Cole Caufield’s next contract - what’s the maximum AAV you would be comfortable with?

[CHwest]

Voted 9.5 because there wasnt a higher number. Dude is the real deal and one of the best shooters I've ever seen. His release is jaw-dropping. I blink and it's off his stick, and it reaches the target with incredible precision. Cap is gonna go up in the next few years and double digit contracts will be common practice, not just the absolute superstars. And, anyways, I think Caufield will be a superstar.

Slow down, he's 92nd in the league for p/pg. Yesh!

 

[Bombshell11]

What would be his actual value on a 8 year contract at the moment from your point of view ?

My point of view is that an 8 year contract does not make sense for either party.

8 years should be out of the question.

 

[calder candidate]

Technically we have some control he won’t hit UFA for a other 4-5 years so we want want to sign him for 8 but I think we also want to respect a cap structure and give him the same has Suzuki or a little less.
Ideally it would be 6.1M$ x8 but realistically it will be some where between 7M$ (Boldy) and 8M$ (Hughes)

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I'd do 9.5 if we had to... but man, I would hope we don't. Hopefully he yells 'solidarity' and signs for what Suzuki did.

He's an emerging superstar. You have to pay him.

 

[Riggins]

8 year is too far, better do a 2,3 or 4 years first and see what gives.

That's how you end up paying 10+.

Now is the perfect time to do 8 years. You get him through his prime and it expires when he's 30. You know you have at least a 40 goal scorer. Maybe more.

 

[Tetragrammaton]

I'd do 9.5 if we had to... but man, I would hope we don't. Hopefully he yells 'solidarity' and signs for what Suzuki did.

He's an emerging superstar. You have to pay him.

I voted 9.5 as well. It was the highest amount in the options. The OP question is how much would we be comfortable with, we really have no choice but to be comfortable with what ever amount they give him. Even if they would give him 10.5 - 11 we all know he's worth it. We're just wishing and hoping he takes less because we're playing armchair general manager and we want to save on the cap. I'm expecting him to get the Subban deal, 9 million x 8 years total 72 million.

Forget about what Suzuki makes, Caufield is proving that he's a legitimate super star. People can't just look at the stats but actually need to watch him play, he's got the puck on a string, always seems to make the right plays, he's impressive. If he was on a top team with a power play he would be pacing for 90-100 points I have no doubt.

 

[Scriptor]

I honestly think that people are putting the potential 50-goal mark above everything else.

Caufield will not get 100+ points, 90+ points or, maybe, even a PPG production, like other superstars; McDavid, Draisaitl, Ovechkin, Matthews, Marner, Crosby, Stamkos, Kucherov, Rantanen, MacKinnon, Huberdeau, Gaudreau, Kaprizov, M. Tkachuk, Miller, Panarin, Connor, Kane, Barkov, Crosby, Malkin, plus many others that will regularly produce more than Caufield.

Some will also be dominant offensively and play a shutdown role at the same time, something that Caufield, although decent with his stick in his own zone, will never succeed in doing.

Caufield is a goal scorer who, IMO, in a career year, will get a PPG production or slightly better, but, most likely, he can score between 40 and 60 with a limited amount of assists, making him a 65 to 70 point player in good year, plus the career year where he gets a PPG average, or slightly better, because he scored 60.

PPG players earn between 7M and 8M, not 9.5M, 10M, 10.5M, 11M, 11.5M, 12M.

That 7M to 8M figure will likely go up, along with all salaries as the cap ceiling rises over the next years, but Montreal is also buying 4 RFA years. An 8M AAV contract could well be front-loaded 10M, 10M, 10M, 10M, 6M, 6M, 6M, 6M, with bonuses up front like Carey price's contract.

 

[Bombshell11]

That's how you end up paying 10+.

Now is the perfect time to do 8 years. You get him through his prime and it expires when he's 30. You know you have at least a 40 goal scorer. Maybe more.

And?

God forbid you have to pay him more because he deserves it. This would actually be a healthier relationship.

What would be the incentive for him to try and push harder and become better than what he is right now?

2 years now, then 8 years after that.

bridge contracts are healthy, as long as you're not purposely low balling players out of ego

 

[Gillings]

8x8 would be fair Caufield can score but he doesnt bring much more then that but im hoping for the Suzuki contract

I’m sorry but this just isn’t true, he brings a lot more for his size. He can pinch players off on the boards, can steal the puck, makes great outlet passes, has a good head on his shoulders and more.

 

[BLONG7]

Really? What season was that?

Splitting hairs.................he has scored 48 in his last 82 games..............
Richer was the last winger to score goals at that pace..............close to 40 years ago.
We should NOT be splitting hairs with this kid and his agent.

 

[jaffy27]

7.5m$ x 8yrs

Here Cole, here’s 60m$ bucks and max the front loading ….

See you when you’re 29, we’ll sign you for another 35m$…..

Yes Cole, sign right where it says signature

 

[slybel]

Dont care.... we haven't seen a guy score like this in a looooong time!

If he pops 40+ (high possibility) ... on a bad team!

 

[CHwest]

Splitting hairs.................he has scored 48 in his last 82 games..............
Richer was the last winger to score goals at that pace..............close to 40 years ago.
We should NOT be splitting hairs with this kid and his agent.

Well I guess Brian Savage, Mr October was a 60 goal scorer.

 

[Sorinth]

Well I guess Brian Savage, Mr October was a 60 goal scorer.

So 82 straight games is the same as 1-month?

