[Rumour] Kylington to test free agency

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

As dumb as this sounds, I wonder how much of this is the player himself trying to figure out his value. Pretty unique situation heading into UFA. Maybe no other way to find out if you are leaving money on the table then testing the market. And depending on valuation, picking a location where you think you’ll set your self up for a better pay day next year if you don’t like what you find out and go 1 year and bet on yourself.

There’s a lot to this. I think the Flames have made a reasonable offer in their minds. He wants to see if it is or not.

I think he’s an almost impossible talent to evaluate right now. He’s shown flashes, and he has holes in his game, but overall, just not enough of a track record to say what his future looks like.

[iggyloob12]

Kylington was sick and couldn’t play. If a player blows out a knee and is on the IR for a year, do they owe it to the team to re-sign to show their “loyalty?” No, that would be absurd. These are multi-million contracts and both parties have to do what works for them.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by BigThief

Oh shut up. It's a contract negotiation, they couldn't agree to one[yet]. Get over it

How about you get over yourself?


Others have different opinions/expectations from a guy who was just paid millions of dollars to not work for his paychecks and getting support where ever needed.. What's wrong with that?

It's a perfectly understandable position even if it isn't yours.

[Owen15]

Honestly, I was fairly certain this is where things were going. OK said a few times in a veiled way “you know where my loyalty lies” but deep down I was thinking why would he sign here? This is probably the last place I’d sign if I had other options in the current situation. Careers in the NHL are not very reliable. And god knows we are heading into a couple of tough years here.

I like OK. Hope whatever happens it’s good for him. Maybe Flames too. Who knows.

[dustygoon]

I know how some feel, but this team stood by him in an unprecedented circumstance. He likely would not have had that kind of support from some other teams.

But what is the right price? I do think it makes sense for him to test the waters to discover the market. This is life changing money maybe.

And then he should give Calgary right of first refusal if he likes it here.

[browna]

Yeah Kylington has to make sure his agent is getting proper information about market conditions. And the Flames also aren't going to overpay for a player that has a lot more development ahead to reach his ceiling.

Regardless of what happens, the Flames as an organization properly took care of his situation for almost 2 years and that doesn't go unnoticed by agents, players and other teams around the league.

[BigThief]

Originally Posted by transplant99

It's a perfectly understandable position even if it isn't yours.

It isn't, it's childish. The Flames did right by Kylington, that doesn't mean he owes them one.

[Jiggy_12]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

How do you know they didn't?

I certainly don’t.

But I can infer they likely didn’t, by the fact that he wasn’t traded like the other pending UFA’s.

By not trading Kylington that likely tells me they either thought that signing him was a forgone conclusion, or they didn’t care if they lost him for nothing. My guess is it’s the former.

[Ferarri]

Originally Posted by Owen15

Honestly, I was fairly certain this is where things were going. OK said a few times in a veiled way “you know where my loyalty lies” but deep down I was thinking why would he sign here? This is probably the last place I’d sign if I had other options in the current situation. Careers in the NHL are not very reliable. And god knows we are heading into a couple of tough years here.

I like OK. Hope whatever happens it’s good for him. Maybe Flames too. Who knows.

I don’t necessarily agree. This isn’t a player who is nearing the end of a long career with aspirations of getting a Stanley Cup. If anything, I would say this is his best bet of getting more playing time on a sub par team. The opportunity is certainly there for him and he doesn’t have much leverage since he’s been away for so long. It’s pretty much a guaranteed roster spot with very little competition. He can certainly test the market but Calgary gives him a ton of opportunity given the state of the current roster.

If he can find a better situation that gives him a longer term then all the best to him but I don’t see many GM’s wanting to take a risk on a guy would could potentially go on leave again given his mental health status. I hope other franchises would extend the same support the Flames did, but they also need to be mindful of his health status prior to committing long term.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by BigThief

It isn't, it's childish. The Flames did right by Kylington, that doesn't mean he owes them one.

He doesn’t have to sign with them if he doesn’t want to, but enough with the “he doesn’t owe them anything” bull####. What they did gave him a chance to continue his career. He’s been clear on how touch and go it was and how important their role was in his recovery.

There is nothing childish in expecting some good will for the group that gave you a second chance at earning millions of dollars playing a game. We should all be so lucky. Most of us just get turfed in the same situation.

Yes, he owes them something, even if it’s just a healthy dose of consideration.

[Owen15]

Originally Posted by Ferarri

I don’t necessarily agree. This isn’t a player who is nearing the end of a long career with aspirations of getting a Stanley Cup. If anything, I would say this is his best bet of getting more playing time on a sub par team. The opportunity is certainly there for him and he doesn’t have much leverage since he’s been away for so long. It’s pretty much a guaranteed roster spot with very little competition. He can certainly test the market but Calgary gives him a ton of opportunity given the state of the current roster.

If he can find a better situation that gives him a longer term then all the best to him but I don’t see many GM’s wanting to take a risk on a guy would could potentially go on leave again given his mental health status. I hope other franchises would extend the same support the Flames did, but they also need to be mindful of his health status prior to committing long term.

I was kind of coming at it from a thought that Calgary will be a stressful situation for a couple years. Canadian fan base. Rebuild.

[Sainters7]

Originally Posted by bigthief

oh shut up. It's a contract negotiation, they couldn't agree to one[yet]. Get over it

lol

[Sainters7]

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

EDIT:nm

I'll walk it back a bit in the sense I won't boo him...but I completely disagree with his decision and I'll leave it at that.

[taxbuster]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Gotta admit, not impressed if he walks.

His right for sure, but a bit of a slap in the face.

At the same time, while he's a decent player, I don't think losing him will be that big of a deal if he signs elsewhere.

Kind of my initial take. When I read the tweet I thought it crappy of him. Here's a team that actually does the right thing by the guy...pays him $2.5 million to get his head in order (assume and I think the salary is right...but the principle stands regardless)...and the loyalty is....nowhere to be found.


Disappointing to me.

[howard_the_duck]

We do not have even close to all of the information in what is a very complex situation. Anyone judging him or the Flames too harshly should keep that in mind.

[Circa89]

I was just going to post disappointing.
Really is disappointing all things considered that the almighty dollar wins again

[Jiggy_12]

I do think that given all that’s been said, it’s really important that we all acknowledge this is just a rumour at this point.

I am going to withhold any judgement either way until we see what actually happens. I’d hate for rumours to sewer what is seemingly an excellent player-team relationship

[Icon]

Originally Posted by Circa89

I was just going to post disappointing.
Really is disappointing all things considered that the almighty dollar wins again

We have close to zero information beyond they didn't agree on a deal.

Flames maybe only offering 1-3yrs. Kylington could be looking for 5yr+. That could be more impactful than the dollar amount.

Who knows.

[BigThief]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Yes, he owes them something, even if it’s just a healthy dose of consideration.

Do we know he didn't give them that? The contract negotiation could be simply over term. He wants more the Flames want less. The entitlement here is a liitle loopy

[howard_the_duck]

Mental health is obviously complex, but I think people should also keep in mind it’s an over used term (especially in hockey circles - look at the Dube example). Kylington was away for a long time. It’s obviously a highly complex issue that the team and player have been very careful and quiet about. Who knows what of his circumstances will impact his free agency, where he wants to be, what is impacting his personal wellbeing. Despite how the Flames have handled it with class, it might just not be enough. And if it’s not, it doesn’t necessarily mean the almighty dollar won out. It might just not work for him.