[Signing] Oilers sign Klefbom to 7 year extension ($4.167 mil AAV)

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

First off, you can't compare any team to Chicago anymore as they have two 10+ year back diving contracts in Keith and Hossa which enabled them to keep their entire core together longer than any future team will be able to.

I also don't think the Klefbom contract is a bad bet, I just don't get the need for offering it now. The guy still has a season left on his ELC and odds are great that he will score 30 or less points in the upcoming season.

If that's the case you could have signed him to the exact same contract after he'd had another season to prove his worth.

The Oilers took on unneccesary risk here and they didn't get a discount on the cap hit to compensate for that.

Ok, forget Keith and think Byfuglien.

Regardless, you need the savings on semi core guys. Cheap solid minutes. It's way tougher to do that with high picks as the expectation is part of what you're paying for.

Would Yakupov be getting $2.5 if he was a third round pick? No. Therefore, they have to gamble. Wait too long and the opportunity is gone.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Ok, forget Keith and think Byfuglien.

Regardless, you need the savings on semi core guys. Cheap solid minutes. It's way tougher to do that with high picks as the expectation is part of what you're paying for.

Would Yakupov be getting $2.5 if he was a third round pick? No. Therefore, they have to gamble. Wait too long and the opportunity is gone.

Nope. It's bad risk management.

You don't manage an organization by taking risks in hopes that it solves problems that you've created for yourself.

Pay guys what they're worth and no more. If you have too many good players (lol), you make decisions on who to keep and you roll the others out for futures and youth (that's how Byfuglien is relevant here).

The Oilers are going to be in cap trouble soon because they have drafted terribly and don't/won't have guys that can contribute on ELCs.

All they have is their 'stars'. And as a result, now they are throwing the dice.

That is not good management.

[Oil Stain]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Ok, forget Keith and think Byfuglien.

Regardless, you need the savings on semi core guys. Cheap solid minutes. It's way tougher to do that with high picks as the expectation is part of what you're paying for.

Would Yakupov be getting $2.5 if he was a third round pick? No. Therefore, they have to gamble. Wait too long and the opportunity is gone.

Yeah, that's absolutely true about the high picks. Their ELC's don't help with any savings.

I think the long term contracts 6X6s that are widely mocked here are turning out pretty well for the Oilers. You aren't signing a guy with Hall's track record to a contract today for only $6.

If the Oilers start doing better in the standings they will have the opportunity to bring in cheap, decent vets on one year deals as Chicago, LA, and Pittsburgh have to augment their core.

It'd be nice if they get lucky and hit on an impact player deep in the draft, but as a manager you can't count on that happening. The Flames for instance hit on two 4th rounders recently, but probably went 10+ years before without finding anything significant that deep in the draft. Which is the same for most teams.

[VERVE]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

First off, you can't compare any team to Chicago anymore as they have two 10+ year back diving contracts in Keith and Hossa which enabled them to keep their entire core together longer than any future team will be able to.

I also don't think the Klefbom contract is a bad bet, I just don't get the need for offering it now. The guy still has a season left on his ELC and odds are great that he will score 30 or less points in the upcoming season.

If that's the case you could have signed him to the exact same contract after he'd had another season to prove his worth.

The Oilers took on unneccesary risk here and they didn't get a discount on the cap hit to compensate for that.

Correct me if I am wrong but I believe Klefbom's 7 yr contract doesn't kick in until his ELC is over that is after the 2015-2016 season. He will only make about 832,000 this upcoming season then 3 million after that etc. The contract runs pass his UFA eligibility and essentially the Oilers signed him (as a UFA) for over 4 million and 5 million when he is 28 and 29 yrs of age. A bargain by today's standard and Klefbom is under team control until 30 and then available as UFA.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by VERVE

Correct me if I am wrong but I believe Klefbom's 7 yr contract doesn't kick in until his ELC is over that is after the 2015-2016 season. He will only make about 832,000 this upcoming season then 3 million after that etc. The contract runs pass his UFA eligibility and essentially the Oilers signed him (as a UFA) for over 4 million and 5 million when he is 28 and 29 yrs of age. A bargain by today's standard and Klefbom is under team control until 30 and then available as UFA.

