Darn. I was hoping he would get like $12m per
- BigDre

Like I hope Connor becomes the highest paid player for the next decade.

I say 6.75 for 6 or 8. Treliving likes having big contracts end on different years. Though 8 might be a little long.
Giving him more than 6.75 sets a precedent for Bennett (who having seen his Instagram, loves nice Audi's), and Tkachuk.

But anyways. I'm more inclined to give Bennett an 8 year deal than I am with Johnny. He's still not a sure PPG player imo.

I say 6.75 for 6 or 8. Treliving likes having big contracts end on different years. Though 8 might be a little long.
Giving him more than 6.75 sets a precedent for Bennett (who having seen his Instagram, loves nice Audi's), and Tkachuk.

But anyways. I'm more inclined to give Bennett an 8 year deal than I am with Johnny. He's still not a sure PPG player imo.
- BobHartley

So having not seen any preseason games so far, does Tkachuck stick with the team? Or will he be sent down.

I hope they do whats best for his development and not keep him up just so he can learn from Bouma.

Like I hope Connor becomes the highest paid player for the next decade.
- DuranDuran

Oh he likely will be. I've already conditioned myself to accept this fact.

It's all a ruse...

Sign and trade to Philly coming!
- dragonoffrost

Whew, finally a taker for Wideman!

Whew, finally a taker for Wideman!
- geta02it

Gudas-Wideman...

Nobody on the ice be safe.

Gudas-Wideman...

Nobody on the ice be safe.
- Wildschwein

Gudas-Wideman...

Nobody on the ice be safe.
- Wildschwein

Perfect for Philly.

So having not seen any preseason games so far, does Tkachuck stick with the team? Or will he be sent down.

I hope they do whats best for his development and not keep him up just so he can learn from Bouma.
- DuranDuran

Tkachuk hasn't wowed enough to think he'll be sticking with the team....they might give him some regular season games to see if he starts to show anything more, but I don't think he's ready.
He played on a line with Bennett who did most of the dazzling and making nice feeds to Brouwer or Tkachuk, but honestly Tkachuk himself didn't separate his individual play over some of the guys who've already been cut (like I think even Porier would have looked semi-decent playing with Bennett... Jankowski even more so)

And to think of the grief I took yesterday from those thinking this had been beaten to death...

Personally, I would pay the guy $8M for his production alone, which is why I am sure Treliving is glad I am not in the room! Hopefully it ends up closer to 7 than 8, but I will just be glad to have this guy locked up and for the conversation to be about when we start negotiations with Bennett (who should get a bridge deal IMO), our 2017/2018 goalie(s) and when Wideman will get traded
- rmull905

don't be so hard on your self. i'm sure theres more reasons why you aren't in the room

Tkachuk hasn't wowed enough to think he'll be sticking with the team....they might give him some regular season games to see if he starts to show anything more, but I don't think he's ready.
He played on a line with Bennett who did most of the dazzling and making nice feeds to Brouwer or Tkachuk, but honestly Tkachuk himself didn't separate his individual play over some of the guys who've already been cut (like I think even Porier would have looked semi-decent playing with Bennett... Jankowski even more so)
- cpltanto

giving janko and Tkachuk a year in the AHL I think will do a lot for them. Janko....needs to get used to the rougher non college style.

Tkachuk, he plays a big mans game, so a year of working out will do a lot for him. Rushing a player that plays hard like that just opens the door for an early career injury...we're not the oilers, we can let him what

Let Shink get the play time and Freddie .... its that mystery of who the 1st line RW is that hangs on us still. I think we're going to see some experts all year there.

JG/Money/constant rotation, starting with Frolik
Shink/Bennet/Brouwer
Ferland/Backs/Chiasson (poirier)
Freddie/Stajan/bouma

giving janko and Tkachuk a year in the AHL I think will do a lot for them. Janko....needs to get used to the rougher non college style.

Tkachuk, he plays a big mans game, so a year of working out will do a lot for him. Rushing a player that plays hard like that just opens the door for an early career injury...we're not the oilers, we can let him what

Let Shink get the play time and Freddie .... its that mystery of who the 1st line RW is that hangs on us still. I think we're going to see some experts all year there.

