Sam Hitchcock: BriseBois's Risky Strategy with Point

Wow extremely well written blog!

It was like reading a Tanner blog that had logical breakdowns and correct usage of words.

My new concern is that the offer sheet for Aho may drive the cost of Point higher than previously assumed. I was sure we would get this done at 8yrX8-8.5 mill. Now i am not convinced even with the tax advantage of Florida. I wonder if the presence of a real accepted offer sheet will light a fire under JBB to get this done right and sooner rather than later.

This blog is an over reaction.

The Lightning probably asked Point to take a bridge deal because that would lower the AAV to allow them to maybe get another free agent since they are in win now mode or maybe just to be prepared for next years cap crunch (Vasy, Serg, Cernak, Cirelli, Joesph) comes up. In negotiations, I am sure offering a bridge deal to start from the Lightning's side won't make Point and his agent think less of the Lightning.

Going back to Yzerman time the bridge is standard protocol for the Lightning as every single player in the top six for the Lightning besides Stamkos (so Kucherov, Johnson, Palat, Killorn, and Gourde) took 2 or 3 year bridge deals under Yzerman's watch. Vasilevskiy took a bridge deal. Even Hedman took a prove it deal with Yzerman.

Its been reported that Point wants to stay in Tampa, maybe that intention is known by the Lightning so they continue to hash out a deal knowing he won't sign an offer sheet.

There are so many high quality RFAs right now and from what I can tell now only 2 are signed (Aho not sure which team he will be on and Meier). Aho's deal set the market and the domino's will start to fall with all these high quality RFAs now.

This was a really good read. Too often a point of view is presented without a good evaluation of the underlying issues.

The dominant theme coming through is the idea that Stamkos and Hedman are the veteran presence and although they may best represent the long term history of the Bolts...times are changing and the younger guys will be called on to take on the leadership of the team soon enough.

By extension, it causes me to wonder that if push comes to shove the Lightening should explore moving the older guys before risking the loss of one of the future stars.

Not sure that was your intended message but it certainly got me thinking.

You know the Leafs are watching close. So far, Brisebois seems to have a better feel for coping with the pressures of growing an elite team when operating under the pressures of a very tight CAP.

How I would handle the Point Negotiations:

Step 1: Set a meeting with Point
Step 2: Bring a Briefcase full of cash to the meeting
Step 3: Throw the money at him

Would they be able to match if a team drops a 7X10.5 offer sheet?

Would they be able to match if a team drops a 7X10.5 offer sheet?
- chugger38

Depends.

If it's a team that seems slated for multiple lottery picks in the near future maybe not.

If it's a team in the middle-to-good, JBB would figure it out.

A good blog, but this feels like one of those situations where we'll all sway to one side of the boat based solely on outcome.

JBB gets Point cheap-ish mid to long term? He's a damned genius.
Point holds out, gets OS'd or gets a huge contract after a long standoff? JBB is a bum!

But, then, in sports outcome is all.

Would they be able to match if a team drops a 7X10.5 offer sheet?
- chugger38

I think so. They have 7 days. My guess is they move out other contracts to create cap space.

Would they be able to match if a team drops a 7X10.5 offer sheet?
- chugger38

I don't think you're going to see anyone offer 7 years because they don't want to give up four first round picks.

I'd throw a 5 year $10.568M AAV offer sheet at him all day though. Only a two 1st's, a 2nd, and a 3rd for Point? Sign me up for that right now.

I wonder if he will end up making more than Stamkos. Wouldn't mind him being signed to a deal similar to Aho's offer sheet, but would want more term.

Just sign him. Pay him $10 per if necessary.

He is younger than Stamkos with more peak years ahead of him. He is arguably worth more than Stamkos in terms of pay - if his production continues at a similar clip.

He is a center and Kucherov is a wing, so he is arguably worth more pay than Kuch.

I don't have a problem with paying him $10 if the cap will allow.

But, I stand by my long-standing prediction - 4 or 5 at $8 to $8.5 per.

An offer sheet could change that, so Briesbois should just eat some cash and sign him already.

Just sign him. Pay him $10 per if necessary.

He is younger than Stamkos with more peak years ahead of him. He is arguably worth more than Stamkos in terms of pay - if his production continues at a similar clip.

He is a center and Kucherov is a wing, so he is arguably worth more pay than Kuch.

I don't have a problem with paying him $10 if the cap will allow.

But, I stand by my long-standing prediction - 4 or 5 at $8 to $8.5 per.

