I'm all for Hextall keeping his plans close to the chest, but you also don't have to bend over backwards to stretch his words into something they are not either.
How is that bending over backwards?
It's a singular sentence that has been interpreted 2 different ways.
Way #1: Hextall is saying he doesn't want to give up long-term for good players, but will for great players (ala Tavares).
Way #2: HEXTALL ISN'T SPENDING MONEY ON ANYONE OTHER THAN DALE WEISE 2.0
Which one is more of a backflip, really?
Why on earth would Hextall even consider that possibility?
How is that bending over backwards?
It's a singular sentence that has been interpreted 2 different ways.
Way #1: Hextall is saying he doesn't want to give up long-term for good players, but will for great players (ala Tavares).
Way #2: HEXTALL ISN'T SPENDING MONEY ON ANYONE OTHER THAN DALE WEISE 2.0
Which one is more of a backflip, really?
Note: I only sort of exaggerated Way #2. I've already seen people post similar statements.
I'd say its the first one. You're implying that Tavares is in the "GREAT" category in Hextall's head. We do know that Tavares is a good (++) player and he said he's not interested in signing a good player to a 7 year deal. How many good players are there to "reach out" to for a 7 year deal?
Way #1 and Way #2 are both exaggerations.
There's no need to look for hidden meaning in his words.
Isn't Tavares a Top 10 center? Maybe even Top 5?
I don't know on what planet Tavares isn't considered great at this moment, truthfully.
I think it's way more of a leap to assume that Hextall doesn't think he's great.
There's a ton of "good" players you can offer 7 year deals to. For me personally:
-I think John Carlson is "good" (very good is more accurate), but not elite or great.
-Mike Green
-James Neal
-JVR
-Stastny
These are the ones off the top of my head that I see as "good" and not worth a 7 year deal.
I can't see where Tavares isn't in the "great" category in Hexy's mind relative to other players in the NHL.
HAHAHHA
@BrindamoursNose
If Hextall does nothing this offseason how does that sway your opinion? I'll clarify that a bit as well : I mean he doesn't do anything and just stand pat. Everything out there is a bit too expensive for his liking (but actually reasonable). (Cost to sign Tavares, Carlson, trade for E.K. etc.)