When do Parssinen, Tomasino, and Del Gaizo finally cave in? It's September now, rookie camp starts in 8 days, the 11th, and main camp a week later on the 18th.
What do you think is the holdup?
I can't really see
Del Gaizo asking for much. He can only get a 2-way contract, and his NHL salary can't be any higher than the league minimum. I don't think he could have even really come to the team and asked for as much as what Stastney got in arbitration. I don't see how he could ask for more than, say, a 2-way deal at $775k/$350k... if there is any sticking point, it has to be in the weeds of his AHL salary... Gravel is getting $300k, Blankenburg $350k, Stastney $400k... somewhere in that ballpark shouldn't result in any significant delay?
Parssinen also shouldn't be THAT tough to figure out. I would assume he's basically a lock for the main roster, they aren't going to waive him. So I don't see any reason why the Preds would insist on a 2-way contract for him? If you assume he has to get a 1-way, then the sticking point is only $$$? Somewhere from $775k to $1M? Given his demotion last season, I don't see the argument for more than the $775k. Parssinen should have taken that long ago and continued building goodwill with the organization. If he's asking for more $$$, he's nuts. He should just get in there and play hard for a nice contract next year. Just because the team has a little Cap space now after moving Glass, it doesn't mean he should expect any bigger payday today.
Whereas I can see
Tomasino being a little more prickly about things. He may optimally prefer to play somewhere else. He has put up decent enough production that he could ask for a little more $$$ than the league minimum, while at the same time, I'm sure the Preds don't see him as a sure bet for the lineup. The team might not mind waiving him, while at the same time Tomasino would probably not mind being waived and getting a chance elsewhere. So even though I can see the two sides not seeing eye-to-eye, I think it ultimately has to be in Tomasino's best interest to just take whatever contract the Preds are offering, even if it's league minimum or 2-way... then if he gets waived just go somewhere else and play and try to earn a better contract next summer.