JG/Money/constant rotation, starting with Frolik
Shink/Bennet/Brouwer
Ferland/Backs/Chiasson (poirier)
Freddie/Stajan/bouma
- numbear

Tkachuk can't play in the AHL this season

I say 6.75 for 6 or 8. Treliving likes having big contracts end on different years. Though 8 might be a little long.
Giving him more than 6.75 sets a precedent for Bennett (who having seen his Instagram, loves nice Audi's), and Tkachuk.

But anyways. I'm more inclined to give Bennett an 8 year deal than I am with Johnny. He's still not a sure PPG player imo.
- BobHartley

Yea I think if it's gonna be 6 or 7 years, we'll sneak him under 7 million

Yea I think if it's gonna be 6 or 7 years, we'll sneak him under 7 million
- cpltanto

Lets not get crazy now. He may sign for under 8 but I'd bet my left nut he doesn't go below 7.

Lets not get crazy now. He may sign for under 8 but I'd bet my left nut he doesn't go below 7.
- Wildschwein

deal

Like I hope Connor becomes the highest paid player for the next decade.
- DuranDuran

He probably will.

What I don't get is that Gaudreau is basically where Eberle was after his first 2 years, yet he wants Crosby $. It's crazy

giving janko and Tkachuk a year in the AHL I think will do a lot for them. Janko....needs to get used to the rougher non college style.

Tkachuk, he plays a big mans game, so a year of working out will do a lot for him. Rushing a player that plays hard like that just opens the door for an early career injury...we're not the oilers, we can let him what

Let Shink get the play time and Freddie .... its that mystery of who the 1st line RW is that hangs on us still. I think we're going to see some experts all year there.

JG/Money/constant rotation, starting with Frolik
Shink/Bennet/Brouwer
Ferland/Backs/Chiasson (poirier)
Freddie/Stajan/bouma
- numbear

I'm pretty sure Tkachuk's only options are NHL or junior.

He probably will.

What I don't get is that Gaudreau is basically where Eberle was after his first 2 years, yet he wants Crosby $. It's crazy
- BigDre

Haha...eberle is a good secondary player....the Flames revolve around gaudreau. They arent comparable.

Tkachuk can't play in the AHL this season
- flashfire

I am pretty sure he has done all he needs to do in Jr. But I think its best not to have him in the NHL if he is not ready.

GOD dammit!

I say 6.75 for 6 or 8. Treliving likes having big contracts end on different years. Though 8 might be a little long.
Giving him more than 6.75 sets a precedent for Bennett (who having seen his Instagram, loves nice Audi's), and Tkachuk.

But anyways. I'm more inclined to give Bennett an 8 year deal than I am with Johnny. He's still not a sure PPG player imo.
- BobHartley

Why more inclined on Bennett exactly though? He has not demonstrated anything close to JG production, and does not yet have a defined position/role on the team?

If it was 8 years at a super reasonable salary, sure, who wouldn't, but I would have a hard time committing anything serious in terms of dollar or term to SB based on 1 year of so-so production vs 2 years of elite production from JG.

What is quite interesting in my opinion, is that he and Johnny's Home/Road splits are directly inverse, which makes me think that, at home, he is drawing the tougher assignment and on the road, the opposition stacks against the first line and he has an easier time of things... Which is also why sometimes the home/road argument has no bearing on an argument of a player's worth.

don't be so hard on your self. i'm sure theres more reasons why you aren't in the room
- numbear

Yeah, I get a little gassy sometimes...

giving janko and Tkachuk a year in the AHL I think will do a lot for them. Janko....needs to get used to the rougher non college style.

Tkachuk, he plays a big mans game, so a year of working out will do a lot for him. Rushing a player that plays hard like that just opens the door for an early career injury...we're not the oilers, we can let him what

Let Shink get the play time and Freddie .... its that mystery of who the 1st line RW is that hangs on us still. I think we're going to see some experts all year there.

