I think something worth mentioning might be that while I do think the contract is stupid, I doubt very much the Oilers have much choice in the matter. The Oilers have been poorly managed for years, and they have also been TERRIBLE for years. The only thing management has been able to do is sell fans on these 3 guys as the "light at the end of the tunnel."
In that sense, what choice did they have in signing all of these guys long term right away? You'd almost embarrass yourself even more than they already have by saying "Hold up, we're not sure he's even worth that much, let's just wait and see"
After selling RNH the way they have, they almost forced themselves into that contract.
^^ The long term contract was inevitable. I think the problem is that it wasn't necessary this year. They had all of next off season to get it signed, which is why I think it is more of a PR stunt.
^^ The long term contract was inevitable. I think the problem is that it wasn't necessary this year. They had all of next off season to get it signed, which is why I think it is more of a PR stunt.
Nah. Because it was inevitable it made sense to sign the contract now.
How bad would RNH have to be this season for them not to give him this contract in July? Pretty horrible.
On the other hand if he comes out and puts up 90 points they may have controversy in July when he wants more then 6-million.
The value wasn't going down. No point in risking it going up. Plus signing now shows a commitment to their players that will help them sign the next guy.
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On the other hand if he comes out and puts up 90 points they may have controversy in July when he wants more then 6-million.
You do realize last time there was a full season only 3 players put up 90 or more points and only 9 put up 80 or more. I'd say it's far more likely that he has a bad season or gets hurt again.
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You do realize last time there was a full season only 3 players put up 90 or more points and only 9 put up 80 or more. I'd say it's far more likely that he has a bad season or gets hurt again.
Edmonton Oiler players don't get hurt, they are a special breed that can play through any type of injury.
Just ask the Oiler team doctor.
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You do realize last time there was a full season only 3 players put up 90 or more points and only 9 put up 80 or more. I'd say it's far more likely that he has a bad season or gets hurt again.
The more I think about this deal and the law of averages, the better I think it is. We will be looking at these type of contracts if we are lucky in 4-5 years. They are offering a good rate for performance/expectation blended amongst some of the most skilled players. It's not an OVI deal or a franchise deal. It's a team deal, so that is why the price is the same among the fellowship. Not an Oilers fan, but you can't do it any other way.
The people not on the principle of the deal will be traded for key assets eventually.
[Edit]
Also, I remember Iginla describing how great the team/lockers/lunch room was in comparison to Calgary. I think we need to be more appealing from that end as well. Team.
Hall's contract is a steal. Eberle's is about what it should be. RNH's is not good. The kid was rushed into the NHL, hasn't had the chance to develop physically properly and is now struggling.
No doubt the kids skills are off the chart, but he has the build of a 16 year old still. His drop in PPG probably had less to do with his injuries than the fact that the coach decided to not shelter him anymore and he struggled against higher competition.
This kid probably deserved a bridge contract more than any of the three.
6 actually. Point is that top two picks tend to succeed. You are better off betting for them to succeed then to fail.
The contract is a gamble, but if you are going to gamble, you can't get much better odds then gambling on a 1st overall.
This seems to be the primary argument from Oiler fans in this thread - it is a good gamble because he is a #1 pick.
No one has come here and argued that RNH has actually earned this contract, simply that he is a #1 pick and therefore he deserves it, or it is good value as far as #1 picks go.
Awesome - keep it up.
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Oiler hater here. I can't kill them for this move, as it well may be a strategy for the future of the league, and the Flames more specifically. Tampa Bay Rays have executed a similar strategy, where they lock down young, somewhat unproven, but highly regarded players to long term deals with a slightly lower annual average. They figured that as a small market team, they would never attract the big name free agents (and they aren't worth the money anyway) and would risk losing their young guys, if they signed a more traditional bridge contract the second they became UFA.
Time will tell if they chose the right guys to sign.
The weird dynamic in these cases is "matching" the dollars. I can only assume Yak and Shultz will ask for the same dollars, whether justified or not.
6 actually. Point is that top two picks tend to succeed. You are better off betting for them to succeed then to fail.
The contract is a gamble, but if you are going to gamble, you can't get much better odds then gambling on a 1st overall.
No it's actually 5 (Malkin, Stamkos, Spezza, Kovalchuck, and Tavares are top two picks. Giroux,Kessel, Neal, H.Sedin are not). And you really think RNH can top 90 points like the poster that i quoted claimed? I'd take that bet any day.
I absolutely agree, this is a can't-miss strategy for the Oilers. Sign players to big money before they prove themselves, so they can't demand even bigger money later.
I mean, what could go wrong? It worked perfectly for the Flames with Phaneuf. . . .
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Hall's contract is a steal. Eberle's is about what it should be. RNH's is not good. The kid was rushed into the NHL, hasn't had the chance to develop physically properly and is now struggling.
No doubt the kids skills are off the chart, but he has the build of a 16 year old still. His drop in PPG probably had less to do with his injuries than the fact that the coach decided to not shelter him anymore and he struggled against higher competition.
This kid probably deserved a bridge contract more than any of the three.
How was he rushed into the NHL? The kid lead all rookies in his first year with 52 points.
Last year durring the lockout he was a point a game player in the AHL. Yes i know the AHL is not the NHL but considering half of CP was gushing over Backlunds stats in Europe during the lockout it should mean something. Anybody see him in the WJr's? He was the best player on the ice. Even with a bad year for him last year in the NHL he had over .5 a game.
If Monahan makes the Flames this year and puts up those kind of #'s you can bet that there will be no bridge contract that most are crying about. Considering it would be 2 years from now that Monahan could extend it could be more than $6 million if he plays as well as this guy.
Not to mention this kid is going to be a stud.
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By the time the second year of that contract kicks in the cap could be 75 million, and 6 million will be the going rate for any top line forward. Even if he's a 60 point center who is responsible in his own end, years 3-7 of that contract could be a serious steal. There is some risk with the shoulder injury, but this kid does have exceptional vision and skill. If he stays healthy, I think he can become one of the top 5-10 centers in the NHL, with the downside of being a top 20 guy. I'll make this gamble on a player like that any day.
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I absolutely agree, this is a can't-miss strategy for the Oilers. Sign players to big money before they prove themselves, so they can't demand even bigger money later.
I mean, what could go wrong? It worked perfectly for the Flames with Phaneuf. . . .
Except that the Flames allotted a much larger chunk of cap space to Phaneuf. 6 years ago 6.5 million was a huge cap number, next year 6 million is merely a big cap number.
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You do realize last time there was a full season only 3 players put up 90 or more points and only 9 put up 80 or more. I'd say it's far more likely that he has a bad season or gets hurt again.
Me thinks you are being a we bit literal and missing the point.
Players are signing ridiculous contracts that make a functional RNH worth a bunch. If he comes out and has a really good season it may have been tough to sign him for the amount.
Except that the Flames allotted a much larger chunk of cap space to Phaneuf. 6 years ago 6.5 million was a huge cap number, next year 6 million is merely a big cap number.
That's true, but not necessarily relevant. The Flames paid Phaneuf like a #1 defenceman, in the hope that he would live up to his contract. He didn't. The Oilers are merely paying RNH like a first-line forward — in the hope that he will live up to his contract. It could very easily go sour in the same way.
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