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

[Johnnybegood13]

Comparing Gadreau to Gretzky?

Gaudreau has been a target since he was 8 years old, always the best player on his team and always the smallest. Damn straight he's as good as Gretzky at avoiding hits and possibly even better because in Wayne's day if you touched him you would get your head knocked off. Watch the Anahiem games again, in the first period of the first game 4 times they tried to run him and missed. Then of course the dirtbag ducks took to slashing at his wrists. If that was done to Gretzky...Semenko and co would have put the slasher in the hospital.

 

[Pablo El Perro]

Is a young player like that really worth that much? I don't know if I would be happy paying him that. Obviously you don't want to lose a player like him, but 8m seems a bit rough.

Looking at the contracts signed lately and players reaching their peak at younger ages, it's fair to conclude that what we knew as brdge contracts are becoming a relic.

 

[JuniorNelson]

Gaudreau has been a target since he was 8 years old, always the best player on his team and always the smallest. Damn straight he's as good as Gretzky at avoiding hits and possibly even better because in Wayne's day if you touched him you would get your head knocked off. Watch the Anahiem games again, in the first period of the first game 4 times they tried to run him and missed. Then of course the dirtbag ducks took to slashing at his wrists. If that was done to Gretzky...Semenko and co would have put the slasher in the hospital.

The league protected Gretzky and really sold their soul, too. It's been a joke sport ever since. I hope they let Goudreau play unaccompanied by a personal ref.

 

[Call me betty*]

After watching him in this World Cup....

I'm slowly starting to think Gaudreau might be worth 8 mill, in a year or two, i could see him cracking top 5, maybe even top 3 in points.

 

[MuffinMerc]

$8 mill after 2 seasons is mind boggling to me

 

[LeapOnOver]

My reaction exactly. The salaries for people just exiting their ELC are getting ridicilous raises based on 1 or 2 good season.

Yeah, and doesn't even seem like all young players have been going that route until recently. On my own team JT took a team friendly deal coming out and now he'll expect to get paid but seems like they are rushing the paydays now. I don't know, Gaudreau is good there is no doubt but that's elite money. He just hasn't been around long enough to expect that IMO. Interesting times though.

 

[Beninho*]

Yeah, and doesn't even seem like all young players have been going that route until recently. On my own team JT took a team friendly deal coming out and now he'll expect to get paid but seems like they are rushing the paydays now. I don't know, Gaudreau is good there is no doubt but that's elite money. He just hasn't been around long enough to expect that IMO. Interesting times though.

He out produced Tavares last season, along with out producing most of the league. Kids a star already, he creates plays out of nothing and has been nothing but amazing his first 2 years in the league. If you watched him every game like I do you probably would see this. He's worth every penny he will be getting and he's without a doubt an elite player.

 

[Tripod]

He out produced Tavares last season, along with out producing most of the league. Kids a star already, he creates plays out of nothing and has been nothing but amazing his first 2 years in the league. If you watched him every game like I do you probably would see this. He's worth every penny he will be getting and he's without a doubt an elite player.

Few are doubting that. But what people are saying is that as a RFA for 5 years, the Flames don't have to cave to such a high number.

Everyone earning in the 8 million and above were upcoming UFA's. The choice was sign them, or possibly lose them for nothing. There is no fear with that with JG.

The choices "should" be....sign a long term deal at a discounted rate. That gives the player long term security, and the team a discount. Or, sign a 2-3 bridge deal at a way lower rate, and then get a bigger long term deal with UFA status looming in the near future.

Signing JG to an 8 year 8 million deal won't happen IMO. Take less long term....and when I say less I am talking 7.5 mill since a Tarasenko set the market....or take way less on a 2-3 year deal.

Personally, as I said before, if I am the Flames, I try and sign him long term now. That gives you all his prime years and let's you walk away at age 31. If you sign him to the bridge deal, that means that big contract could go to his 33/34 year old seasons where there is more risk of decline.

 

[LeapOnOver]

He out produced Tavares last season, along with out producing most of the league. Kids a star already, he creates plays out of nothing and has been nothing but amazing his first 2 years in the league. If you watched him every game like I do you probably would see this. He's worth every penny he will be getting and he's without a doubt an elite player.

Well will have to agree to disagree. This isn't even about how good he is. I, personally, don't think you can give the status of elite to ANYBODY who has been in the league such a short time. It's just impossible. That's not to say he doesn't have elite talent, he just hasn't played long enough to earn that status.

So, for me, it has nothing to do with watching him play every day or not. He's too young to get that title. Obviously this is opinion and you can disagree, but that's my take.