You cannot sign an extension more than 1 year away I believe

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by VERVE

Correct me if I am wrong but I believe Klefbom's 7 yr contract doesn't kick in until his ELC is over that is after the 2015-2016 season. He will only make about 832,000 this upcoming season then 3 million after that etc. The contract runs pass his UFA eligibility and essentially the Oilers signed him (as a UFA) for over 4 million and 5 million when he is 28 and 29 yrs of age. A bargain by today's standard and Klefbom is under team control until 30 and then available as UFA.

Whoosh.

[VERVE]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

You cannot sign an extension more than 1 year away I believe

I think you are right. They can only sign him to a new contract as RFA by end of next season or an extension this summer (fall). So his 7 yr contract kicks in this year.

[VERVE]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Whoosh.

I stand corrected. His 7 yr contract starts this season. I was also trying to say the Oilers signed him over a longer term pass his UFA eligibility status at 27 yrs of age. He is under Oilers property until he is 29 (not 30). If they were to re-sign him (as a UFA) then, it would surely costs more than what he is currently signed for.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by VERVE

I stand corrected. His 7 yr contract starts this season. I was also trying to say the Oilers signed him over a longer term pass his UFA eligibility status at 27 yrs of age. He is under Oilers property until he is 29 (not 30). If they were to re-sign him (as a UFA) then, it would surely costs more than what he is currently signed for.

Will it? He's done nothing for you to suggest it's a sure thing

[Resolute 14]

Should have known that this thread would be full of Oiler fans begging for the validation of Flames fans.

[VERVE]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Will it? He's done nothing for you to suggest it's a sure thing

I guess they do see his upside and potential. Every signing has an element of risk be it injury or the player doesn't perform as projected. The salary may be higher than deserved in his first couple of years but they are banking he will be a number 2 or 3 dman, then it will be a bargain in his later years of contract. It is a good deal.

[VERVE]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Should have known that this thread would be full of Oiler fans begging for the validation of Flames fans.

Begging for validation? I don't see it. Is it not a discussion with varied opinions from interested sport fans.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by VERVE

I guess they do see his upside and potential. Every signing has an element of risk be it injury or the player doesn't perform as projected. The salary may be higher than deserved in his first couple of years but they are banking he will be a number 2 or 3 dman, then it will be a bargain in his later years of contract. It is a good deal.

Yes every signing has risk. The less you know about the player the bigger the risk. Having 23 points in a very small sample of 77 NHL games makes the risk quite big

[getbak]

Originally Posted by VERVE

I stand corrected. His 7 yr contract starts this season. I was also trying to say the Oilers signed him over a longer term pass his UFA eligibility status at 27 yrs of age. He is under Oilers property until he is 29 (not 30). If they were to re-sign him (as a UFA) then, it would surely costs more than what he is currently signed for.

No, you were right the first time. This new contract doesn't start until 2016. It covers 4 years of RFA status and 3 years of UFA.

That's the point those of who are questioning the timing of this deal are making: It's highly unlikely that Klefbom will have a season that will make people look back on this next summer and think that Chiarelli got a long-term bargain for the Oilers. It's most likely that we'll look back next summer and think that Chiarelli got a good deal, but one that could have been signed next June. There's also the chance that Klefbom won't have a great season and that this will look like an overpayment next summer.

It might be the right signing to make in June 2016 (although, I still don't like going longer than 4 years on most contracts). It's a completely unnecessary signing to make in September 2015.