 

[Habs Halifax]

7.5m$ x 8yrs

Here Cole, here’s 60m$ bucks and max the front loading ….

See you when you’re 29, we’ll sign you for another 35m$…..

Yes Cole, sign right where it says signature

Boldy, Hughes, and Robertson contracts are comparables. 8x ($7.5M - $8.5M range) is the number I have and I think they might match Suzuki's contract. Keep it simple (Brisson/Hughes).

How would we react if it's a 4 year deal? 1 RFA years left after that 4 year term? I don't like this idea one bit. Just wondering what others think? Trying to get a lower AAV and going for the 4 year term would be stupid timing for how our roster is shaping up IMO.

What about all 3 making $7.875M (Suzuki, Caufield, Dubois)? Would be nice

 

[BLONG7]

Well I guess Brian Savage, Mr October was a 60 goal scorer.

Did he ever score 48 in 82? Your example is very flawed as compared to mine.
48 goals in 82 games with MSL is closer to 50 than Savage;s 9 goals in October......we both know it.

Again...................re read what I said..............Splitting hairs on CC's producstion.

 

[Beaker]

What would be the incentive for him to try and push harder and become better than what he is right now?

This is a kid who was passed over on draft day despite his talent and has been told he’s too small his whole life. People still doubt him. He also didn’t become this talented overnight… he put in a lot of work. I wouldn’t be worried about motivation.

 

[Scriptor]

Boldy, Hughes, and Robertson contracts are comparables. 8x ($7.5M - $8.5M range) is the number I have and I think they might match Suzuki's contract. Keep it simple (Brisson/Hughes).

How would we react if it's a 4 year deal? 1 RFA years left after that 4 year term? I don't like this idea one bit. Just wondering what others think? Trying to get a lower AAV and going for the 4 year term would be stupid timing for how our roster is shaping up IMO.

What about all 3 making $7.875M (Suzuki, Caufield, Dubois)? Would be nice

That would be the Cat's Meow!

There's something to be said about offering Caufield 7 years at 7.875M rather than 8 years, tying the two at the hip. When their contracts are up at the same time, if the situation is favourable in Montreal, they could agree to give a home discount to keep the best team together for a run (continued run) at the Cup. Offering Dubois term that matches the expiry date of the other two contracts could also fall in the same line of thinking; 7 years if we get him this offseason or 6 years if we get him as an UFA.

Suzuki would be 31 in the first year of his next contract.
Caufield would be 29 in the first year of his next contract.
Dubois would be 32 in the first year of his next contract.

Perhaps it would be best to offer maximum term to Dubois that would bring him to 33 or 34 in the first year of another contract, depending when we acquire him?

 

[Habs Halifax]

That would be the Cat's Meow!

There's something to be said about offering Caufield 7 years at 7.875M rather than 8 years, tying the two at the hip. When their contracts are up at the same time, if the situation is favourable in Montreal, they could agree to give a home discount to keep the best team together for a run (continued run) at the Cup. Offering Dubois term that matches the expiry date of the other two contracts could also fall in the same line of thinking; 7 years if we get him this offseason or 6 years if we get him as an UFA.

Suzuki would be 31 in the first year of his next contract.
Caufield would be 29 in the first year of his next contract.
Dubois would be 32 in the first year of his next contract.

Perhaps it would be best to offer maximum term to Dubois that would bring him to 33 or 34 in the first year of another contract, depending when we acquire him?

Personally, I would prefer to overlap the terms so that when both need new contracts, we don't have two massive ones to negotiate at the same time. Not something that can't be managed but something I would try to avoid if possible.

If things go well, we will still be contenders when all 3 of Suzuki, Caufield, and Dach are 30+ cause we have done a good job with the talent behind them. So it's likely we prefer to retain them at that stage as well.... if things go well. That's 8 years down the road so lets focus on the short term first.

Once we start competing, the strategy should be to keep the futures and draft power strong. These are critical mistakes the Leafs and Oilers have made. They have depth issues with weak prospect pools. Only make futures trades like Tampa when the roster is more complete. It's much deeper than just the top half of the line-up in today's NHL.

 

[JoelWarlord]

Voted 9.5M because the real answer is "I don't care".

Just not something I'm remotely worried about. Last night was St. Louis' 82nd game as our head coach and Caufield has 48 goals in that time. I do not care what his number is.

 

[Bombshell11]

Splitting hairs.................he has scored 48 in his last 82 games..............
Richer was the last winger to score goals at that pace..............close to 40 years ago.
We should NOT be splitting hairs with this kid and his agent.

How can any one be pushing for such a premature contract. I get it its not your money but its pure insanity.

 

[Frank Drebin]

I'm hoping for something reasonable. I'd be happy with anything under 80 for 8. I don't think 10m per is reasonable, but I'd still be ok with that

 

[rve24]

I went 9mil. And I'd go 8 years. Anything less (I'm hoping for 8) is a bonus for the team, anything more I think ya just gotta bite the bullet unfortunately.

Check, check, check
Pay dis man his money. He von fair n square.

 

[SOLR]

8,

We need to keep $13m open for Bedard after the next 3 years.

 

[Team_Spirit]

Jason Robertson 40g 40a in 72gp got 4yrs x 7.75 in the off season.

2-3 yrs makes more sense for Cole and the Habs.

Price and Bergevin's boys (Armia, Hoffman) will be off the books so it won't be a problem to re-up him even if he keep progressing and score ~50g and ~1ppg.