Mathew Tkachuk and other key RFA signing watch thread

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Again, ignoring the fact that I don't think the organization and ownership would do this - I would simply use this as a moment to say that the current rebuild didn't work. Use Tkachuk to replenish the asset base and initiate a proper rebuild that allows this team to be a contender for an extended window.

If ownership is pulling the strings and Treliving is unable to move Tkachuk even if he wants to and the team ends up losing him next summer for nothing as painful as it is for us, it's going to put this organization into a rebuild situation whether they like it or not as the roster isn't going to be good enough to even make the playoffs and there's really no indication that the organization has even a single difference maker in their prospect base and the team will simply get gradually worse year over year.

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by Samonadreau

When the flames offerred the qualifing offer to Tkachuk, what does that mean exactly? Whats the term and dollars associated with that?

A team offers a qualifying offer in order to keep the rights for the player. In Tkachuk's case it is essentially a 1 year contract offer that pays $9M. Tkachuk can accept it, sign an offer sheet, or go to arbitration, where an arbitrator decides if he is underpaid at $9M, and can give him a 1 year contract for even more money. In Tkachuk's case(he will be awarded more than $4.5M), after the arbitration settlement the Flames have an option to walk away from the settlement and make Tkachuk a UFA instead of pay him.

[Finger Cookin]

I've personally got a feeling of dread regarding Tkachuk's long term future with the team if he decides to go to arbitration. Only time will tell.

Tough time to be an optimistic Flames fan.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Parallex

Why would he take that deal when he can just accept his qualifying offer and go unrestricted next year? With Chucky it's either 1 year or 8 years. No inbetween.

Arbitration

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by activeStick

Fair comments, I think. There's the current window the Flames are in, now minus Gaudreau, but still with Lindholm, Hanifin, Andersson, Tanev on great deals and a number one goalie in Markstrom. Should the Flames flip the switch and "rebuild" (which I agree Flames management isn't interested in)? Or does it make more sense to try and continue with this group despite losing Gaudreau, but still with the value contracts that Treliving put in place? Replacing how dynamic Gaudreau is isn't going to happen, but can someone slide into that spot and still end with Tkachuk getting 75-85? Lindholm is still a very good player.

It depends if MT signs an extension. If he doesn't you can't afford to lose another star for nothing. You just can't.

[8sPOT]

I fully believe Treliving should offer a 7-8 year deal with a deadline. Tkachuks intentions should be pretty clear from there.

But how do you trade an unsigned RFA? It’s not just a simple move by any means. You’d have to gauge interest from both Tkachuk and the other team right? Otherwise no team would be willing to pay what it would take to acquire him.

Would love to see an 8 year contract announced in the next little while but not sure that’s very likely.

[foshizzle11]

I obviously would love to keep Tkachuk a flame forever, even name him the captain, but I think he pulls a Johnny to play for his home town team or at least closer to his family out east, maybe he wants to go play with his brother, who knows.

Anyway, the Flames have to get him signed this summer to an extension or they need to put him on the trade block at the start of the season and get everything they can possibly get from a trade for him before the deadline, any team, the best package for the Flames, not for Mathew. It isn't like he is going to play with that team for long.

Does he have a NTC and a list of teams? I don't even know.

If we could have got the 2nd overall this past draft for him, if that is true, I don't get why the Flames didn't do it. Especially since Johnny was so up in the air at that point. That would have been my internal deadline for JG to sign here, if he didn't then I start making decisions about our team to not include him in the future, which means a retool/rebuild in my mind to try to replace assets that could leave us with nothing (ie what happened).

Mathew, don't be a ###### and either sign now or at least tell management you want out, be a man and stand up for what you want so you don't screw this team over.

Thank you.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

Arbitration

I think it's highly highly highly unlikely that Tkachuk will elect arbitration... he'll either sign the QO or a longterm contract.

[activeStick]

Originally Posted by edslunch

It depends if MT signs an extension. If he doesn't you can't afford to lose another star for nothing. You just can't.

