[Rumour] McKenzie: Gaudreau & Flames are closing gap, but it's still a considerable gap.

[Poe969]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Interesting, thanks. Really have a sinking feeling that the longer this goes the more time will pass.

That's ridiculous! If you look at the spotty past of the Flames contract hizgory, time essentially stands still during these talks. Just think about that one monday, or that time in June or the notorious Friday that we'll never forget.

Gaudreauvertime has made countless great examples, he's probably thinking of the future. When I think of him and his posts all I can think of is "see you next Tuesday".

[Saqe]

Holding out from training camp is one thing, missing games is another.

If the Flames are offering a $7M x 8 years and Gaudreau still holds out after the season starts I would be sad face. Then it would just seem to be more about money than getting a fair deal.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by Freeway

Aside: I don't think there's a Gio cap. There is a salary cap, and the Flames are right up on it.

I've always been skeptical of this so-called "Gio cap" as well. Treliving's too smart of a man to be so narrow minded.

[Looch City]

I hope after all is said and done, Johnny finds a new agent.

[Freeway]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

I've always been skeptical of this so-called "Gio cap" as well. Treliving's too smart of a man to be so narrow minded.

Some of his free agency moves beg to differ.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Saqe

Holding out from training camp is one thing, missing games is another.

He's not holding out... he doesn't have a contract. Drouin held out this past year, Nieuwendyk was a holdout in 95-96. Both had a contract and neither showed up to work, this isn't that.

[PepsiFree]

I woke up and read the last 10 hours of this thread while eating my breakfast.

Nothing like starting the day with cereal and boiling rage.

[OmegaV4]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

I woke up and read the last 10 hours of this thread while eating my breakfast.

Nothing like starting the day with cereal and boiling rage.

Instantly thought of this:

[BigFlameDog]

Originally Posted by JerryUnderscore

Well, it's good to see this conversation hasn't gone any better than others.

Here are the facts we know:

1. The Flames were initially asking around $6.4M.
2. Gaudreau's camp was initially asking $8M+
3. According to MacKenzie, both sides have conceded some, but the gap is still there.
4. Both sides continue to publicly state they want Gaudreau in Calgary long term (without directly defining "long term").

As for speculation:

1. Bob also mentioned that Gaudreau is hoping for Tarasenko money, which could mean they've come down to $7.5M
2. All the talking heads have eluded to the "Gio cap", which could mean that the Flames have come up to $6.75M.

If the two above assumptions are true, then the gap between the two sides is still about 750k. That's still a gap, but not too extreme. Furthermore, I'm not sure I would consider either offer ($6.75M & $7.5M) to be "insulting" even if they're both wide of the final amount.

This is why I, once again, land in the $7.25M/8 range. That still pays Gaudreau $58M over the next 8 years.

Far as I know #1 and 2 should be in the speculation pile....no one knows the values being bartered.

[flambers]

Now that the season is close, there is pressure on both sides...

GM has to be extremely careful with the salary offered....

Very tough position for the Flames.....

I personally would not be surprised to see the Flames start the season with Gaudreau still a holdout. As they may continue to hard line on the maximum salary they can offer.

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by Iggy City

I hope after all is said and done, Johnny finds a new agent.

Why? We won't have to deal with his agent again for 7 or 8 years.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Freeway

Some of his free agency moves beg to differ.

Me-ow

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Freeway

Aside: I don't think there's a Gio cap.

I think there is a Gio cap (at least so long as it suits them). I would hope that it's just a fake cap because otherwise it's really ####ing stupid.

I want to believe that there isn't but the way they structured Brodie's contract kind of makes it look like there is.

[Flash Walken]

I think the Flames blink first because there are other dominos waiting on Gaudreau to fall that impact the team significantly.

They need to know what salary they are dealing with before they can make any serious moves or sign Russell.

The longer Gaudreau is unsigned the harder it gets for Treliving to do the rest of his job.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

Why? We won't have to deal with his agent again for 7 or 8 years.

Because a lot of sports fans irrationally hate agents (especially ones that are good at their jobs, See: Boras, Scott).

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Originally Posted by Parallex

I think there is a Gio cap (at least so long as it suits them). I would hope that it's just a fake cap because otherwise it's really ####ing stupid.

I want to believe that there isn't but the way they structured Brodie's contract kind of makes it look like there is.

It was reported as Brodie's decision not to make more than Gio was making at the time. Isn't that where this Gio cap even came from in the first place?

Brodie is just a bro who still didn't know how good he is at the time.

[ClubFlames]

Johnny is going to be signed today. Mods cannot PM me for source.

[Flash Walken]

I think we should all PM Scorpion for source confirmation.

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by ClubFlames

Johnny is going to be signed today. Mods cannot PM me for source.

Can I send you a carrier pigeon for verification?

[ClubFlames]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

Can I send you a carrier pigeon for verification?

No pigeons. Send a raven.