If the Rangers were worried about term, why did someone with concussions and had a tendency to not show up for the playoffs get 8.5x8 as a 1C from them? There are so many players on the NYR roster you could point to be worried about term but to pick the best player in the world at his position is certainly a choice. He's worthy every penny and this is coming from a rival fan, he almost stole 2023 Round 1 from us and he's stolen games in playoff series that have titled the playoffs in NYR's favor, multiple times v Carolina over the years come to mind as well. You don't pay him and there's teams who will gladly step up and pay him top dollar in UFA on July 1 next year.
Clearly, I see where you stand here. I have been watching this game for almost 40 years. You don't fix a mistake by making it again. I watched this unfold when Henrik was in the same position. I started a thread asking if he were really in the drivers seat. I got the same reaction you give me today.
My point is this. Don't overpay if you're the only one really in the auction.
Who out there can offer more than 8x11? Who are the contenders? If you want to go sign with a bottom feeder with space so you can fill your wallet, I get it. But I also know you aren't my guy if I give you a comparable ballpark offer with a chance to win and you turn it down.
I let him test the market and ask him, instead of a hometown discount, to give us the courtesy of letting us match the offer. I think that's fair. We love you and don't expect you to leave money on the table. If there were no cap, you get whatever you ask for. But we can't waste space without hurting our chances to win
