And yet your first post in here to a poster who says it's easily Parayko is to argue for Pesce.
Because I don't think it's "easily" anyone...The results agree - it's nearly an exact split.
You also argue that the biggest risk about him is that he won't re-sign then turn around to say that his value is less if you extend him. Yes, he would get a raise, but if you're talking about acquiring a top defenseman in his prime for the foreseeable future, doesn't that mean you came out ahead?
That is correct, there are two large risks involved:
1. He may not re-sign.
2. He will demand a high AAV and a long term to make up for the team friendly deal he is currently on. This is a risk for any player near age 30, not just Parayko.
It's not about individual Leafs fans when you notice a trend in all the Parayko discussions over the course of years and many posters. I'm not saying all Leafs fans, but the ones who are in it for longer than a few replies always end up talking down the value, and all I'm saying is it's a very thinly-veiled tactic. These aren't real negotiations. There is no value to saying "Well, there's a scratch on the hood and I really don't like these wheels" when neither of you are in the car-buying process. If you think the price is more than the Leafs are willing to pay, it's whatever. But trying to talk down the value of a guy who no one on the fanbase wants to trade is just kinda funny and cliche.
There is no trend. On the Leafs board, most fans would give up the moon for Parayko. It's a shame you've made this into yet ANOTHER fanbase shaming topic, though. The discussion about the players would have been much more interesting.
Discussing very real risks in acquiring a player is not "talking down" their value. Parayko type situations are huge organizational risks, and that goes for any sport. This isn't the first time a very good but aging player is about to hit the jackpot on their next contract and opposing fans are leery. The same discussions were happening when Vlasic signed, same discussions around Trouba, Doughty, Karlsson, etc. No one is picking on your guy.