we would be insane not to sign him for 8 yrs, in 5 years time he will be in his prime and very possibly be a 50g 100p player that player is signing a monster of a contract.
Very important thing to think about is apparently the next lockout "the hill" the owners die on is contract length, we need to take advantage of 8 yrs while its still a possibility. siging him @ 8yrs gets us to the 2026/27 season if the lockout succeeds in 5 yr deals we then sign him to a 5 yr deal after that.
see. people keep saying that. but signing contracts are a two way street. If Lou goes eight and Matty goes 5, what is Lou supposed to do? go No you're signing eight?
please note
I am not saying I don't want to sign him for eight years. Just that when Matty's agent, is Crosby's and Malkin's agent and
those two didn't sign for max years out of ELC. it stands to reason that Matthews may not either.
now I don't know why they didn't. i don't remember the circumstances around the Pens at that time. I just remember that people were surprised that they signed for that little basically triggering early UFA, like Tavares + Stamkos) - but both of them didn't, they signed their MEGA deals for the same dollars when they were eligible.
it could be something that happens, and we should mentally be prepared for it. the chances of it happening probably 2 percent or less, but it is something to consider.