Speculation: The Off-Season Thread Part VI - Are we there yet? (Grabovski to Caps, 1 yr)

[Thirty One]

Too bad it's not fair for his level of ability.

It's fair for a player coming off an ELC with no arbitration rights at his level of ability.

 

[Boruto]

Exactly. I'm not eager to see the Rangers move players out to accommodate Stepan's demands.

To be honest, of all the players, I expected the greatest sensibility in these situation from step. He doesn't seem the type to be afraid of working for the next contract. With Richards half way out the door, he's given top minutes either as 1C or 1.5C. His two way game + chemistry with Nash seems like something that will get him half way to a big contract after bridge. Maybe they're now pushing for something in between a bridge and McD contract. As with all negotiations, it's easiest when both side gives a little and by the looks of it, Sathers and co. isnt moving from 2-years and they don't have much cap to work with either.

If Zucc fought with arb only to get $1,250,000 for 1 year, you know Slats and co. aren't wasting even $100K in cap space if they can help it. I don't think Step and agent are still insisting on a long term deal because it'll take a hold out into the season to get a LTD in the possible and that benefits neither side.

Could it be 3/4 years?

 

[Thirty One]

To be honest, of all the players, I expected the greatest sensibility in these situation from step. He doesn't seem the type to be afraid of working for the next contract. With Richards half way out the door, he's given top minutes either as 1C or 1.5C. His two way game + chemistry with Nash seems like something that will get him half way to a big contract after bridge. Maybe they're now pushing for something in between a bridge and McD contract. As with all negotiations, it's easiest when both side gives a little and by the looks of it, Sathers and co. isnt moving from 2-years and they don't have much cap to work with either.

If Zucc fought with arb only to get $1,250,000 for 1 year, you know Slats and co. aren't wasting even $100K in cap space if they can help it. I don't think Step and agent are still insisting on a long term deal because it'll take a hold out into the season to get a LTD in the possible and that benefits neither side.

Could it be 3/4 years?

A four year deal would take him right to unrestricted free agency and would mean a bigger cap hit. Can't see the Rangers being too eager to do that. I think 2 years is perfect. Gives them 2 chances to negotiate a contract that eats 3-4 UFA years.

 

[smoneil]

From the Rangers standpoint, this has nothing to do with Stepan or what he is "worth." If the Rangers give Stepan a long term deal as an RFA with no arb rights, then that's just going to lead to MORE of their players asking for the same kind of deal on their 2nd contracts. Frankly, we are seeing this a little bit already--Stepan's been looking for "McDonagh money." Give it to Stepan, and Kreider/McI/Miller, etc will ask for "Stepan money." The team has a system. It's how the team is run. Stepan is not bigger than the team, and while he as a player MIGHT be worth more than they are offering, he is not worth scrapping this salary system (which would lead to cap hell and even more contentious RFA battles in the future).

 

[bishop12]

"The team has a system"? lol

Does that include Richads making $10 mill per for looking like an old lady out there?

How on earth Sather continues to keep his job is one of the worlds unsolved mysteries.

 

[Trxjw]

Over 1k. Use the new thread:

http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showthread.php?p=70975653