Matthew Tkachuk & Johnny Gaudreau Signing Watch Thread

[Leeman4Gilmour]

Also, wouldn't Gaudreau (or anyone) want more money past the next couple of years to avoid the high escrow at the moment? Or is that not a thing anymore?

Nevermind...he can avoid escrow with signing bonuses it appears;

Per the MOU, signing bonuses and player performance bonuses are not included when calculating escrow which is presently set at 20 percent of a player's salary before taxes for the upcoming season.

[Jason14h]

Originally Posted by Leeman4Gilmour

Also, wouldn't Gaudreau (or anyone) want more money past the next couple of years to avoid the high escrow at the moment? Or is that not a thing anymore?

Nevermind...he can avoid escrow with signing bonuses it appears;

Can someone explain this - How/Why Signing bonuses arent part of escrow? Seems like a loophole/issue? Is there a logical reason

[Icantwhisper]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

I think $68M/8 would be the cheapest you could maybe get him locked up for at this point. If the number was around or below $8M then I think it would be done already.

If I'm the Flames I offer $68M/8 with the following structure:

$11M, $11M, $10M, $10M, $8M, $6M, $6M, $6M

That's $8.5M AAV and even that probably is a little low. The attraction is it's $42M over the next 4 years but he will probably want a little more than $6M those last three seasons.

He'd probably want more like $11M, $11M, $10M, $10M, $8M, $8M, $8M, $6M which is $72M/8 and a $9M per season AAV. And if I'm the Flames I'm still comfortable with that too.

I think his contract is in the 74-80 range if it's 8 years, he's the best talent available next year that you could sign to an 8 year deal.
Malkin and Giroux are much older, Trochek is comparable but I think Gaudreau has more value.
The Flames and Gaudreau can have the best intentions but this is a business for both sides. We sometimes think players are as passionate about the teams as we are, they aren't, it's a business and they know the team will always do what's best for the team. JG will do what's best for him, not the Flames, he's finally a UFA, I don't see him passing on seeing what the market has to offer by signing wth the Flames before July 1.
There might very well be a team out there that will offer 10AVV

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Bingo

For me yeah I wouldn't do it.

Maybe $10m but I'd still be worried.

But this isn't an anti-Gaudreau thing at all ... love the player. Honestly the only thing that I've ever disliked about his was his showing up refs for slashes but he's completely cleaned that up.

And now becoming a 200 foot player and reinventing himself? It's what the team really needed.

I wouldn't do 8 x 11 either. You can't win paying Gaudreau that much money. And I'm not sure about going to 10, but I probably would do it especially if I was confident that Darryl would coach past next year.

I think there are some fans that don't have a walk away price for Gaudreau and would pay him anything vs. losing him for nothing

It's interesting to debate, meanwhile we don't even know if they are negotiating. Or maybe Gaudreau wants to see signs of a winning team and it's not about the $'s. Who knows.

[ResAlien]

It is always about the money

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

Blake Coleman says hi

For sure his deal looks like garbage right now as well. Backlund not earning his keep.

Who would have thought Lucic would not be a bottom 3 contract on this team?

[Badgers Nose]

I’d hate to see him walk for nothing, especially now that he is skating his bag off for this team at both ends of the ice, but he has earned whatever he gets in UFA and I can’t fault him for wanting to know what that number is.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

For sure his deal looks like garbage right now as well. Backlund not earning his keep.

Who would have thought Lucic would not be a bottom 3 contract on this team?

Me for one. I expect that if all 4 players were put on waivers today, only Lucic and Monny would go unclaimed.

[Moneyhands23]

This whole Johnny not being signed is nuts. It's just becoming more and more obvious how much they need him.

[the_only_turek_fan]

I am old enough to remember a significant number of posters on this board demanding a shakeup to the core.

What changed?

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

I am old enough to remember a significant number of posters on this board demanding a shakeup to the core.

What changed?

