What will Giordano's next contract be?

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

You only need to take a look at the Glencross discussions a 1-2 years back when we discussed his supposed team friendly contract and how he was in for a big raise when it expired. How would we feel today if the Flames prematurely gave him that big raise given he's kind of been exposed as being on the downturn? I don't think many would he happy if he was starting a new four year deal averaging $4 million/season. Things can change fast when a player is in his 30's.

Glencross isn't a Norris caliber defenseman. Do you really think that this team is going to let Gio walk into UFA? Not going to happen.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by saillias

Pinder presented an interesting idea of a 3 year deal at 8 mil cap hit. I'd imagine Gio would balk at that though, it's good for us but his agent would say, try 4 more years.

I've been thinking 4/$32 is good for both sides. Gio gets the prestige of being an 8 million dollar player. The Flames keep the term short.

Everybody wins.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Brick

If his contract is over 5 million, I hope that is only for 2 years or so with subsequent years under 5 million as he will then be over 35.

It may be worth trading him at some point while he still has value instead of waiting too long like they did with Iginla. (Unless he takes a sizeable home town discount after 35 to stay with the team. Otherwise, there should not be a no movement clause.)

uh, sorry to burst your bubble he will be way over 5

[Journey17]

I don't think that Gio takes a hometown discount but I think that they can add on years to drive down the AAV. Yes, Gio won't be a top pairing dmen in his late 30s but he could still be helpful as a veteran player.

[JohnnySkittles]

Anybody who thinks he'll make under 6 million is kidding themselves. Maybe a few years ago but the way contracts have been steadily increasing I am fully expecting anywhere from 7.5 to 8.5 million. Maybe 7M if he gives us a discount.

[Mister Yamoto]

Originally Posted by heep223

Glencross isn't a Norris caliber defenseman. Do you really think that this team is going to let Gio walk into UFA? Not going to happen.

No, Glencross isn't a Norris caliber defensman. But he is a player who most people said should not be given a big contract because he is in his 30's and injury prone.

Glencross has played 216 games in the last 4 years plus playoffs. Gio has played 233, no playoffs.

And what exactly is a Norris caliber defenceman? Someone who has won a Norris? Someone who has been a Norris nominee? Someone who has never been close to actually winning a Norris, but has received a few 4th and 5th place votes? Someone who could potentially win a Norris? I guess Giordano qualifies for the last 2 criteria.

Look at the list of the top 20 paid players. They have Stanley cup rings. Individual hardware. Olympic medals. Multiple All Star selections. Sure, there are a couple of names that really don't belong but for the most part, if you want to get on that list you need some hardware and ring. Giordano just doesn't have the resume.

The more I think about it, and read this thread, the more I think Erick Estrada is right. Giordano is an awesome player. Team MVP. But he is not irreplaceable. If the Flames can't get a deal done that makes sense, the best move is to let him go. I'd say that a deal that makes sense is a 5 year deal with an AAV that starts with the number 6.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Mister Yamoto

The more I think about it, and read this thread, the more I think Erick Estrada is right. Giordano is an awesome player. Team MVP. But he is not irreplaceable. If the Flames can't get a deal done that makes sense, the best move is to let him go. I'd say that a deal that makes sense is a 5 year deal with an AAV that starts with the number 6.

I don't agree that he's replaceable.

I do agree with your last comment though, 4-5 years with an AAV of $6.5M - $7.0M sounds about right to me. I also agree that "if the Flames can't get a deal done that makes sense, the best move is to let him go." If he's asking $10M or something that's obviously too much. But I really doubt he will.

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by Mister Yamoto

The more I think about it, and read this thread, the more I think Erick Estrada is right. Giordano is an awesome player. Team MVP. But he is not irreplaceable. If the Flames can't get a deal done that makes sense, the best move is to let him go. I'd say that a deal that makes sense is a 5 year deal with an AAV that starts with the number 6.

Name anyone who you could replace him with in the next year or so. If you manage to find a name that guy will probably be a 7-8M free agent. Hopefully we can get Gio locked up at 7M, good number for both sides.

