You know the funny thing, Glen Sather was one of two people - according to Gretzky - who did not want him to sign the 20 year personal services contract in 1979 for the Oilers. Not that he didn't believe in him, but he just didn't agree with giving anyone that long of a contract. Gretzky still signed it, and if I recall his father Walter was someone who helped persuade him. Ace Bailey was the other guy who didn't like the idea of him signing it. Anyway, what I am getting at is that this was Gretzky, on the verge of shattering the record books and taking pretty much all the records to his grave. If anyone deserved a long contract it was him. But this idea of even 8 year contracts is just too much. There is too much risk for a team to do this. Matthews already is showing signs of bizarre injuries and he's never been a full season type of player anyway. Agents and the NHLPA and such will demand these big contracts but barely anyone is worth it. And Bedard is not one of them either, especially what we've seen so far. He is a gem yes, but you need to do a lot more than that. That being said, I think he asks for 8 years and maybe $15 million. It wouldn't shock me if that is the asking price.