An offer sheet could change that, so Briesbois should just eat some cash and sign him already.
- GalacticStone

I think that's probably what's going to happen: a 4-5 bridge at $8m.

Part of me says, eh, just lock him up.... but, then I see how contracts start falling off around 2024 and think... yeah, this might be the way to go re: cap management.

That said, he may cost a hell of a lot more, at that point...

Sign Point. Let’s hope there is more coming on defense because right now it’s a mess

Sign Point. Let’s hope there is more coming on defense because right now it’s a mess
- leafluver27

I've been wondering this for a while, but are you a Leafs or Lightning fan?

I've been wondering this for a while, but are you a Leafs or Lightning fan?
- jvar17

Y

Y
- leafluver27

Just curious because your name is leafluver27 with your team as the Maple Leafs, but you post a lot on the Lightning blogs.

Just curious because your name is leafluver27 with your team as the Maple Leafs, but you post a lot on the Lightning blogs.
- jvar17

Post a lot on a lot of hockey blogs. Usually leave a blog when people get either nasty or stupid. Been watching hockey since, honestly, the day I was born on a Saturday in October cradled in my Daddy’s arms. He’s a red wing fan
Absolutely LOVE hockey!!!

Post a lot on a lot of hockey blogs. Usually leave a blog when people get either nasty or stupid. Been watching hockey since, honestly, the day I was born on a Saturday in October cradled in my Daddy’s arms. He’s a red wing fan
Absolutely LOVE hockey!!!
- leafluver27

Live in Tampa and have season tickets

Live in Tampa and have season tickets
- leafluver27

So are you a Leafs fan first and when they come to town and play the Lightning you switch allegiance at the game and wear your Leafs sweater? If this is the case I am curious to know how this works for someone with season tickets to a team that is not their favorite. Especially being in the same division and a rival to their favorite team at that.

So are you a Leafs fan first and when they come to town and play the Lightning you switch allegiance at the game and wear your Leafs sweater? If this is the case I am curious to know how this works for someone with season tickets to a team that is not their favorite. Especially being in the same division and a rival to their favorite team at that.
- stammerman

So I live in Tampa
Love hockey
Have season tickets
Attend all games, maybe miss a couple
Definitely attend all playoff games in whatever city I’m in because I travel a bit
Anything else fan police?

So I live in Tampa
Love hockey
Have season tickets
Attend all games, maybe miss a couple
Definitely attend all playoff games in whatever city I’m in because I travel a bit
Anything else fan police?
- leafluver27

Was asking a legit question? Sorry you took it wrong. I just found your response interesting. For example I don't think I could have season tickets to a team that is not my team even if I live in that city, besides going to my teams games I would go to other games but probably only to see certain players I want to see but that would be about it. I wouldn't be connected to that team enough even if I lived there for me to care, guess I am team specific fan. So if I were to say you are a hockey lover over team specific fan that would be correct? Nothing wrong with that.

Was asking a legit question? Sorry you took it wrong. I just found your response interesting. For example I don't think I could have season tickets to a team that is not my team even if I live in that city, besides going to my teams games I would go to other games but probably only to see certain players I want to see but that would be about it. I wouldn't be connected to that team enough even if I lived there for me to care, guess I am team specific fan. So if I were to say you are a hockey lover over team specific fan that would be correct? Nothing wrong with that.
- stammerman

Sorry felt the interrogation light lol
Grew up in rinks. Rink rat. Living in Tampa makes that difficult.
If I lived in another city that had nhl team I’d have tickets to them to. Watch every playoff game, every season.
Love hockey!!!

Was asking a legit question? Sorry you took it wrong. I just found your response interesting. For example I don't think I could have season tickets to a team that is not my team even if I live in that city, besides going to my teams games I would go to other games but probably only to see certain players I want to see but that would be about it. I wouldn't be connected to that team enough even if I lived there for me to care, guess I am team specific fan. So if I were to say you are a hockey lover over team specific fan that would be correct? Nothing wrong with that.
- stammerman

Don’t have season tickets but attend a good number of games, I only wear my lightning jersey in Tampa.

Don’t have season tickets but attend a good number of games, I only wear my lightning jersey in Tampa.
- Leafsandbolts

Been a long time since I’ve worn a jersey. The kids have a bunch of them.
Any one heard any bolts rumors? Point gets signed. No worries there. The other RFA’s shouldn’t be a problem. Trouba gone. Wonder if Risto still getting moved or anyone else Brisbois could be targeting.