Originally put this post in the Swayman trade value link but probably belongs over here.
Good idea. See my last comment, below.
10 mil or + is ridiculous in my mind. I'd give him 8 on a long term contract,( more than he deserves in my mind), less on a short term contract.
That's probably generous, but possibly do-able. The 8x8-ish range might very well be the end result here.
If he doesn't like it , let him sit out.
Yeah, we all feel that way once in a while, but easier said than done. I'm still sore over the most recent Leafs' holdouts with the very same agent, but we get over it. I don't know that missing an entire season over an RFA contract dispute has ever happened.
Don't forget all these ridiculous contracts and increasing caps just get passed on to the fans to pay for it. An average fan can't afford to go to too many or possibly any games and it keeps getting worse.
You're completely off base here. Ticket prices are based on supply and demand, and have nothing at all to do with the cost of player salaries.
Under the current CBA, if player salaries are more or less than 50% of league-wide revenue then they are adjusted up or down to make it 50%. That way, revenue determines the size of the salary pool, not the other way around.
I agree that games are too expensive for the ordinary family to attend, but that's because of high demand for tickets, not because of high player salaries.
The only way to bring down ticket prices is for sales to slump because price depends on consumer demand. The fact that so many people are still willing to pay such exorbitant prices reminds me of the late great Yogi Berra, who was reputed to say "No one goes there anymore because it's too crowded!"
I do remember that as a junior high school student in Windsor Park I could afford to watch Bobby Hull in person play for the Jets from my paper route earnings. Times have sure changed, eh?
I think GM's have to draw the line at some point and these ridiculous contracts will hurt the team overall. Look at the leafs the last 5 years as an example, 4 ridiculous contracts have left little for the rest of the team and it has showed. It only takes a few really bad contracts to severely impact the potential of a team.
Yeah, I quite agree. The Leafs have suffered from a hollowing out of the middle of their roster. I don't follow too many other teams, but I'm sure they're not alone. Too many big stars can mean there's not enough salary-cap room to build a well-rounded team.
Have to admire Yzerman in Detroit, getting most of his stars signed long term around 8 mil.
Big Yzerman fan here, too. He builds for the long-term, which I wish the Leafs had the self-discipline to do as well.
I also think Korpisalo will be a better goalie on the Bruins than Ottawa and Swayman wouldn't be quite as good on a weaker defensive team. Will be interesting to see how Ullmark does with Ottawa this year. Be interesting to see how ready Bussi is as well.
Pat Burns made Felix Potvin look really terrific for a few seasons, when the Leafs had a strong defence and could really clear the puck from their own end.
I loved Ken Dryden, but it's no coincidence that he played behind Larry Robinson, Serge Savard and Guy Lapointe -- who rotated on and off pretty much the whole game -- and forwards like Bob Gainey and Doug Jarvis.
Good defensive teams go hand in hand with good goalies.
Yes , Sweeney screwed up trading Ullmark first and he can concede to Swayman at the expense of the hockey franchise or hold his ground. If there is no middle ground for Swayman , he should let him sit.
Hey, Old-Timer, I was an old Winnipeg Jets' fan too going back to 1970 when I used to watch them play in the WCHL and then the WHA at the Winnipeg Arena before I moved to Southern Ontario ten years later. Kindred spirits here.
You know, that "Enter" key can create paragraphs that parse out your thoughts and make much easier to follow.
I've read through your post and inserted my own comments, above.
Cheers!