Friedman: Flames have begun extension talks with Gaudreau & Eichel speculation

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Imagine this:

singlyhandedly shutting Eric Francis up

"Look Johnny, if you sign it will make Eric look stupid. But it also helps our case for trading for Eichel, whom as you know, Eric said earlier was a complete pipe dream. So we want as much egg on his face as possible."

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by flamesgod

In the end, it was just Eric Francis’ master plan to get Gaudreau to sign. Berate and question Johnny’s character for a couple years. Causing Johnny to sign out of spite.

Eric Francis, Flames secret agent?

[868904]

There are only two negatives to staying in Calgary for Johnny:

1) Eric Francis, but there are just as bad media out East as there are here, ask Voracek. Unless Johnny wanted to play in Arizona or Florida where no one cares.

2) Far from home. Which you can't change.

There are negatives of playing at home too. If you struggle, it can make home very difficult for the player and the family. Especially Philly.

Flames are a good organization though and I think the Gaudreau's recognize this. Flames always consider what's best for the player even if it means a bit of a disadvantage for the team. They've let many players leave who wanted a chance elsewhere. By all accounts, they treat all the families very well. Only negative I've heard is they don't give out enough paraphernalia to the players and families (according to Stajan).

For Johnny, Calgary is a very good destination because he's grown up here and it is essentially another family. Maybe it's not for a UFA who's never played here but for Johnny, it is a second home.

So I could see him staying.

[GranteedEV]

Another incentive for Johnny to sign ASAP is simply that it's financially safe to do so. He has plateau'd offensively and an injury next year could cost him millions in AAV and term. Right now, whatever he signs should be pretty close to his value, and he has the health to extract a good UFA deal for himself. We've seen guys' value tank after deadline trades too, where they don't find a fit with their new ream. Does Johnny want to end up with Taylor Hall money?

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Another incentive for Johnny to sign ASAP is simply that it's financially safe to do so. He has plateau'd offensively and an injury next year could cost him millions in AAV and term. Right now, whatever he signs should be pretty close to his value, and he has the health to extract a good UFA deal for himself. We've seen guys' value tank after deadline trades too, where they don't find a fit with their new ream. Does Johnny want to end up with Taylor Hall money?

While this is undoubtedly a valid reason, I don't believe for a second that a single NHL player ever rationalises their way into a contract like this. These are the best of the best; the most elite players at their position in the world who have dominated the game at every level for a lifetime. Johnny Gaudreau is going to bet on himself every time instead of hedging his bets.

[Monahammer]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Another incentive for Johnny to sign ASAP is simply that it's financially safe to do so. He has plateau'd offensively and an injury next year could cost him millions in AAV and term. Right now, whatever he signs should be pretty close to his value, and he has the health to extract a good UFA deal for himself. We've seen guys' value tank after deadline trades too, where they don't find a fit with their new ream. Does Johnny want to end up with Taylor Hall money?

yes, I really hope the Hall contract has been firmly planted on the table in front of him to look at. And he has a Hart...

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

While this is undoubtedly a valid reason, I don't believe for a second that a single NHL player ever rationalises their way into a contract like this. These are the best of the best; the most elite players at their position in the world who have dominated the game at every level for a lifetime. Johnny Gaudreau is going to bet on himself every time instead of hedging his bets.

Absolutely.

If - IF - the issue is about seeing what next year brings vs this last, performance-wise, every professional athlete on the planet would bet on themselves having a better year, not a worse year.

Probably not a factor though, as both sides would already be discussing numbers based on expectation, not based on last season. And both sides would be assessing expectation higher than what we saw last season.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

yes, I really hope the Hall contract has been firmly planted on the table in front of him to look at. And he has a Hart...

And a slew of injuries along with one great year. The players are not comparable, Gaudreau is the better player.

[Niemo]

Screw Eichel. Offer sheet Elias Peterssen 7 years, 9.5MM and pay the 2 1st rounder, 1 2nd, 1 3rd.

[flamesgod]

Originally Posted by Niemo

Screw Eichel. Offer sheet Elias Peterssen 7 years, 9.5MM and pay the 2 1st rounder, 1 2nd, 1 3rd.

I’d definitely try that.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Niemo

Screw Eichel. Offer sheet Elias Peterssen 7 years, 9.5MM and pay the 2 1st rounder, 1 2nd, 1 3rd.

Keep the roster intact and add that #1 center everyone wants? Seems like a win. Even if you do this then move Gaudreau or Tkackuk for multiple marginally lesser assets, it would be a huge win. Can Vancouver match at that contract value?

[flamesgod]

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

Keep the roster intact and add that #1 center everyone wants? Seems like a win. Even if you do this then move Gaudreau or Tkackuk for multiple marginally lesser assets, it would be a huge win. Can Vancouver match at that contract value?

They definitely can. 20mil in cap space. If they do they’d be primed to lose Hughes though.

[the_only_turek_fan]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Another incentive for Johnny to sign ASAP is simply that it's financially safe to do so. He has plateau'd offensively and an injury next year could cost him millions in AAV and term. Right now, whatever he signs should be pretty close to his value, and he has the health to extract a good UFA deal for himself. We've seen guys' value tank after deadline trades too, where they don't find a fit with their new ream. Does Johnny want to end up with Taylor Hall money?

Calgary has the cap space to keep him for sure.

[Roof-Daddy]

For sure, offer sheet Pettersson.

I doubt they will though, they never went after Point or Barzal when they had the chance.

But yeah, I hope they do it. I doubt we'd get Pettersson, but at least it would make things a little dicier for the nucks.

[Niemo]

Vancouver has 20MM of cap space right now, but need to sign 4 forwards, 3 Dmen, and 1 backup goalie. If they match, the. They need to sign 7 players for 10MM…. Tough feat.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

For sure, offer sheet Pettersson.

I doubt they will though, they never went after Point or Barzal when they had the chance.

But yeah, I hope they do it. I doubt we'd get Pettersson, but at least it would make things a little dicier for the nucks.

Barzal, sure, but when Point was a pending RFA, the Flames were coming off a 107 point season, and PPG (or close) seasons from the top line (plus Backlund and Gio). The need for a top C wasn’t as acute. And Point had had a real increase in production - up just under 30 points, and it was a little uncertain if it was a one-off.

[Vinny01]

Flames could barely make their cap situation work when Point was a RFA so no chance at doing that then.

I would just laugh if the Flames offer sheeted Pettersson after last year signing so many of their ex players.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Niemo

Vancouver has 20MM of cap space right now, but need to sign 4 forwards, 3 Dmen, and 1 backup goalie. If they match, the. They need to sign 7 players for 10MM…. Tough feat.

including Hughes

and they have already shed all of their #### contracts in the OEL deal

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

including Hughes

and they have already shed all of their #### contracts in the OEL deal

Have they? Myers is still on the books; Schmidt's contract looks bad; and now they have added one of the worst deals in the entire League.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Have they? Myers is still on the books; Schmidt's contract looks bad; and now they have added one of the worst deals in the entire League.

I think what he means is they have no contracts to shed. I don’t think they can deal off any of those three contracts.