I mean, I'm always surprised by how many hockey fans repeatedly call for professional athletes to make sweetheart deals when they're likely (if not absolutely) in a place where they can get more money/term. (Just as a recent example, see the Ovi thread on the trade forum.) But this is largely a speculation/rumor board, so what else is there to do but make cases for deals/trades/contracts/etc. that aren't likely to happen?
For example, I think if Holtby can get a 2-year/$2.5M contract (or even less), he'd take that over... signing with the Caps for one year and minimum wage, as was originally mentioned earlier? But, as a wise man once said, if I knew anything about the game, I'd be in it. And I'm not. And, again--we'll find out soon enough, won't we?