I'm not sure if I like how JD/Jarmo come out of this. I think the deal with Joey is an absolute steal on the team's part, but it doesn't line up right for the team's long-term cap situation. Here we are underpaying Joey when we have loads of cap room, and he'll be on the market when we don't have much room. I'd have preferred a long term deal.
I wouldn't say it's a steal. I would say that the first 2 years are at CBJ's number. The 3rd year is an "insurance" policy for RyJo, and he has arbitration rights for year 4, leading to leverage in long-term negotiations. But his big leverage is if he performs - if not, then any long-term deal either stays at $6M (or thereabouts), or CBJ doesn't re-sign him. I agree with ILZ (yes) that the likelihood is that RyJo performs and that he gets max contract for well more than $6M for years 4-9 (or 4-11).
Several here preferred longer term deal done now, but there was no way based on current environment. RyJo and agent would not do long term for anything but huge dollars (and rightfully so if they believe RyJo is $10M talent, and we want him to be that), and CBJFO would not commit huge dollars based on one year's stud performance (again rightfully so IMO). How much should have been offered to RyJO to sign for 6 years? The offer was $32M, and I would think CBJ would have been reluctant to go beyond $36M given all parameters. It appeared that RyJo would not have taken $36/6 anyway - that the UFA years and raised cap in those years will yield $8M or more per year.
Not saying perfect, not from CBJ club perspective - but it couldn't be unless RyJo had been willing to sign for less than what appears to be market value for future UFA years. Superstars take contract hits for the good of the team ---once they are financially secure and can see all the big picture. RyJo, as good as he is/may be, has not earned huge dollars (in terms of NHL, not real life), and probably should not be expected to take a salary hit for the good of the team - yet. That may happen in year 3-4 with a hometown discount (though I doubt it). But it may happen in the extension after next.
We now know what RyJo's market value is for the only 2 parties that mattered. In some ways they kicked the can down the road, exactly like a pure 2yr bridge, but with the insurance for RyJo on the end (a carrot earned). I take Jarmo's frustration as in large part "sheesh - why didn't KO (and us) get this done months ago, when the season wouldn't be affected..." He is up to his eyeballs in GM issues, what with Horton and Jenner out and camp closing. If RyJo up to speed in 2 weeks, this will look like good resolution. After weighing all variables, the worst case scenario seems to be that it cost CBJ $6M for one potentially bad year. All other variables are that RyJo is worth more, which while a cap space concern will be a good problem to have.
