Problem for Dean is that he has handed out too many long term deals. Sometimes you just gotta cut a man loose. He should have started with Richards, but Dean got too sentimental.
Brown deserved to get paid IMO. He took a hometown discount for years, and then when he signed his deal he was coming off a lockout shortened season where he was on a pace for 30 goals. However, the term was and is ridiculous. If he wouldn't sign the shorter term deal, then you have to part ways. Better a year too early, than a year too late. Now for the Kings, parting ways with Brown at his current AAV, may be several years too late.
This is why the owners will step in and eliminate 8 year contracts in the next CBA. The point behind the 8-year deal is to lock up guys like Toffoli and Doughty on their second contracts, not hand out retirement deals to players approaching 30 years of age. GMs have mismanaged the long term contract tool.
If this was the NFL, Dustin Brown would have been cut after last season.
