Francis: Gaudreau and Flames will start contract talks

[CroFlames]

Give the boy an 8x7m and be done with it. He clearly deserves to be highly paid, and in exchange, the Flames lock up a star player for 8 more years.

Tarasenko & Hall are the best comparables. I think Johnny is a little more skilled (and smarter than Hall) but both those players are a lot bigger than Johnny so they can use their big body in such a way that Johnny can't, which is fine.

I think when you throw all those variables into the blender, you'll come out with $7 million being the fair value for the player.

[Imported_Aussie]

Tarasenko is a good comparable
Had more goals vs assists in his points totals, but was also PPG in last year of ELC
had 2.5 seasons prior vs 1, but Gaudreau produced more in the year before contract year
If my math is right, Tarasenko hits UFA one year earlier than Gaudreau

Based on the above - amount of goals and more UFA years being bought, I don't think Gaudreau should get the same amount (7.5M x 8) but an 8 year deal that comes in a little lower makes sense.

[Vinny01]

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.

The kid has been a stud everywhere he has played. The questions about his size occurred until he showed he can play in the league. Seasons of 64pts and page for 81pts is worth a huge contract and not worried about it at all

[N-E-B]

I'm not too familiar with the rules of contracts, so question, would it be possible to sign him to a lower AAV but give him some ridiculous signing bonus? For example 6mil AAV with 2mil/year signing bonus instead of 8mil AAV?

[getbak]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

I'm not too familiar with the rules of contracts, so question, would it be possible to sign him to a lower AAV but give him some ridiculous signing bonus? For example 6mil AAV with 2mil/year signing bonus instead of 8mil AAV?

Signing bonuses are included in the AAV, so it doesn't really matter how you structure it, the cap hit is the same.

[GranteedEV]

At the start of the year I thought Tarasenko was a good comparable, but now I'm not so sure because with the cap potentially going down by about 5-6%, a Tarasenko comparable would also go down by an equivalent percent (so around 7.1M/8Y instead of 7.5)

7M / 8Y would be just dandy, and if Treliving can get it down to 6.75M a la Gio it'd be amazing.

Bridge Monahan, 2Y / 4.5M and then re-evaluate to see if he can take that next step.

[DJones]

Even if the cap goes down 5%, the NHLPA will hit the escalator button and it will cancel eachother out.

[JohnnyT]

Originally Posted by DJones

Even if the cap goes down 5%, the NHLPA will hit the escalator button and it will cancel eachother out.

Yeah that article didn't take the escalator into account, cap will go down a couple hundrered thousand at the most

[Kiran403]

I think we need to lock him up long term. A bridge contract is risky because he has the potential to be a huge star because he is American. There are many major American markets that would love to have him and it would be beneficial for him in terms of endorsements, exposure, etc. Imagine if he goes and plays for Team USA in the Olympics and pulls off some hero-stuff at the games while he's under a bridge contract? Not only will the Flames have to put up huge dough, they will have to deal with a ton of competition to sign him.

[Gaudfather]

I would argue that Johnny is more important to the Flames, than Tarasenko is to the Blues. He is definitely worth Tarasenko money - sign the kid for max term and get it done.

[Locke]

I like this part:

Either way, Gaudreau downplays the visit, pointing out he has some appearances to make for Pizza 73 is Gross is here to help him with. And while Gaudreau’s focus is squarely on hockey, there’s little doubt he’ll have time to discuss his thoughts on the potential deal.

[hockey.modern]

@RogMillions:

Johnny Gaudreau admitted agent Lewis Gross and Flames are talking about contract extension. Gaudreau says he could spend his career here.

[Otto-matic]

Jermain Franklin ‏@TSNJFranklin 1m1 minute ago Calgary, Alberta
Johnny Gaudreau on Flames fans "I could play the rest of my career here the way they support us" Easy young fella, #Flames take note

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Johnny doesn't strike me as the type to say something like that if he doesn't mean it. He could've just as easily have been non-committal about his future here.

I'd be interested to know the context of those remarks. Was he asked a direct question or was it something else?

[Ashasx]

[polak]

Johnny Franchise.

[jg13]

8 years please Johnny.

[MissTeeks]

He damn well better. I'd hate to add his jersey to my Phaneuf and Baertschi ones.

[jg13]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/video/gaudreau...er-here~812597

[Sylvanfan]

I really think the Flames will regret not trading him while his value was high. He'll never be worth more on the trade market than he is right now.

As a fan boy GM this is when you trade him because the goal is to always have lots of assets so you can threaten everyone else with how awesome your team will be in two years, but never actually have a good team.


Good to hear, wasn't that long ago when you knew any good player on the team would be skipping town by the time they turned 26 because ownership couldn't afford good players anymore.