I believe he will be looking for a pay day, and not one he will be getting as an RFA, so he will take the one year deal and go to UFA the following season having the books opened up for him. Taking a 4 year deal at 3 million as an RFA coming off a terrible season is a dumb idea. You want to make some money, you sign a year deal for wtf ever really, and have yourself a good year going into UFA status and get paid well, and long term. I am looking at this from a player's perspective not the leafs GM.
- shinebox

Taking 12.4 million dollars guaranteed is a dumb idea? No.

Taking a 1 year deal with a team who is run by a coach who will bench you however most certainly is. He can't cash in as a UFA if he gets benched by Hitchcock and scores 15 goals and 30 points again.

He can however cash in if he takes 12.4 million dollars up front and then at the end of the contract, when he's 29, cash in after he's scoring a bunch of goals and points in a free flowing system like Toronto.

If you're going to look at it from the player's perspective, then actually do it. Don't pretend to do it. 12.4 million up front versus getting benched by Hitchcock and having two bad seasons in a row.

Come to think of it, I'd say the Habs would be a team that could go after him. He suits their needs perfectly.
- prock

I agree, but it wont happen, ever. Difference between leaf fans and hab fans is that hab fans have already accepted the fact that no one wants to play there, and that Montreal will have to overpay to sign or trade for anybody. Leaf fans seem to think every superstar in the league wants to take a hometown discount to play there or can be acquired for plugs or dime a dozen players.

Taking 12.4 million dollars guaranteed is a dumb idea? No.

Taking a 1 year deal with a team who is run by a coach who will bench you however most certainly is. He can't cash in as a UFA if he gets benched by Hitchcock and scores 15 goals and 30 points again.

He can however cash in if he takes 12.4 million dollars up front and then at the end of the contract, when he's 29, cash in after he's scoring a bunch of goals and points in a free flowing system like Toronto.
- Unholy_Goalie

Only as in he could cash in for a 20 million deal 4/5 year deal in a year if he is patient and has a respectable year even. As an UFA he holds all the cards, everything, my guess is he will want to go to a contender and not the Leafs, i'm sure we can agree on this much at least.

Only as in he could cash in for a 20 million deal 4/5 year deal in a year if he is patient and has a respectable year even. As an UFA he holds all the cards, everything, my guess is he will want to go to a contender and not the Leafs, i'm sure we can agree on this much at least.
- shinebox

As a UFA, with two 30 point seasons, he controls nothing and definitely not a 5 year, 20 million dollar deal.

If he stays in St. Louis, he risks getting benched again. By getting benched, his numbers and UFA cards go out the window.

If he takes 12.4 million over four years and becomes a UFA at 29, he has a lot more guaranteed money in his pocket and a chance to boost his value.

Only as in he could cash in for a 20 million deal 4/5 year deal in a year if he is patient and has a respectable year even. As an UFA he holds all the cards, everything, my guess is he will want to go to a contender and not the Leafs, i'm sure we can agree on this much at least.
- shinebox

I wouldn't be surprised if he gets something like that now.