How do you know it's MB who made a mess and not PK?
How do you know what MB offered on a long term deal?
What if he offered 8 x 8 and PK said no?
What if he offered 8 x 9 and PK said no?

We just don't know... till then, how blame MB more than PK?
- fidopro

I was just asking...

Personally I think it's the GM's job to sign players and avoid situations like this. I understand there's the possibility PK is being difficult, but that's part of the job and why it's not easy. You have to get it done despite the obstacles.

I was just asking...

Personally I think it's the GM's job to sign players and avoid situations like this. I understand there's the possibility PK is being difficult, but that's part of the job and why it's not easy. You have to get it done despite the obstacles.
- ehabs9

Takes two to tango.
So far, MB has been really good, not making many mistakes. I doubt he suddenly became completely stupid...

How do you know it's MB who made a mess and not PK?
How do you know what MB offered on a long term deal?
What if he offered 8 x 8 and PK said no?
What if he offered 8 x 9 and PK said no?

We just don't know... till then, why blame MB more than PK?
- fidopro

Because PK could have been locked at 8.5 and wasn't.

That will be a steal come the future, ergo, MB gets the blame.

How do you know it's MB who made a mess and not PK?
How do you know what MB offered on a long term deal?
What if he offered 8 x 8 and PK said no?
What if he offered 8 x 9 and PK said no?

We just don't know... till then, why blame MB more than PK?
- fidopro

Exactly. And if PK was asking for 9.5 plus i'd tell him to get bent.

Because PK could have been locked at 8.5 and wasn't.

That will be a steal come the future, ergo, MB gets the blame.
- Stee-Dot

Says who? You?

Because PK could have been locked at 8.5 and wasn't.

That will be a steal come the future, ergo, MB gets the blame.
- Stee-Dot

For 1 year?

Those arbitration numbers are for a 1 year deal.

Says who? You?
- fidopro

Is that not what the camp was seeking??

For 1 year?

Those arbitration numbers are for a 1 year deal.
- golfingsince

Oh, my bad. Sorry.

Takes two to tango.
So far, MB has been really good, not making many mistakes. I doubt he suddenly became completely stupid...
- fidopro

Right it takes two to tango, but it's the GM's job to end the dance before it gets messy, that's why they get a decent salary for their trouble, because it's their job to avoid situations like this. If you could just throw your hands up anytime negotiations got hard, or a player was being unreasonable and say don't blame me, there's no reason to put any credentials on being a GM, anyone of us could do it.

Right it takes two to tango, but it's the GM's job to end the dance before it gets messy, that's why they get a decent salary for their trouble, because it's their job to avoid situations like this. If you could just throw your hands up anytime negotiations got hard, or a player was being unreasonable and say don't blame me, there's no reason to put any credentials on being a GM, anyone of us could do it.
- ehabs9

Also, could be that some GMs are FAR too cheap.

See Anthopoulos, Alex.

Right it takes two to tango, but it's the GM's job to end the dance before it gets messy, that's why they get a decent salary for their trouble is because it's their job to avoid situations like this. If you could just throw your hands up anytime negotiations got hard, or a player was being unreasonable and say don't blame me, there's no reason to put any credentials on being a GM, anyone of is could do it.
- ehabs9

And we'll see what he will do. Maybe he'll sign him long term later on, maybe he'll trade him. We'll see. Still lots of time.
I sure don't want a GM who will give up to all requests made by players thinking they are worth to be paid as the best in the business. I like PK a lot, but common, y a des estie de limites!
But again, we don't know what was offered and refused.

Right it takes two to tango, but it's the GM's job to end the dance before it gets messy, that's why they get a decent salary for their trouble, because it's their job to avoid situations like this. If you could just throw your hands up anytime negotiations got hard, or a player was being unreasonable and say don't blame me, there's no reason to put any credentials on being a GM, anyone of us could do it.
- ehabs9

Have you ever considered maybe he doesn't want a long term deal? Would rather go UFA to drive up his value?

Have you ever considered maybe he doesn't want a long term deal? Would rather go UFA to drive up his value?
- golfingsince

Very good point.

Have you ever considered maybe he doesn't want a long term deal? Would rather go UFA to drive up his value?
- golfingsince

Definitely possible, but again it's Bergevin's job to get him to sign even if he's being difficult.

Definitely possible, but again it's Bergevin's job to get him to sign even if he's being difficult.
- ehabs9

So you would sign him what ever the cost is? Is that what you're saying?

So... most likely situation...

PK does not want to stay here, eventually Habs get a buttload for him.

Win-win.

The end.

So you would sign him what ever the cost is? Is that what you're saying?
- fidopro

No that's not what I'm saying, I'm saying it's his job to get him under contract. The ultimatums you're presenting are easy, "Subban is being difficult, not Bergevin's fault". "Give him whatever he wants". If he's really good at his job he'll get him signed to a semi-reasonable contract despite any obstacles that are in his way.

Guys... fighting ain't going to get him signed.

No that's not what I'm saying, I'm saying it's his job to get him under contract. The ultimatums you're presenting are easy, "Subban is being difficult, not Bergevin's fault". "Give him whatever he wants". If he's really good at his job he'll get him signed to a semi-reasonable contract despite obstacles that are in his way.
- ehabs9

That seems pretty easy to say too.

That seems pretty easy to say too.
- fidopro

That's the point, any joe nobody can look at it and say, well there's nothing that can be done. The reason he's got the job is because he's supposed to be able to get it done when most people wouldn't be able to.

Guys... fighting ain't going to get him signed.
- Stee-Dot

I actually believe they'll have a better chance of signing him next year.
I'd like to think that the big difference between both parties was PK's value as a RFA. Once a pending UFA, or with just one RFA year left, I think they'll get it done more easily. Maybe I'm dreaming...

So... most likely situation...

PK does not want to stay here, eventually Habs get a buttload for him.

Win-win.

The end.
- Stee-Dot

The team trading away the best player usually wins the trade

The team trading away the best player usually wins the trade
- muffin_man

Edit: As much as I'd hate to see him go, I don't mind trading him if it's the best option, provided we get a good return. Honestly though, the Habs record in block buster trades is, well you know...

- ehabs9

He is a lifelong tab fan. He wants to be here. If it takes making him the highest paid dman in the league, so be it. I wish the players would be more team-first and take the 7-8M to be more competitive as a team like they do in Boston but it's rarely the case so you can't blame PK alone.

The team trading away the best player usually wins the trade
- muffin_man

One would think but not always. Remember Roy?