What pisses me off is this was a game of chicken. Old school negotiators are dumb as #### in my opinion. They've mutually sewered the teams ability to maneuver effectively.
The first offer wasn't enough.
*IF* ... and I stress the "if"...this was a legit counter-offer, the timing is such that if the Flames can find their way to agreement TODAY, they can have their cake and eat it too...at a price.
Signed deal (or at least close enough they know where they can meet) leaves Brad free to act at the Draft to look for deals etc.
IF TRUE....that shows that JG cares about the team as well, and wants success for the team as well as himself...albeit at a price that meets his needs slightly more than the Flames.
It might be the difference between happy Mangiapane and arbitration Mangiapane. Or keeping Kylington. Or signing a decent bottom pair D. The Flames are in a situation where they have to really penny pinch. They have two forward lines and a bottom pairing to sign just to form a basic roster, and then they need some aces as well.
Currently they have just under 27M in space. 11 gone and it's 26. 9 for Tkachuk just on QO and it's 17. 6 for Mangiapane and it's 11. Then you need to replace/re-sign Zadorov, Gudbranson, Stone, Jarnkrok, Lewis, Ritchie, Ruzicka. Treliving has to see if he can save any money, wherever he can.
All of which really pales in comparison to the difference between signing Gaudreau long term and letting him walk as a FA.
As I said, not opposed to the counter offer, they should make it. End of the day though, if the number that gets it done is 11, then it's 11. A bottom pairing is easier to solution than a franchise player.
Flames are definitely not in a position of strength in dealing with either of these 2 players. Should be interesting... I still like Chucky for Tarasenko of some sort if he is planning to walk anyways. Has to happen now to make sense
If the counter is in fact $11Mx8, do you call up Tkachuk's agent and say, "Johnny's asking for $11M, we want to counter at $10.5M along with extending your contract for another 3/5 years at $10M. Are you in?"
Super 16: Gaudreau tops unrestricted free agent power rankings
1. Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary Flames
Total points: 206
The 28-year-old forward was tied for second in the NHL in scoring this season with 115 points (40 goals, 75 assists) in the final season of his six-year contract. He had an NHL-best plus-64 rating. He was on arguably the best forward line in the League with Matthew Tkachuk (42 goals, 62 assists) and Elias Lindholm (42 goals, 40 assists). The Flames want to re-sign Gaudreau, who turns 29 on Aug. 13. He said he loves it in Calgary. No deal yet. Gaudreau will likely get the most lucrative contract of all the pending UFAs regardless of where he signs.
Super 16: Gaudreau tops unrestricted free agent power rankings
1. Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary Flames
Total points: 206
The 28-year-old forward was tied for second in the NHL in scoring this season with 115 points (40 goals, 75 assists) in the final season of his six-year contract. He had an NHL-best plus-64 rating. He was on arguably the best forward line in the League with Matthew Tkachuk (42 goals, 62 assists) and Elias Lindholm (42 goals, 40 assists). The Flames want to re-sign Gaudreau, who turns 29 on Aug. 13. He said he loves it in Calgary. No deal yet. Gaudreau will likely get the most lucrative contract of all the pending UFAs regardless of where he signs.
Johnny's pretty lucky he turned UFA after the pandemic seasons. He gambled on himself and didn't sign an extension last year, and it's paid off for him. Man is gonna get paid!
Maybe it's time to start throwing in perks like lifetime no-line privileges at the Ship and ONE FREE BEER PER VISIT, or a dedicated Skittle factory in the basement of the Saddledome. C'mon Tre, get creative!
If they came back with 11. This would be done by now IMO.
Thing is, at that number, Chucky would have to go.
I disagree.
The Flames would just have to dump other salary. Salary committed to lesser players.
You do what you have to do to keep elite talent.
Quote:
Originally Posted by FanIn80
Move Looch and Backlund, give the #2C reigns to Monny for his final contract year. That puts 10M in our pockets.
I don't think this is a bad idea. I also think both players you listed would be of interest to Pittsburgh, who was rumoured to be in talks for Lucic last year.
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