You're not signing a relevant free agent without a trade clause in their contract. Offer more money if you want, it won't happen. You can pound your first all you want and it won't change anything.
You think Panarin and his agent are stupid enough to not push for that? You think Panarin is going to leave himself in a vulnerable position of being traded to f***ing Arizona for the last 4 years of his contract?
Free agents have paid their dues. Like it or not, they're the ones that have control over where they sign. You pull a NMC/NTC off the table and you're not signing anyone relevant in today's league.
I disagree to an extent and will take that chance.
Look at Hedman in TB. Don't believe he is not nmc'ed but he is taking less to help the team.
I am not saying, necessarily, we have to pay these guys less, depending on who and the situation.
But we can stick to our guns.
And we can offset your valid concerns in some cases by paying a premium.
So e.g., Zib was 8-ish, maybe he gave a small discount and maybe b'c it was long term he took a little less.
Now if Zib is ONLY gonna be guided by bottom line being in NYC/Rangers and that is >>> than dollar amount, then in that case and specific instance, those are his terms and we have to decide to accept or not.
But before going there, we can explore whether or not to do something like 11 x 3 and limited ntc.
That ^ is my pt.
That and we should make it a policy, no nmcs, as a policy.
We can offer extensive but not 111% workaround ntcs substitute where we want or are willing to negotiate. But no nmcs. Period.
That will push the issue and we will see.
I think we still get top guys.