[Mister Yamoto]

Originally Posted by Jacks

Name anyone who you could replace him with in the next year or so. If you manage to find a name that guy will probably be a 7-8M free agent. Hopefully we can get Gio locked up at 7M, good number for both sides.

OK. How about Kris Russell. I'm not just saying he can replace Gio. Because he DID replace Gio. And he did a fine job of it. We all saw it.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by Mister Yamoto

OK. How about Kris Russell. I'm not just saying he can replace Gio. Because he DID replace Gio. And he did a fine job of it. We all saw it.

This is ridiculous. Russell didn't replace Giordano by himself. The entire team stepped up.

[dammage79]

You could replace Gio the player. The one on the ice playing Defense. But, I have a hard time believing right now that you could replace Gio the captain and "Culture Setter". Treliving and Hartley both seem to value that aspect of Giordano greatly. And I feel like the team (players) does so equally as well.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Mister Yamoto

OK. How about Kris Russell. I'm not just saying he can replace Gio. Because he DID replace Gio. And he did a fine job of it. We all saw it.

I think without Gio setting the culture, style and standard the way he did, Russell wouldn't be as good as he is now. I believe Wideman commented on this about 2 months ago, crediting Gio for turning his career around (conditioning, prep, etc).

[chedder]

Any comparison using Glencross is absurd. Norris caliber team captain who is heart and soul vs third line me first player who tries when he feels like it. Other than age its like apples to oranges at best. I think Gio gets 7 million per year aav for 6 years. I don't think we'll ever see Gio healthy scratched in the playoffs.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Mister Yamoto

OK. How about Kris Russell. I'm not just saying he can replace Gio. Because he DID replace Gio. And he did a fine job of it. We all saw it.

Well, no he didn't. He certainly didn't replace Giordano's points. His minutes got upped. So did the minutes of Wideman, and especially Engelland.

[driveway]

Short and massive. Hedge your bets against age and injury, but reward the best defenseman in the league appropriately.

Three years, ten million per season. Use the current cap space to buy the ability to be flexible in the future.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by heep223

I don't agree that he's replaceable.

I do agree with your last comment though, 4-5 years with an AAV of $6.5M - $7.0M sounds about right to me. I also agree that "if the Flames can't get a deal done that makes sense, the best move is to let him go." If he's asking $10M or something that's obviously too much. But I really doubt he will.

He's not replaceable however the team did show after his injury that they are not going to turn into the Oilers without him. I would value his leadership very highly alone but you have to be reasonable here as we have seen many young teams that succeeded earlier than scheduled that got a little derailed into thinking they needed to alter their long term plans. We really have no idea what he and his agent is looking for but if they are looking for the same type of contract a top defenseman in his 20's seeks then they are asking for too much. As I said before there has to be some give and take on both sides to get a deal worked out. We know there are a couple of desperate teams out there not concerned about the future that would offer him an outrageous deal but you can't let that affect your team's salary structure and team building.

A few years back Giordano had a pretty underwhelming season where he struggled. I would hate to be around here if in the next few seasons he struggles again especially making +$7 million as a lot of the fans wanting the Flames to open their wallets today would be the first to turn on him.

[PeteMoss]

If you lose Giordano (because if you can't sign him you have to trade him), you're basically one injury away from having an Engelland/Smid type pair in the top 4.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by delayedreflex

9, 8, 7, 7, 6 - 5 year, $37 million contract, $7.4 million cap hit - I think this would be reasonable for both sides. I don't think it's going to be possible to get as low of a cap hit as many of those comparables due to the length of their contracts.

This. Five years, front-loaded, coming out to around 7.5 mil cap hit per year. Remember, this won't be Gio negotiating - it will be Rich Winter. He plays hardball. I expect Treliving will hold his ground on term (5 years), and Winter will press hard on dollars.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by dammage79

You could replace Gio the player..

Ummmm. How?

[codynw]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Ummmm. How?

Just trade some spare parts for Drew Doughty.