JG/Money/constant rotation, starting with Frolik
Shink/Bennet/Brouwer
Ferland/Backs/Chiasson (poirier)
Freddie/Stajan/bouma
- numbear

Tkachuk needs a solid year back in Junior to work on his skating. He can go back to London, win another Memorial Cup with Parsons (especially if the Leafs send Marner back again) , he can Captain the US team at the World Jr's to a good showing, concentrate on his two way game, and come back next year with a fire in his belly to make the team. He just isn't ready, and that's good, because it will buy the Flames one more year before having to sign him to his next contract.

I think the Flames are really going to go with their pairs.
Johnny and Mony
Bennett and Brouwer
Backlund and Bennett
And then fill in the blanks.

As much as I'd prefer he didn't, I think Korpikospi has a chance to make this team. He'd actually fit in quite nicely with Backs and Frolik.
He has speed to burn, and
I'd like to see Ferland with Bennett, if he can find some consistency. What a punishing line they could be, with offensive potential.

Not sure if Chiasson will fit the bill on the top line, but without 13 and 23 playing right now, it's tough to see who has the best shot there. Regardless who gets plugged in there, Johnny and Mony will make it work.

There's certainly a few jobs on the line with the others. I really want to see Hathaway cracks this lineup, but Bouma probably gets the benefit of a 1way contract working in his favour.
Hopefully Treliving can find a place for Bolig to land so we don't have to watch him taking up minutes a younger player could be developing with.

On D. A Wideman trade is the best case scenario, but I'm not holding my breath. Wotherspoon and Kulak probably battle for the last spot . Where both could make the team if Wideman could be moved.
Kulak has the edge in my view. He doesn't make mistakes and isn't afraid to jump up on the rush, while also not having any problems getting back to defend. Wotherspoon plays a more reserved, safe game, but gets the job done.

Why more inclined on Bennett exactly though? He has not demonstrated anything close to JG production, and does not yet have a defined position/role on the team?

If it was 8 years at a super reasonable salary, sure, who wouldn't, but I would have a hard time committing anything serious in terms of dollar or term to SB based on 1 year of so-so production vs 2 years of elite production from JG.

What is quite interesting in my opinion, is that he and Johnny's Home/Road splits are directly inverse, which makes me think that, at home, he is drawing the tougher assignment and on the road, the opposition stacks against the first line and he has an easier time of things... Which is also why sometimes the home/road argument has no bearing on an argument of a player's worth.
- rmull905

Ummm....Johnny is on the first line.

Tkachuk needs a solid year back in Junior to work on his skating. He can go back to London, win another Memorial Cup with Parsons (especially if the Leafs send Marner back again) , he can Captain the US team at the World Jr's to a good showing, concentrate on his two way game, and come back next year with a fire in his belly to make the team. He just isn't ready, and that's good, because it will buy the Flames one more year before having to sign him to his next contract.

I think the Flames are really going to go with their pairs.
Johnny and Mony
Bennett and Brouwer
Backlund and Bennett
And then fill in the blanks.

As much as I'd prefer he didn't, I think Korpikospi has a chance to make this team. He'd actually fit in quite nicely with Backs and Frolik.
He has speed to burn, and
I'd like to see Ferland with Bennett, if he can find some consistency. What a punishing line they could be, with offensive potential.

Not sure if Chiasson will fit the bill on the top line, but without 13 and 23 playing right now, it's tough to see who has the best shot there. Regardless who gets plugged in there, Johnny and Mony will make it work.

There's certainly a few jobs on the line with the others. I really want to see Hathaway cracks this lineup, but Bouma probably gets the benefit of a 1way contract working in his favour.
Hopefully Trekking can find a place for Bolivia to land so we don't have to watch him taking up minutes a younger player could be developing with.

On D. A Wideman trade is the best case scenario, but I'm not holding my breath. Wotherspoon and Kulak probably battle for the last spot . Where both could make the team if Wideman could be moved.
Kulak has the edge in my view. He doesn't make mistakes and isn't afraid to jump up on the rush, while also not having any problems getting back to defend. Wotherspoon plays a more reserved, safe game, but gets the job done.
- InSutterWeTrust

Trekking in the Andes is fun.

Meh. May as well take the time it takes. It would take more than Gaudreau in the lineup to get the Flames into the postseason this year.