kdb209
Registered User
- Jan 26, 2005
- 14,870
- 6
The Messenger said:Is your goal to get him into the league or out of it??Originally Posted by kdb209
Unfortunately, he's not really free at 25 either. He's an RFA with no arbitration rights - the Caps could low-ball him with an offer just a little bit higher than a Russian Team, then what. He can't even wait it out and become a UFA at 28 - Group III FA requires 4 years in the NHL in addition to the age limit.
Its hard to tell.
So after waiting for 7 years for him to show up the Caps play hard ball with him.
At which time he might be one of the best players in the world at that age.
I was just pointing out that if AO's plans were to play in Russia to avoid the ELS restrictions and then come over and expect an immediate mega bucks ($4M-$6M) payday it is a risky strategy. If he thinks he can command that kind of salary at 25, he would do much better to sign now (19) and he'd already have 3 seasons post ELS when he hit 25, would have a proven NHL track record, be arbitration eligible, and probably sign for more at 25 than if he just came over from Russia then. And based on comments from the Caps GM, that sounds exactly what he is planning to do.