If you accept that both management and agent have displayed barriers to deal-making in the past, then the raise in offer is the most telling bit of information. They both grind over nickles and dimes imo.
In the end, we will know the salary amount.
management has only had to negotiate one ELC for a 1st round pick since they got here and he signed - without a scintilla of hoopla - a contract that was consistent with his draft slot/year. Picks outside of the first round have fallen into place as expected too.
you're comparing how they've negotiated with pending free agents, the vast majority of whom were soon to be unrestricted.
Just go back and read some of slick ricks musings on April 1st, two weeks before his season actually ended:
"“Knowing his representative, they will likely do what they feel is best for his career long-term in earning power. What does the actual contract look like? It could come down to a battle over the scheduled performance bonuses. Canucks may be trying to sign Willander to the same performance bonuses that Jonathan Lekkerimäki got two years ago. Keep that one in mind."
“Willander has certainly met or exceeded his draft position with his stellar play. Maybe the bonuses he feels should be higher. Do you burn a year of the contract? Do you play the rest of the year in Abbotsford? Going back to school,
I’ve been told, for a third season is now an option as well. There are a lot of things in play.”
Cubic Zirconia and Co. started whining about the Canucks offer before there even was one. And that line about doing "what's best for his long term earnings power". comic f***ing gold. "Tommy, instead of signing the ELC being offered (which 99%+ prospects in his position would do) and earning a spot on the Canucks next season where you'll make $975k and up to another $600K in bonuses, we think you should head back to BU and make SFA"
