Salary Cap: Hutson's next contract

[Habs Halifax]

6 years at $7.75M. I believe that is 5 RFA years and 1 UFA year. Could be 6 RFA years (not sure)

Over the next 2 seasons, there is going to be a cap bump up. Lots of scrambling will be done before the cap stabilizes again and the last thing you want is to have several players to sign in the 2-4 year span. Overlap it as much as you can. We might not have a choice with Demidov.

 

[crazyd74]

I hate the new trend of giving money and term to "unproven" rookies. Don't get me wrong, Slaf and Hutson are showing a high "promise" that their potential will materialize. Even so I feel it to be still a gamble. But I have to admit that Caufield is kinda proving me wrong.

If the kids don't pan out, you are at risk of massive cap issues.

 

[Victoire HuGo]

I hate the new trend of giving money and term to "unproven" rookies. Don't get me wrong, Slaf and Hutson are showing a high "promise" that their potential will materialize. Even so I feel it to be still a gamble. But I have to admit that Caufield is kinda proving me wrong.

If the kids don't pan out, you are at risk of massive cap issues.

I think for Slaf it's a valid argument but is Hutson really showing to be unproven in his case? He's already making a case for franchise records

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

He's gonna get like 9-10 if he keeps improving , its rough

 

[Deebs]

I hate the new trend of giving money and term to "unproven" rookies. Don't get me wrong, Slaf and Hutson are showing a high "promise" that their potential will materialize. Even so I feel it to be still a gamble. But I have to admit that Caufield is kinda proving me wrong.

If the kids don't pan out, you are at risk of massive cap issues.

It's a significant risk and all the franchise can do is bet on their scouting staff for an accurate projection of what a specific asset will turn out to be. As with all teams there will be hits and misses, with the hope of a large percentage separating the two.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Let's be honest, players want to capitalize on their situation. Lane probably wants to sign his big deal when he's around 27-28. Like Matthews, he's not gonna take the longest term as it would take him to 30. He'll probably take 6 years at around 7-8 mil and resign at 28 to a mammoth contract

He's a Quartexx client, Hughes's firm he started, so it's likely everyone will be gently pushing Hutson torwards an 8 year deal, including his agent, on top of having a built-in excuse to sign long-term and early, as careers can be quickly cut short with injuries, considering his size.

Not every player is a Friedman super self-maximizing machine. Some folks just want security.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

If the kids don't pan out, you are at risk of massive cap issues.

You risk more cap space if you bridge them and then they pan out.

 

[crazyd74]

You risk more cap space if you bridge them and then they pan out.

Only way I can see this to be the case would be if the GM is unwise. Leveraging the "cap savings" to load on other assets (with terms) in the likes of overpaying assets that aren't in the projected core.

Palat from NJD comes to mind. Gallagher would be another example if we would trade him without retention.

Cap management is also "Timing" management.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Only way I can see this to be the case would be if the GM is unwise. Leveraging the "cap savings" to load on other assets (with terms) in the likes of overpaying assets that aren't in the projected core.

Palat from NJD comes to mind. Gallagher would be another example if we would trade him without retention.

Cap management is also "Timing" management.

I'd rather take the example of better players as Hutson is far more in their range (Price and Subban).

Both Subban and Price could've been extended for far more than 8 years in 2012, at around 15-16mil for both, which would've limited cap space in the first few years, but would've become massive discounts later on, as they totalled nearly 20 mil at the end point when Price's new contract kicked-in. You can also avoid NMCs this way.

With an ever increasing cap, it's always better to sign stars early and for long term. Gotta have good evaluation though.

 

[Victoire HuGo]

I'd rather take the example of better players as Hutson is far more in their range (Price and Subban).

Both Subban and Price could've been extended for far more than 8 years in 2012, at around 15-16mil for both, which would've limited cap space in the first few years, but would've become massive discounts later on, as they totalled nearly 20 mil at the end point when Price's new contract kicked-in. You can also avoid NMCs this way.

With an ever increasing cap, it's always better to sign stars early and for long term. Gotta have good evaluation though.

Only time it truly backfires is when there is a world wide pandemic

 

[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

The contract that he hasn't even started yet is awful?

He's currently on a 50 point pace as a twenty year old, and you're saying his contract - that, again, has yet to even start - is awful?

What are you talking about?

Points are not everything and you knows it. Matheson could pull 70 and still be completely ass

 

[crazyd74]

I'd rather take the example of better players as Hutson is far more in their range (Price and Subban).

Both Subban and Price could've been extended for far more than 8 years in 2012, at around 15-16mil for both, which would've limited cap space in the first few years, but would've become massive discounts later on, as they totalled nearly 20 mil at the end point when Price's new contract kicked-in. You can also avoid NMCs this way.

With an ever increasing cap, it's always better to sign stars early and for long term. Gotta have good evaluation though.

This for me is the unicorn and rainbow scenario. All is good, warm and fuzzy. Imagine if we had signed Drouin to the same contract as Slaf. You may have avoided a NMC on paper, but he would of been impossible to move or moved with massive retention or lost of assets.

Add to that all the media circus and affect on the locker room.

I do agree and understand the strategy and do agree that your confidence level as a GM of your scouting team must been threw the roof Because, you won't win every time this way and when you'll lose the ill effects are lasting and may run deep in your organization.

What can I say, I'm overly cautious by nature

 

[Essenege]

Brock Faber signed 8.5M x 8 in 2024. Not a chance he signs under that amount in our high tax market IMO.