 

[Johnny Hoxville]

Few are doubting that. But what people are saying is that as a RFA for 5 years, the Flames don't have to cave to such a high number.

Everyone earning in the 8 million and above were upcoming UFA's. The choice was sign them, or possibly lose them for nothing. There is no fear with that with JG.

The choices "should" be....sign a long term deal at a discounted rate. That gives the player long term security, and the team a discount. Or, sign a 2-3 bridge deal at a way lower rate, and then get a bigger long term deal with UFA status looming in the near future.

Signing JG to an 8 year 8 million deal won't happen IMO. Take less long term....and when I say less I am talking 7.5 mill since a Tarasenko set the market....or take way less on a 2-3 year deal.

Personally, as I said before, if I am the Flames, I try and sign him long term now. That gives you all his prime years and let's you walk away at age 31. If you sign him to the bridge deal, that means that big contract could go to his 33/34 year old seasons where there is more risk of decline.

To me he's getting between 7.25/.75 over 8 years. It'll be in that range. Obviously the 7.5 is Taresenko money, I think he's asking for 8, but they'll settle on some sort of agreement in the mid 7's. Whether it's higher or lower than 7.5 will be determined by how good of a negotiator Treliving is, but from what I've seen, he's been awesome at extensions.

The reason this deal isn't done yet is because quite frankly there are not a lot of comparables for Johnny. The way he has come into the league and started to post the numbers he has is pretty rare. Taresenko is his closest comparable, but Gaudreau just finished 6th in league scoring in only his 2nd year and is by and far away the largest driving offsensive force on our team. He's absolutely an elite player right now, watch him at the worlds. IMO he looks like team NA's best player along with Ekblad.

 

[DJJones]

To me he's getting between 7.25/.75 over 8 years. It'll be in that range. Obviously the 7.5 is Taresenko money, I think he's asking for 8, but they'll settle on some sort of agreement in the mid 7's. Whether it's higher or lower than 7.5 will be determined by how good of a negotiator Treliving is, but from what I've seen, he's been awesome at extensions.

The reason this deal isn't done yet is because quite frankly there are not a lot of comparables for Johnny. The way he has come into the league and started to post the numbers he has is pretty rare. Taresenko is his closest comparable, but Gaudreau just finished 6th in league scoring in only his 2nd year and is by and far away the largest driving offsensive force on our team. He's absolutely an elite player right now, watch him at the worlds. IMO he looks like team NA's best player along with Ekblad.

Even Tarasenko isn't a comparable since he has an extra RFA year. His contract amounts each year make no sense whatsoever to me so it's not exactly easy to figure out what an RFA and a UFA year were both worth.

 

[McIce Whole]

Gaudreau has been a target since he was 8 years old, always the best player on his team and always the smallest. Damn straight he's as good as Gretzky at avoiding hits and possibly even better because in Wayne's day if you touched him you would get your head knocked off. Watch the Anahiem games again, in the first period of the first game 4 times they tried to run him and missed. Then of course the dirtbag ducks took to slashing at his wrists. If that was done to Gretzky...Semenko and co would have put the slasher in the hospital.

You mean the same game where Gaudreau got benched because the coach was scared to play him?

 

[King In The North]

You mean the same game where Gaudreau got benched because the coach was scared to play him?

First period? He wasn't benched until the third where the score was a colossal 6-1. Most of the time your star players aren't playing that much anyway in that score.

 

[SmellOfVictory]

You mean the same game where Gaudreau got benched because the coach was scared to play him?

You mean the game where his entire line was benched because it was a blowout loss and it wasn't worth playing the Flames' de facto top line? Keep parroting ignorant narratives, though.

 

[herashak]

7 x 7.5
or
8 x 8

 

[McShogun99]

Why not just wait until next off season to sign him. If he puts up another year where he's top 10 in points then he should be worth 7.5 million + long term.

 

[Johnnybegood13]

You mean the same game where Gaudreau got benched because the coach was scared to play him?

As stated the whole line was sat, game was out of hand, the Ducks were trying to chop Gaudreau wrists in half and the refs swallowed their whistles. Hartley got choked and sat the whole top line.

 

[slappipappi]

Why not just wait until next off season to sign him. If he puts up another year where he's top 10 in points then he should be worth 7.5 million + long term.

Because (1) he wants $8M now, so is unlikely to settle for something starting with a 7 after another good year; and (2) next year he'll have more leverage because he'll be eligible for an offer sheet.

