Francis: Gaudreau and Flames will start contract talks

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by codynw

The bridge deal is meant for players that haven't broken out yet when their ELC is up. Johnny is a point per game player, he's not getting a bridge.

Yes - the benefit of the bridge deal is when you aren't sure on a player. A guy who's already top 10 in scoring doesn't need a bridge deal. You know what you're getting.

[JJ1532]

Yep, you go to Gaudreau's agent with a bridge deal and he likely laughs at you before telling you to come back with a serious offer.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

The bridge deal makes more sense to me

You want the Flames to be in the situation where they have to pay Gaudreau 10m+ in 2-3 years?

[Vinny01]

What message does it send when you trade for and sign a RFA like Dougie to a long term deal but you won't sign your 1st line winger, Calder nominated, ppg player a year later? The precedent was set with Dougie so no bridge for Johnny and likely no bridge for Monahan either

[Knut]

MarkGio is just a contrarian in every single thread.

A Taransenko dollar value and term would be perfect

[MarkGio]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

You want the Flames to be in the situation where they have to pay Gaudreau 10m+ in 2-3 years?

I look at it like retaining talent and when he becomes an expiring, unrestricted free agency

Scenario 1
1st contract
2016-17 -- 4 million (23yro)
2017-18 -- 4.5 million (24yro)
2018-19 -- 5 million (25yro)
2019-20 -- 6 million (26 yro)

2nd Contract
2020-21 -- 8 million (27yro)
2021-22 -- 8.5 million (28yro)
2022-23 -- 9 million (29yro)
2023-24 -- 9.5 million (30yro)
2024-25 -- 10 million (31yro)
2025-26 -- 10 million (32yro)
2026-27 -- 10 million (33ro)
2027-28 -- 10 million (34yro)

This scenario allows Gaudreau to be eligible for unrestricted free agency at 34 years old.

Scenario 2
1st contract
2016-17 -- 4 million (23yro)
2017-18 -- 4.5 million (24yro)
2018-19 -- 5 million (25yro)
2019-20 -- 6 million (26 yro)
2020-21 -- 8 million (27 yro)
2021-22 -- 8.5 million (28yro)
2022-23 -- 9 million (29yro)
2023-24 -- 9.5 million (30yro)

This allows Gaudreau to enter unrestricted free agency at 30 yrs old.

[MarkGio]

Originally Posted by Hesla

MarkGio is just a contrarian in every single thread.

A Taransenko dollar value and term would be perfect

Brian Burke said they like the bridge contract just a few days ago?!?

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

Brian Burke said they like the bridge contract just a few days ago?!?

Maybe he does but not for your franchise forward.

[MarkGio]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Maybe he does but not for your franchise forward.

How do you know? If he recently said that he likes bridge contracts (knowing who's contracts are about to expire) then logically that narrative is more likely to apply to the current situation than the speculation that the current situation is the exemption

[codynw]

Brian Burke isn't the GM.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

How do you know? If he recently said that he likes bridge contracts (knowing who's contracts are about to expire) then logically that narrative is more likely to apply to the current situation than the speculation that the current situation is the exemption

Bridge contracts for proven, elite players are not a smart idea IMO. Ask Montreal how that strategy is working out with PK Subban. I'm sure Bergevin would go back in time and sign Subban for 8 years if he could. They could've had Subban for 6m AAV instead of 9m AAV. That's huge. It doesn't matter that they get couple extra years at the end because Subban will be in his mid 30s and Montreal didn't take advantage of the savings on the bridge deal anyway.

[Go_Flames4ever]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

I look at it like retaining talent and when he becomes an expiring, unrestricted free agency

Scenario 1
1st contract
2016-17 -- 4 million (23yro)
2017-18 -- 4.5 million (24yro)
2018-19 -- 5 million (25yro)
2019-20 -- 6 million (26 yro)

2nd Contract
2020-21 -- 8 million (27yro)
2021-22 -- 8.5 million (28yro)
2022-23 -- 9 million (29yro)
2023-24 -- 9.5 million (30yro)
2024-25 -- 10 million (31yro)
2025-26 -- 10 million (32yro)
2026-27 -- 10 million (33ro)
2027-28 -- 10 million (34yro)

This scenario allows Gaudreau to be eligible for unrestricted free agency at 34 years old.

Scenario 2
1st contract
2016-17 -- 4 million (23yro)
2017-18 -- 4.5 million (24yro)
2018-19 -- 5 million (25yro)
2019-20 -- 6 million (26 yro)
2020-21 -- 8 million (27 yro)
2021-22 -- 8.5 million (28yro)
2022-23 -- 9 million (29yro)
2023-24 -- 9.5 million (30yro)

This allows Gaudreau to enter unrestricted free agency at 30 yrs old.

So in your first scenario Johnny would sign an 8-year deal 1 year away from free agency for an AAV of 9.375? Going by his current projection and how contracts are trending irregardless of the cap, I would think he would have leverage to not sign that 8-year deal then and wait for free agency for a bigger payday. He'll probably be looking at 10.5M+ by that time in the open market even though other teams would only be able to offer a 7-year contract. He could quite possibly just want another short term deal to hit free agency.

From the Flames' perspective an 8-year deal that takes him to 34 is much more of a risk than one that takes him to 30. I think it's hard to argue his most productive years will be before he turns 30. So why pay the monstrosity for that extra 4 years and take on more risk?

That's also not taking into account that offering a short term deal like that to your most dynamic and offensive player would probably be an insult to him, and may sour the relationship on future contract talks.

[BChockeyJunkie]

No chance at the 8 year.... 4 yr deal to open up unrestricted free agent at 27yr old. By then it will allow him to reevaluate his situation and make max $$ on his team of choice, which could be Calgary.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by BChockeyJunkie

No chance at the 8 year.... 4 yr deal to open up unrestricted free agent at 27yr old. By then it will allow him to reevaluate his situation and make max $$ on his team of choice, which could be Calgary.

Flames aren't going to do that.

"Okay John, here's a deal right to the door step of unrestricted free agency"

Nope.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Flames aren't going to do that.

"Okay John, here's a deal right to the door step of unrestricted free agency"

Nope.

Hopefully the Flames would have the class and courtesy to offer a reach-around.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

... 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.

Actually, that was quite a long time ago.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Actually, that was quite a long time ago.

Maybe to you....for me 16-17 years ago isn't that long.

And it wasnt until 2005 that the team was less worried about its budget. Not tht long ago.

[Gaudfather]

Johnny has so far demonstrated real loyalty to the Flames, and by all indications he likes playing here, particularly given all the fan support he sees.

I can't see why Flames management would want to even entertain the thought of screwing around with a bridge deal. Just get Johnny signed to a max term deal. He is only going to get better and better in the next two years!

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Actually, that was quite a long time ago.

Depends on how old you are I suppose