[VERVE]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Yes revert signing has risk. The less you know about the player the bigger the risk. Having 23 points in a very small sample of 77 NHL games makes the risk quite big

Sure if one is only looking at numbers on a stat sheet. However, like any professional sports team, each have their many scouts providing tangible to intangible stats via skating, character, mental makeup, skill, talent, hockey IQ, leadership qualities, performance under pressure (poise) etc.
The Oilers have their own formula in gauging Klefbom and how he projects in a few years time and believed he is worth the calculated risk to sign long term.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by VERVE

Sure if one is only looking at numbers on a stat sheet. However, like any professional sports team, each have their many scouts providing tangible to intangible stats via skating, character, mental makeup, skill, talent, hockey IQ, leadership qualities, performance under pressure (poise) etc.
The Oilers have their own formula in gauging Klefbom and how he projects in a few years time and believed he is worth the calculated risk to sign long term.

Yes. Ever team has that and many make mistakes. The fact the Oilers have scouts and made this decision doesn't mean it's a "sure thing" he'll be a big ufa prize as you said. There's plenty of risk

[VERVE]

Originally Posted by getbak

No, you were right the first time. This new contract doesn't start until 2016. It covers 4 years of RFA status and 3 years of UFA.

That's the point those of who are questioning the timing of this deal are making: It's highly unlikely that Klefbom will have a season that will make people look back on this next summer and think that Chiarelli got a long-term bargain for the Oilers. It's most likely that we'll look back next summer and think that Chiarelli got a good deal, but one that could have been signed next June. There's also the chance that Klefbom won't have a great season and that this will look like an overpayment next summer.

It might be the right signing to make in June 2016 (although, I still don't like going longer than 4 years on most contracts). It's a completely unnecessary signing to make in September 2015.

Hindsight is 20/20 and now looking back at the signing of Hall, Eberle and maybe RNH to a 6X6 contract is giving too much too soon for unproven worth. Now, the question is did they under perform due to poor management (decision) and inadequate coaching support (?). Probably a combination of both. Looking at Klefbom's contract, 7 years under 5 million (and most of it is backend loaded) while going pass his UFA eligibility and with great potential to be top pairing, then it is a good deal and manageable risk to take.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by VERVE

Hindsight is 20/20 and now looking back at the signing of Hall, Eberle and maybe RNH to a 6X6 contract is giving too much too soon for unproven worth. Now, the question is did they under perform due to poor management (decision) and inadequate coaching support (?). Probably a combination of both. Looking at Klefbom's contract, 7 years under 5 million (and most of it is backend loaded) while going pass his UFA eligibility and with great potential to be top pairing, then it is a good deal and manageable risk to take.

Again when you are start using words like "potential" you are illustrating what is wrong with this contract.
He didn't earn it.
Paying for potential and hoping it works out.
It may in this case, but good luck running a franchise that way.

[VERVE]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Yes. Ever team has that and many make mistakes. The fact the Oilers have scouts and made this decision doesn't mean it's a "sure thing" he'll be a big ufa prize as you said. There's plenty of risk

Yes, it is a risk and it is not a sure thing that he will be a top pairing dman. I guess it is like a customer negotiating with an insurance company, both are trying to manage limited risk at a price they can swallow and a premium to charge. At the end of the day, the Oilers and Klefbom (plus agent) will have to come together and live with the deal each compromised on.

[VERVE]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Again when you are start using words like "potential" you are illustrating what is wrong with this contract.
He didn't earn it.
Paying for potential and hoping it works out.
It may in this case, but good luck running a franchise that way.

This contract is a little easier to swallow because it is not a huge jump for ex. to 4.5 million but starts at 3 million and goes up every 500k or similar. All this (as I was told by Getbak) starts 2016-2017. As discussed, the salary increase is not substantial making the risk manageable in the event Klefbom is a dud. I mean from his interviews, he comes across as a well grounded, coachable and well-liked young man with size and skill. I can live with this strategy of signing Klefbom long term hoping he becomes a bargain at his salary. GTG