That's a lot of dough for a dude who's built like Shania Twain.

Why did you guys let that guy go? solid bottom 6 player.
- FiretheGM

sure...

Marc Staal only had 11 pts last year. Man he sucks!
- LeftCoaster

fail

Oilers locking up one of their younger players ,not much to see really .As far a the term and dollar amount ,it doesnt matter they need players. And havent had much luck attracting them through FA

um... what?

Eberle scored 34 goals his 2nd year, Hall 27 (in 61 gp) and Hall had 22 in 65 gp as a rookie.

RNH scored 4 goals last year. sure he had a pile of assists as a rookie, but let's not pretend RNH is the reason Eberle scored 34...

He may very well earn this contract, but he certainly hasn't yet
- Big_Lightnin

Agreed.

why don't the Oilers try a bridge contract one time?

If 4 goals in 40 games warrants a $42 million deal what are the Oilers going to do if Nail scores 30 this coming season!?

Using a simple equation, if 4 goals = $6 million a year, then 30 goals = $42 million a season.

Man, dont be one of those guys who doesn't get it. Come April, no one will second guess this.
- FiretheGM

The pros outweigh the cons in a big way. There is alot more risk in this contract though than Hall & Eberle, but as long as he isn't broken in half and has a good season, this contract is a total steal for alot of years.

The best part about it is that we all know what Yakupov's contract will look like next year, and so does he, even if he scores 40G. Hemsky leaving at the end of the year frees up almost $3m and that includes Yak's raise.

The pros outweigh the cons in a big way. There is alot more risk in this contract though than Hall & Eberle, but as long as he isn't broken in half and has a good season, this contract is a total steal for alot of years.

The best part about it is that we all know what Yakupov's contract will look like next year, and so does he, even if he scores 40G. Hemsky leaving at the end of the year frees up almost $3m and that includes Yak's raise.
- kingbrehm

Playoff hockey will take care of that

If 4 goals in 40 games warrants a $42 million deal what are the Oilers going to do if Nail scores 30 this coming season!?

Using a simple equation, if 4 goals = $6 million a year, then 30 goals = $42 million a season.
- iknowbest

Have you noticed the pattern? $6m for the kids. Yak gets $6m next year. With Hemsky leaving it more that covers the raise due to Yakupov

2) He is little and needs to fill out so he doesn't get hurt so frequently
- kingbrehm

Apparently he is 10 or 15lbs heavier, which is pretty good IMO. Secondly, now that this injury from junior is fixed maybe this re-occuring shoulder issue dissappears?

RNH scored 4 goals last year
- jimbro83

I hope that isn't the only argument you have or this won't take long.

Have you noticed the pattern? $6m for the kids. Yak gets $6m next year. With Hemsky leaving it more that covers the raise due to Yakupov
- kingbrehm

Oh, they all get $6 million? Why didn't you say, that makes them all great contracts.

why don't the Oilers try a bridge contract one time?
- jimbro83

Gagner, Sam

Apparently he is 10 or 15lbs heavier, which is pretty good IMO. Secondly, now that this injury from junior is fixed maybe this re-occuring shoulder issue dissappears?
- Lahey

I didn't see that he bulked up that much, if so then he is well on his way.

For those that suggest it was a crazy, overpayment to offer RNH 7 years @ $6 million per, there are 2 things to keep in mind:

1) Offering him less sends an implicit message that he is a less valued player to the team then Hall or Eberle

2) For it to be a crazy contract offer should suggest that it is an offer that other teams would not be willing to make, and I am certain there are plenty of teams that would offer RNH $6 MILL + if given the opportunity!

Dunno about this one. I mean he's a former 1st overall pick and has plenty of talent but the deal doesn't really make sense.

The whole point of giving out contracts like this to young players is that your hoping that halfway through it he'll be worth more than his pay thus making it a bargain deal.

If the Oilers had given him a bridge deal, would he really be worth more than 7X6 after two years? I like the length but the dollars are a little high. That being said if you're going to take a big risk on a young player, a former 1st overall pick is probably your best bet.

um... what?

Eberle scored 34 goals his 2nd year, Hall 27 (in 61 gp) and Hall had 22 in 65 gp as a rookie.

RNH scored 4 goals last year. sure he had a pile of assists as a rookie, but let's not pretend RNH is the reason Eberle scored 34...

He may very well earn this contract, but he certainly hasn't yet
- Big_Lightnin

RNH PPG in first two seasons: 0.75
Eberle PPG in first two seasons: 0.80
Hall PPG in first two seasons: 0.75

why don't the Oilers try a bridge contract one time?
- jimbro83

We did and we had to continually resign him to 1 year contracts every year until he got what he wanted.

I’m not saying that either player will be worth a $6 million annual salary when that time comes, but the Oilers are guaranteed that they won’t have to pay either player any more than the $6 million being made by Hall, Eberle and RNH.

No. No, they're not.

Playoff hockey will take care of that
- Whiskey-Tango

Like how the slender Sedin twins are now retired after playing in so many gladiator-themed playoff games? Come on.

For those that suggest it was a crazy, overpayment to offer RNH 7 years @ $6 million per, there are 2 things to keep in mind:

1) Offering him less sends an implicit message that he is a less valued player to the team then Hall or Eberle

2) For it to be a crazy contract offer should suggest that it is an offer that other teams would not be willing to make, and I am certain there are plenty of teams that would offer RNH $6 MILL + if given the opportunity!
- JasonHarrison

That's not a fair comparison. If you told me I could offer sheet RNH and get him for 6 mil I would do it because in those cases it usually takes a mammoth offer of biblical proportions to pry away an RFA. The current scenario is different since RNH is property of the oilers for another 5 years?

I hope that isn't the only argument you have or this won't take long.
- MaximumBone

ok, how about he only scored quatro goals last year?

why don't the Oilers try a bridge contract one time?
- jimbro83

Hey, is Stepan signed?

That's a lot of dough for a dude who's built like Shania Twain.
- Fotiu666

His tits are bigger though