Francis: Gaudreau and Flames will start contract talks

[Huntingwhale]

I thought building around a winger doesn't work in the NHL??

I kid. As long as Gaudreau has a solid supporting cast, we should be in good shape offensively for years to come. Would be a dream come true if we got him for 8 years at a ~7 mil cap hit. I honestly think it might even be a tad bit lower, as I think he'll give a 'hometown' discount of sorts.

[Mista_Incognito]

Originally Posted by browna

The agent coming into town to help with the Pizza 73 endorsement? Sure.

I am guessing JG stays here until UFA status, then he's moving closer to home.

Sadly I agree. Seems fishy one week after being benched.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by browna

The agent coming into town to help with the Pizza 73 endorsement? Sure.

I am guessing JG stays here until UFA status, then he's moving closer to home.

[saskflames69]

Remember when the great panic among Flames fans was whether or not Johnny would sign with the team out of college? Yeah, that was worth the stress.

He will be with us for many years to come. Relax guys.

[getbak]

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by browna

The agent coming into town to help with the Pizza 73 endorsement? Sure.

I am guessing JG stays here until UFA status, then he's moving closer to home.

I'm sure Brad's old man is fuming about JG endorsing Pizza 73.

[flamesfan1297]

Originally Posted by Rutuu

Everybody has to keep in perspective that Eric Francis doesn't add any insight ever. He's molded in the Trump style of human being. It's up to us to stop feeding him clicks so eventually he goes away.

With that said...Gaudreau contract talks should be a big deal. Who are the comparables? Tarasenko is a good starting point.

I just unfollowed Eric Francis on twitter because he is a complete joke.

[Monahan For Mayor]

Obviously.

[blender]

I want to preface by saying that I like Johnny Gaudreau tremendously as a player and I want him to retire a Flame.

But, might it not be in the Flames best interest to go with a bridge deal and not to pay upfront for UFA years?

If the Flames are contenders when the bridge expires which is as it should be if it goes to plan, and JG is a big part of it, he would have plenty of incentive to sign and a deal could be worked out then.

I know he's the real deal, but I am worried about the cap going down among other things like potentially setting a team salary structure too high.

It is interesting that the Flames seem to be of the same mind philosophically according to comments from the fan forum. I wonder if the put their money where their mouth is with Johnny Hockey?

[Rutuu]

Originally Posted by flamesfan1297

I just unfollowed Eric Francis on twitter because he is a complete joke.

That's honestly a start, because like Trump he talks about how many followers he has on Twitter like it's some kind of indicator of his journalistic importance.

There are plenty of posters on here that give us great analysis and quality opinions that we don't have to listen/follow/watch EF give us his 10 second thoughts while wearing a 3-piece suit. He's like the kid copying homework in homeroom. Think how much leg work an Elliot Friendman puts into a day in comparison. That guy deserves follows. Even local guys like Pinder and Boomer on the morning show...Lou...Kerr...it goes on.

Anyway...not to derail the thread because it's a worthy topic (not that posters care about my opinion as such).

[GoJetsGo]

On the very first page there's quotes from Johnny saying a contract is virtually so assured it's just something "to get out of the way"... and several people still start leaning toward a grim outlook.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by blender

I want to preface by saying that I like Johnny Gaudreau tremendously as a player and I want him to retire a Flame.

But, might it not be in the Flames best interest to go with a bridge deal and not to pay upfront for UFA years?

If the Flames are contenders when the bridge expires which is as it should be if it goes to plan, and JG is a big part of it, he would have plenty of incentive to sign and a deal could be worked out then.

I know he's the real deal, but I am worried about the cap going down among other things like potentially setting a team salary structure too high.

It is interesting that the Flames seem to be of the same mind philosophically according to comments from the fan forum. I wonder if the put their money where their mouth is with Johnny Hockey?

Do you really think the cap is going to go down consistently for the next eight years?

Bridge deals make sense when you are sure of the player. Gaudreau's not going to get cheaper. Why risk losing him in his prime if you can lock down eight years right now.

[blender]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

Do you really think the cap is going to go down consistently for the next eight years?

Bridge deals make sense when you are sure of the player. Gaudreau's not going to get cheaper. Why risk losing him in his prime if you can lock down eight years right now.

The cap might go down for a bit or more likely stay flat. The world economic picture looks pretty bleak and there's an argument that pro sports models are unsustainable.

That's not my main point, though. If Flames can get JG locked in at a very good price it might be for the best, and even if he signed to the Tarasenko deal like a lot of people suspect, I'd probably be OK with it.

The Flames need too be prudent, though. You wouldn't want JG signed for 8x8 and turns out Bennett is the better player (more valuable to the team).

The bridge deal buys the Flames time to see how the rest of the rebuilt roster shakes down and for that reason it has value for management.

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by browna

The agent coming into town to help with the Pizza 73 endorsement? Sure.

I am guessing JG stays here until UFA status, then he's moving closer to home.

Flames took a chance on Gaudreau when other teams wouldn't, and as far as we know they have treated him well. There has been no indication from Gaudreau that he wants to be closer to home, so why would you think that?

My guess is he likes the direction of the team and wants to stay here long term.

[Geeoff]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

Wasn't it reported from the season ticket holder's meeting that the Flames like the bridge contract?

Gaudreau is already a star, so his "bridge" deal would just be a shorter term at 1st line player dollars.

Johnny might want to sacrifice AAV for term. He would not be out of line to ask for $8-9 million on a 2 year deal as opposed to something more manageable if we go 8 years.

[blender]

Originally Posted by Geeoff

Gaudreau is already a star, so his "bridge" deal would just be a shorter term at 1st line player dollars.

Exactly

[Vinny01]

I feel the Flames set a precedent when they gave Dougie 6 years at top pair money. You can't give a RFA from another team a big money long term deal and then force your homegrown stars into accepting a bridge contract. Once Dougie got the 6 years all Monahan and Gaudreau had to do was maintain or improve over last year and they will also get big money long term deals.

I am also of the opinion that we need to sign Johnny for 8 years. If we only go 6 and he hits UFA at 28/29 then I worry he will bolt to the Northeast USA for more money or the Flames grossly overpay him in a contract that is past 35. I might just be paranoid but it is going to be tough to compete with the Rangers, Bruins, or Flyers when Johnny hits UFA age. Better travel, and closer to family.

[polak]

Man, giving out a crazy contract after a couple strong seasons seems super risky. I know letting him become a UFA earlier is also super risky too. I guess all we can do is suck it up and hope for the best.

[blender]

Originally Posted by polak

Man, giving out a crazy contract after a couple strong seasons seems super risky. I know letting him become a UFA earlier is also super risky too. I guess all we can do is suck it up and hope for the best.

There is always risk. It just needs to be managed.
I trust the Flames management to do the right thing.

[Stud_McCool]

Give him all the things!