three reasons you already stated.

I'm sorry... are you actually suggesting that, in the middle of a delicate and private, but more-public-than-preferred negotiation, that Brian Burke, the President of Hockey Operations, would tell a random stranger what Gaudreau's camp was asking, simply because they inquired?

Is that what you're presenting here?

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by Alpine Fisher

Which is 2M too high imo.

Frolik is worth 2.5M and Brouwer 3.5M

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I'm sorry... are you actually suggesting that, in the middle of a delicate and private, but more-public-than-preferred negotiation, that Brian Burke, the President of Hockey Operations, would tell a random stranger what Gaudreau's camp was asking, simply because they inquired?

Is that what you're presenting here?

No.

What I am presenting, is that the statement

When asked about Gaudreau, Burke said "the kid wants $50M over 7yrs".!

If you have reading comprehension, does not imply Burke was "telling Treliving what Gross was demanding"

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Alpine Fisher

Which is 2M too high imo.

Frolik is worth 2.5M and Brouwer 3.5M

So Frolik is the equivalent of Derek Dorsett? Cal Clutterbuck?

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

FWIW -- I just looked on Expedia, and the majority of all connecting flights from NYC to Calgary stop in Minneapolis.

[Manhattanboy]

I don't believe any of the story.

[bigrangy]

Originally Posted by Alpine Fisher

Which is 2M too high imo.

Frolik is worth 2.5M and Brouwer 3.5M

Maybe, but your individual player valuations are off.

Frolik is 100% worth 4 million as a UFA. Brouwer was overpaid, even considering his UFA status.

Frolik at 2.5 million would be the 2nd best contract on this team.