I put it like that, because that is realistically what it is. If MacK doesn't have enough motivation beyond money to become a top player, he simply isn't the guy to build around and regardless of the contract, it is a failure. The best players are not driven by that. The contract that he would get this summer, yeah he'd easily still earn that. But if money is the big motivator, he is the the wrong player to build around. So him theoretically being push a bit more for the contract doesn't factor in since if that is his motivation, it is wrong to begin with and the Avs would cut bait.
It has never changed. The best players always get paid as soon as they can. Eric Lindros came into the NHL as the highest paid player in the league. Paul Kariya entered the league with a top 15 salary. Forsberg's 4th year he was in the top 15. Kane and Towes got paid after their ELC. So did Kopitar and Doughty. As did Stamkos and Tavares.
The long-term deal that MacK gets, it won't be over $7m at this point and probably closer to the mid $6m range. That is far from elite money nowadays and on top of that, the contract will only take him to his mid to late 20s.
There are two big reasons to force MacK into a bridge deal... saving cap space the next couple seasons and to attempt to hold his rights longer.
One thing to factor in as well is the relationship aspect of this. Forcing MacK into a bridge deal when there is very little need to can sour the relationship and push him out of the organization pretty quickly. We have seen this happen twice recently with RyJo and ROR.
This is where we disagree. You think that would make MacK something I don't. The external pressure to become better. I think that has helped a great many players in history play better and it doesn't make them incapable of leading a team. Even players outside MacKs situation almost routinely have their best seasons in their contract year. It doesn't make them only motivated by money as you suggest. It also isn't THE motivator it is A motivator, and it isn't even about giving them extra motivation as I ve said, it's about not taking it away.
If you look at every different thing a coach does to motivate a player, you can't say "if a player needs X to reach his potential he isn't the guy to build around" because it's just one of many things. Everything in his past and his natural skill set, and his will to win have got him 90% there. It's that extra 10% that is the hardest for every player and a lot don't reach it. In MacK's case that 10% takes him from being a very good player to a great player.
As for players salaries, Kariya and Forsberg were clearly the exceptions to the vast majority, and both of them had already reached their offensive potential with multiple high point totals. Kariya a high of 108 points, and Forsberg with 116.
Toews, Tavares, Kopitar, Stamkos, Doughty and Kane are part of the new generation I was referring to, where it has become more common, but still in the minority.
Aside from that, Toews, Tavares, and Kopitar are like how I described Landy as a safe bet. Proven mature, two way players, already very close to their potential.
Stamkos was already proven offensively with back to baby 90+ point seasons to meet his potential. Doughty and Kane were already proven offensively with 59 and 88 point seasons respectively, and both coming off Stankey Cups where they played HUGE roles.
Mack for what a great player he is, still has his rookie point total of 63 as his career best and he wasn't on pace to beat that this year. He only has a few games of playoff experience, and he's still a defensive liability at times.
Seguin really is the only comparison I see to where MacK is at in his career, as he was given a big contract with a career high 67 point season. It worked out for him and hopefully it will work out for MacK.