Maybe 8M x 6y

 

[WeThreeKings]

Only way I can see this to be the case would be if the GM is unwise. Leveraging the "cap savings" to load on other assets (with terms) in the likes of overpaying assets that aren't in the projected core.

Palat from NJD comes to mind. Gallagher would be another example if we would trade him without retention.

Cap management is also "Timing" management.

Bridge makes sense if you are already competing.. Bridges don't make sense for rebuilding teams because you want your cap savings to come later. That's why it makes sense to lock Slaf and Hutson up immediately, because as the cap rises, the contract will take up a smaller percentage of the cap.

There's nothing to be gained by saving 3-4 million on Slaf's contract in the next two years, but there's plenty to be gained if he's technically underpaid in the final 7 years of his deal and we can use those cap space savings to acquire additional talent to supplement the roster.

 

[MtlSars]

Points are not everything and you knows it. Matheson could pull 70 and still be completely ass

I understand he set expectations with how he ended the season last year and hasn't delivered on them as of yet.

However it's important to highlight the fact that neither Caufield, Hutson or even Suzuki weren't playing in the NHL in their D+2/3. It's his 3rd year but the 1st one was cut short so really this is his sophomore season... Patience will pay off, the kid is good and will get better.

When it comes to Hutson, there's really only 2 ways to go. The smart one is to sign him for 8 years at a small discount as soon as possible. If he doesn't elect that route you sign him cheaper until his last year of RFA status and give him the 8 year then,.... but you'll have to pay a ton more by then. The vibe around the team seems to be good right now, he looks like he likes it here so here's hoping....

How great is it to have actual talent on the team now?!? Been ages since we had that much promise/potential!!!!

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

This for me is the unicorn and rainbow scenario.

That's more of a Slaf scenario than a Hutson one imo.

I wasn't completely onboard with the Slaf contract, because I just don't see as high a ceiling with him than I did Suzuki or Caufield, and now Hutson, so I get what you're saying, but imo doesn't apply to Hutson. His IQ and compete make him a relatively low gamble, which doesn't qualify for the colorful definition you gave.

It also has nothing to do with wisful thinking, but pragmatism torwards winning, where much cap space management is required. If you're always holding off because of a cautionary nature, you'll be stuck paying through the teeth when thry do pan out and will kill all cap flexibility.

 

[HuGo Burner Acc]

He's a Quartexx client, Hughes's firm he started, so it's likely everyone will be gently pushing Hutson torwards an 8 year deal, including his agent, on top of having a built-in excuse to sign long-term and early, as careers can be quickly cut short with injuries, considering his size.

Not every player is a Friedman super self-maximizing machine. Some folks just want security.

Sure that's a very realistic possibility. But at the same time, you make it seem like 6-7 years isn't security. I don't think anyone would be complaining if lane wants his contract to be on the same timeline as someone like Slafkovsky or Caufield

 

[Kaiden Ghoul]

Under 6.5 for 3 years or 4 years next year

He can of course continue what hes doing and maybe there is no somophore slump next year, then we can look for more if it was me...

6.25 x 4 / 25 millions

With Gallagher Andersson Price salary off the hook before Lane final year, we will be okay

And if Lane become a PP specialist like a Ghostisbehere or Krug or who ever, we are not commited for 8 years at nearly 8 millions

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Sure that's a very realistic possibility. But at the same time, you make it seem like 6-7 years isn't security. I don't think anyone would be complaining if lane wants his contract to be on the same timeline as someone like Slafkovsky or Caufield

That's pointless. It's all about what the Habs WILL offer. If it's 8 years and the dollar amount makes sense, hopping on someone else's timeline is secondary and meaningless imo. Habs also should spread them out, instead of having them end on the same year. With one major player to renew per year, a cap increase can easily fill that contract upgrade. If you have two in the same year, you're looking for trouble.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Under 6.5 for 3 years or 4 years next year

He can of course continue what hes doing and maybe there is no somophore slump next year, then we can look for more if it was me...

6.25 x 4 / 25 millions

With Gallagher Andersson Price salary off the hook before Lane final year, we will be okay

And if Lane become a PP specialist like a Ghostisbehere or Krug or who ever, we are not commited for 8 years at nearly 8 millions

That's highly doubtful. He's a -1 at 5vs5 as a 20 year old rookie consistently playing top 4, even top 2 minutes. He's +5 at 5vs5 in his last 16 games.

He's already passed those potentials. He's already better than either at 5vs5. 15 of his 26 points are at ES, so hardly a specialist already. His ppg has him at minimum top 10 all-time as a rookie D performance (58pts). He's also 20 points away from Ghost's rookie season, with 45 games to go.

 

[Kaiden Ghoul]

That's highly doubtful. He's a -1 at 5vs5 as a 20 year old rookie consistently playing top 4, even top 2 minutes. He's +5 at 5vs5 in his last 16 games.

He's already passed those potentials. He's already better than either at 5vs5. 15 of his 26 points are at ES, so hardly a specialist already. His ppg has him at minimum top 10 all-time as a rookie D performance (58pts). He's also 20 points away from Ghost's rookie season, with 45 games to go.

Im just the cautious type, how many time did we saw player contribute right away and stagned or regressed after a few seasons, like i said as of right now, 3-4x 6.25 for me maybe ill eat some crow next year if he continue that pace or if he improve