Speculation: Gaudreau seeking $8M annually on new deal with Flames

[Some Other Flame]

Also, the Flames hold basically all the cards. Unless Gaudreau wants to play in Europe or take a full year off during his best years, his agent is going to have to cave at some point. Worst case, they sign a shorter deal. I'd be extremely surprised if he ended up getting anything near 8 million a year.

The Flames have most of the leverage here but not all. Gaudreau can withhold services and if in the process the Flames suddenly find out that they can't score goals while losing games left and right, Treliving might not be so eager to play hardball when his job is on the line. Yeah, it could go the other way too but that'll just mean an acrimonious break up.

If the Flames are insisting on a Gio cap for the full 8 years, then they're absolute morons. If Gaudreau and Gross are adamant on 8M+, then they've got their heads in the clouds. Common sense dictates they meet in the middle and sign something around 7.25M for 8 years. But it should be alarming that a gap of this magnitude still exists this late in the process. Francis' numbers seem more like opening offers.

Almost everything Eric Francis says is basically speculation. No real facts or sources to back stuff up.

Francis definitely has sources within the Flames. When it comes to speculation, he's a hack but he's broken more than a few stories on the Flames over the years.

 

[M.C.G. 31]

I'd pay him that on a nice, long 8-year deal, no doubt.

 

[mouser]

Has there been any suggestion from either side they'd be willing to do a shorter deal? Or has all the talk been 6-8 years?

 

[Gm0ney]

If McDavid asks for 8m the Oilers sign that every moment of the day until he retires.

No kidding - max cap hit will be $16M AAV with an $80M cap in a couple of years. $11.75M AAV would be about equivalent in terms of cap percentage to Toews' deal (assuming $80M cap vs. the $71.4M cap for Toews 1st year).

Gaudreau at $8M AAV equivalencies:

2005-06: $4.27M
2006-07: $4.82M
2007-08: $5.51M
2008-09: $6.21M
2009-10: $6.22M
2010-11: $6.51M
2011-12: $7.05M
2012-13: $7.69M
2013-14: $7.05M
2014-15: $7.56M
2015-16: $7.82M

 

[Boxscore]

He's Patrick Kane 2.0. I'd like to see a 5 year x 6.75 per deal. After that, he'll still be able to cash in another whopper.

 

[Riptide]

Of course he is. He's an unsigned restricted free agent.

No he isn't. Not every "unsigned restricted free agent" is eligible to be offer sheeted. Perhaps educate yourself before making uneducated statements.

 

[FlamesFan18]

Give him 9

 

[OvermanKingGainer]

Has there been any suggestion from either side they'd be willing to do a shorter deal? Or has all the talk been 6-8 years?

Both sides want long term but from Gaudreau's agent's side, you really have to buy the last three years because otherwise he'd be making more money on his 2nd contract. On Flames side you want small AAV for the first five years because otherwise he'd be making less money on a bridge deal.

Long term, I actually think a 3 year bridge to take Johnny to age 25, followed by an 8 year deal in the 8.5-9.5M range, might actually make more sense as that gives you Johnny through age 33. THen he can sign a back-breaker retirement deal with the Flyers.

 

[Volica]

No he isn't. Not every "unsigned restricted free agent" is eligible to be offer sheeted. Perhaps educate yourself before making uneducated statements.

Yup, cannot be offer sheeted this year, no arb rights and Flames hold this contract for at least 5 more years.

I have no issues when and how Johnny will be resigned. I think after the WHC it'll get done quickly. I imagine that once it's over he'll get involved with the discussion and they will have no problems signing a 7x7 or so.

 

[Joe Sakic]

Fine, just do 8x8 if you're the Flames.

 

[RedHot]

Give him 9

9 years at 9 years per year

 

[webersshot]

I just don't think he's worth that.

 

[SKRusty]

He's Patrick Kane 2.0. I'd like to see a 5 year x 6.75 per deal. After that, he'll still be able to cash in another whopper.

That would be a reasonable contract.

As far as declaring him Kane 2.0 that is something only time can ascertain. There are too many Setoguchi's, Kessel's, Richards, Hall's, and Vaneks that started down the same path.

There is a time for a show me contract and that time is now with Gaudreau. It may cost 1-2 million a season down the road but it could just as likely save you 3-4 M a season.

 

[Divine]

Gaudreau is playing with fire by playing in the World Cup. Imagine he blows out his knee and is out for the year, no way Calgary signs him to a contract this year just to pay him during injury. I also don't think it's possible to buy insurance on an already injured player. He'll essentially go the entire year without a contract and then his ask will have to drop because of the risk associated with his return.

 

[Funk21]

If I am Johnny Hockey I look at it from the perspective that if they want to lock me up long term I'm looking at a one time big payday at 23 as most players are being considered past their prime at 30+ so he would be foolish not to ask for the world.

 

[Volica]

I just don't think he's worth that.

Near PPG player last year, and easily a top 5 most offensively dynamic player in the league.

He's going to get paid.

 

[sxvnert]

Anything less than seven is a steal.

 

[2020 Cup Champions]

9 years at 9 years per year

Hell, make it 9 years and 2 virgin sacrifices per year per year per second per second

 

[SmellOfVictory]

If I am Johnny Hockey I look at it from the perspective that if they want to lock me up long term I'm looking at a one time big payday at 23 as most players are being considered past their prime at 30+ so he would be foolish not to ask for the world.

Elite players at 30+ get paid a crapton of money on long contracts. Also, let's all make note that this ask is specifically Gaudreau's agent; Gaudreau states that he has not been directly involved in negotiations at all.

 

[KidLine93]

That would be a reasonable contract.

As far as declaring him Kane 2.0 that is something only time can ascertain. There are too many Setoguchi's, Kessel's, Richards, Hall's, and Vaneks that started down the same path.

There is a time for a show me contract and that time is now with Gaudreau. It may cost 1-2 million a season down the road but it could just as likely save you 3-4 M a season.

Hall put up 2 top 10 scoring finishes the next 2 seasons after he signed his 6x7. what are you even talking about??

If the oilers had waited they would be paying him 7.5+. A bridge deal would have been the dumbest thing to do. just like with Subban. That bridge deal cost the team a huge contract later on instead of getting a bargain long term.

 

[Voight]

Why not? He's established himself as a premier LW.

 

[InfinityIggy]

Of course he is. He's an unsigned restricted free agent.

No he isn't. He hasn't reached the minimum games played requirement to be offersheet eligible.

 

[Thndrstruck]

"according to Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun"

Francis click bait for sure!

 

[hockeykicker]

 

[bobbythebrain]

8mil for a kid who can only score at home. LOL. That's hilarious.