The shake up needed was Monahan out. But he seems untradable at this point

[Flamesfan05]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

Me for one. I expect that if all 4 players were put on waivers today, only Lucic and Monny would go unclaimed.

Nobody has the cap to claim underperforming 5M players. I doubt anybody would claim backlund also. 50/50 with Coleman . Treliving overbid to get him and he has been underperforming

[Jason14h]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

I am old enough to remember a significant number of posters on this board demanding a shakeup to the core.

What changed?

Gio and Monny are essentially out

The top line without Monny is playing 200 ft hockey.

That was the shakeup IMO

[Flamesfan05]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

I am old enough to remember a significant number of posters on this board demanding a shakeup to the core.

What changed?

Team winning?

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

Gio and Monny are essentially out

The top line without Monny is playing 200 ft hockey.

That was the shakeup IMO

Unfortunately the team really needs that 6.5 million to add a top talent 2nd line right shot winger.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

I think $68M/8 would be the cheapest you could maybe get him locked up for at this point. If the number was around or below $8M then I think it would be done already.

If I'm the Flames I offer $68M/8 with the following structure:

$11M, $11M, $10M, $10M, $8M, $6M, $6M, $6M

That's $8.5M AAV and even that probably is a little low. The attraction is it's $42M over the next 4 years but he will probably want a little more than $6M those last three seasons.

He'd probably want more like $11M, $11M, $10M, $10M, $8M, $8M, $8M, $6M which is $72M/8 and a $9M per season AAV. And if I'm the Flames I'm still comfortable with that too.

I think $72M would be a great deal, and fair to both parties. My thought was that he'd sign for somewhere between $70-$80M deal over 8 years here. And if it's closer to $10M/year, it wouldn't break my heart. He's a great player.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

I think $72M would be a great deal, and fair to both parties. My thought was that he'd sign for somewhere between $70-$80M deal over 8 years here. And if it's closer to $10M/year, it wouldn't break my heart. He's a great player.

Who says that Johnny wants a deal that is "fair to Calgary"? He has all the leverage and can basically ask for a blank cheque to sign prior to UFA.

I have to think that if he would ink that deal today, it would be done already.

[talladega.25]

That is the unsettling part. 13 has been our best forward production wise and dictates the offensive play for this team. It is now January with no deal being done. The closer he gets to Free agency, I think it just amps of the percentage he tests that market and finds a home elsewhere. He is essentially auditioning every game he plays, and this year he gets to audition in every NHL market. You'd have to assume that Brad has already offered him a contract and 13 seems pretty content busting his butt every game to field calls come the off-season. If I were him, Id walk to free agency, he will be one of the most sought after free agents in a decade (maybe more) and will get paid handsomely.

[Major Major]

Originally Posted by talladega.25

That is the unsettling part. 13 has been our best forward production wise and dictates the offensive play for this team. It is now January with no deal being done. The closer he gets to Free agency, I think it just amps of the percentage he tests that market and finds a home elsewhere. He is essentially auditioning every game he plays, and this year he gets to audition in every NHL market. You'd have to assume that Brad has already offered him a contract and 13 seems pretty content busting his butt every game to field calls come the off-season. If I were him, Id walk to free agency, he will be one of the most sought after free agents in a decade (maybe more) and will get paid handsomely.

It all just depends what he wants, which we have very little window into. I think the good news is, he is playing well. Best he's ever played. That makes this easier, not harder. What would the conversation be like if the flames were 1 point out of a wildcard spot and Johnny had 25 points?

If he wants the absolute most money and is looking for a bidding war, that sucks for Calgary, but the fact is we probably still could be that team.

If he wants desperately to go back to the East coast. Ok, he'll get there.

But if he wants a combination of money, fit, contending team, place that feels like home. Guess what, Calgary is on top. I don't look at Johnny and see someone who isn't enjoying his time here. I think he really likes and appreciates this city and organization.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

I am old enough to remember a significant number of posters on this board demanding a shakeup to the core.

What changed?

Losing a player for nothing is not a shake up, it's the team just getting weaker.