I agree 100%. Treliving has already proven he will get great value if faced with a situation where a player is honest with him and says he doesn't want to play (Fox for number 1 center and top pairing D). And I think he's learned a bitter lesson here to not trust in the word of a player who appears to be honest - he'll attach discussions with hard dates with Tkachuk and move him if it comes to that. Ownership also learned a hard lesson with what happened and I suspect won't tie Treliving's hands if it comes down to that.

[chedder]

I still don't understand how anyone can think we'd get a team changing return for Chucky at this point. We'll get spare parts and maybe a first round pick.

He's one year away from free agency so unless we can somehow trade him to the exact team he wants to sign long term and they don't want to wait a year what are they going to give up?

In saying this he does need to be traded if he won't sign long term before training camp so we aren't left with nothing.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Parallex

I think it's highly highly highly unlikely that Tkachuk will elect arbitration... he'll either sign the QO or a longterm contract.

It was also highly highly highly unlikely that Gaudreau stayed here for another 8. Outline the best scenario on a fan forum, expect the worst scenario in reality. Decades of such examples and experience.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Parallex

I think it's highly highly highly unlikely that Tkachuk will elect arbitration... he'll either sign the QO or a longterm contract.

He would have a case for more than the $9M QO if the goes to Arb so not sure why he wouldn’t go that route

[Ashasx]

lol why wouldn't Tkachuk elect for arbitration? He's not getting less than $9 million as an arbitration award. He just put up 104 points.

More money than his qualifying offer. Straight to unrestricted free agency.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Moneyhands23

Exactly...unfortunately trading him know is so much harder as so many teams that would want him have no cap space.

Who in a position to compete has 9 mil plus to spend.

Well they are likely sending multiple things back

[1_Flames_Fan]

Flames need to play some hardball with Chucky while they still hold any leverage. Make him a very good long term 8 year offer and a firm date to sign or complete negotiations in the near future. If he refuses to sign or negotiate let the entire league know you are open for business on him and take the best offer. This happens before the season starts.

[foshizzle11]

Originally Posted by 1_Flames_Fan

Flames need to play some hardball with Chucky while they still hold any leverage. Make him a very good long term 8 year offer and a firm date to sign or complete negotiations in the near future. If he refuses to sign or negotiate let the entire league know you are open for business on him and take the best offer. This happens before the season starts.

100% this, run this team as a business, gotta think of the big picture here.

[Flames1217]

I feel like Tkachuk will sign a 6 year 9-9.5 million dollar deal.

Mangiapane's agent is going to make this almost impossible and I figure he gets traded. His agent came out a few months ago saying that now is the time to go UFA as young as possible to maximize earnings.

Kylington is going easier than the two above I think. 7 years 4 million.

[Roof-Daddy]

As many have said, get this situation dealt with THIS summer.

Either he signs a long term deal, or you trade him for the best return you can get.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by Flames1217

I feel like Tkachuk will sign a 6 year 9-9.5 million dollar deal.

Mangiapane's agent is going to make this almost impossible and I figure he gets traded. His agent came out a few months ago saying that now is the time to go UFA as young as possible to maximize earnings.

Kylington is going easier than the two above I think. 7 years 4 million.

I agree with this. Bread is going to play hardball based on the season he just had but he strikes me as more Cheechoo/streaky and unsustainable for the money he is going to ask for. You commit big dollars to a player that drive the play, not for someone who can be a streaky scorer.

Tkachuk - who knows what he wants. Does he want out now that his team has lots a significant asset that made his line the best in hockey? Or will he show loyalty, take the Captaincy, and be more like his brother's attitude toward Ottawa?

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

lol why wouldn't Tkachuk elect for arbitration? He's not getting less than $9 million as an arbitration award. He just put up 104 points.

More money than his qualifying offer. Straight to unrestricted free agency.

Very good chance he falls back to being sub PPG on the Flames. This is his best shot at a high AAV