 

[PhoenyX]

As stated the whole line was sat, game was out of hand, the Ducks were trying to chop Gaudreau wrists in half and the refs swallowed their whistles. Hartley got choked and sat the whole top line.

Gaudreau can't defend himself? C'mon, this isn't the 80s anymore where teams sign enforcers to protect their star players. You have to stand up for yourself. You think teams are going to take it easy on Gaudreau? No, they are going to do the opposite because they know how dangerous he is. Gaudreau better get used to having a target on his head.

 

[TFHockey]

However, Gaudreau’s sample size is small, as is his 5-foot-9, 157-pound frame, which limits his versatility and threatens his durability. An even bigger concern is his inconsistency on the road, where the opposition gets the last change and can match their shut-down line against no. 13.

Finishing sixth in the league with 30 goals and 78 points last year, Gaudreau was only able to score seven goals and add 12 assists away from the Dome

In all seriousness do any Calgary Flame fans have any reservations about giving this player a massive contract? I am not trying to cause trouble, I mean this sincerely. 2 Years and he is asking $8 MILL?

Just from the outside looking in I would be a lot more comfortable at $6 Million AAV. Thoughts?

 

[Paralyzer]

Well will have to agree to disagree. This isn't even about how good he is. I, personally, don't think you can give the status of elite to ANYBODY who has been in the league such a short time. It's just impossible. That's not to say he doesn't have elite talent, he just hasn't played long enough to earn that status.

So, for me, it has nothing to do with watching him play every day or not. He's too young to get that title. Obviously this is opinion and you can disagree, but that's my take.

I feel Gaudreau is a special kid and this is from an Oilers fan. He is very similar to St. Louis in size but has elite puck handling skills. He IMO deserves being called 'Elite'. If he isn't Elite, then McDavid sure as hell isn't, yet, lots of people on here would argue he is Top 10 if not Top 5 in the league in terms of talent.

 

[Figgy44]

In all seriousness do any Calgary Flame fans have any reservations about giving this player a massive contract? I am not trying to cause trouble, I mean this sincerely. 2 Years and he is asking $8 MILL?

Just from the outside looking in I would be a lot more comfortable at $6 Million AAV. Thoughts?

I think when it comes down to it, the reservation is more of a team expectation sort of thing. Give JG the 8 mil, then everyone else wants an extra 10-20% on their next contracts. I don't think we as a fanbase are concerned about injuries over the duration of his contract. We are more concerned about our cap for building a contending roster, what's best for JG long term, and what's best for the team now. I mean, Gio asked for 9 and settled on 6.75. So we shall see what the negotiations end up at.

Best case scenario I see is around a 6.75 x 7 which is a win win for both sides. Team gets a good contract to work with, JG gets cash and a good age to renegotiate his next deal. Worst case for both sides is around an 8x8. Cap hit is higher, JG renegotiates at a disadvantageous age.

I'd have to assume the term is 6-7 years. Between 7-8 mil. I'm assuming the final contract numbers will be one of the following:

6 years x 7.5
7 years x 7.0

Perhaps adjust a few hundred K for Treliving magic.

 

[qwerty]

In all seriousness do any Calgary Flame fans have any reservations about giving this player a massive contract? I am not trying to cause trouble, I mean this sincerely. 2 Years and he is asking $8 MILL?

Just from the outside looking in I would be a lot more comfortable at $6 Million AAV. Thoughts?

I suspect Gaudreau's agent is trying to land a long term deal in the $7M range. If this is the case then I'd be content with that as he is not only the face of the franchise, but the most talented and marketable player on this team.

People tune in or go to the Dome specifically to watch him play as he's easily worth the price of admission. His jerseys are the most popular among Flames fans and his autograph signings at local pizza stores have lineups out the door and down the street. If everything is taken into consideration, yes I would say he's worth the money and then some.

 

[Soundwave]

Just pay the guy IMO. Not worth dragging this out into the mud like this.

 

[Figgy44]

I suspect Gaudreau's agent is trying to land a long term deal in the $7M range. If this is the case then I'd be content with that as he is not only the face of the franchise, but the most talented and marketable player on this team.

People tune in or go to the Dome specifically to watch him play as he's easily worth the price of admission. His jerseys are the most popular among Flames fans and his autograph signings at local pizza stores have lineups out the door and down the street. If everything is taken into consideration, yes I would say he's worth the money and then some.

Agreed. I forgot to mention in the earlier post that I have no reservations for giving him a huge contract, but would hope he also chooses to help out the team by selecting a contract that works for him and the org.