I know you're just paraphrasing but that's kind of confusing. Why would Brady object to being paid bonus money in what should be lighter years for escrow? Honestly, doesn't really sound like this guy wants to sign long term. Looks like they keep finding reasons why the deal doesn't work.
I don't have any experience negotiating big contracts but, I don't know, feels to me like his team keep finding obstacles to throw in the way so they can get a short term deal like they've always wanted all along. Nothing about this process sounds like commitment from Brady's side. Every time we hear something about this contract, it's the Brady side holding up the deal or being unhappy about something.
Maybe it's from years of working in hospitality and having those nightmare tables who are never happy about anything no matter what you do for them but this thing is really annoying me.
Don't fret about it. About a year ago I got to see two different CBA negotiations second hand. While not exactly the same, a CBA covering thousands of employees is just as complex if not more complex than a high-stakes NHL contract. What I saw:
1. Firstly, everyone is really prepared, and they're all professionals. This is their job and they know more than the public and they're very knowledgeable. Obviously Dorion has been doing this for a while so he's experienced, and Brady had good agents and his family. They will know all the comparable contracts. I can see things going off the rails when they aren't even talking the same language when it comes to figures due to expeirence. This is what happened with Duclair. He wasn't knowledgeable and professional and that's why he likely missed out on some money. He got extremely lucky it half-way worked out for him in Florida.
2. Secondly, not one wants to do anything that might hurt their position but they constantly want to make the other party aware of their leverage. This would be similar to leaks to the media, interviews, and posturing. They don't want to strike, holdout, or go through with any work action. That might cost them leverage (for instance if the team does well without Brady then they lose leverage). Equally, they also don't want the other party to consider it an empty threat. If the Sens don't think Brady might actually hold out, how can they ever be sure they got the best deal and used all their leverage?
3. Third, both sides will try to gain traction with third parties. In our case, the fans/customers. In the CBA negotiations it was the public. Both sides want to use the people with the real power to push the other side into caving. Both sides are trying this. The Sens are leaking contract numbers to make sure that the fans know they're being reasonable, and the Tkachuks are leaking the bonus structure/NMC clause to try and gain support. Although Melnyk has a terrible reputation, so do the Tkachuks (at least when it comes to negotiations). No one should be "going to bat" for either side here from what I've seen.
4. These things get resolved based on pressure points and changes to positions. Pressure Points are dates when things change for one side. Training camp was one, the start of the season is the next, and December 1 is the third. Also they can get resolved when circumstances change with regard to leverage. If Buffalo offered the Sens Eichel for Tkachuk, this could change things, equally if the Tkachuks decided that ownership was never going to give the Tkachuks the best money over Brady's career and it was best to accept a short term loss to get as close to UFA as possible.
I don't know where we're at, from the outside it looks bad, but it could all be posturing. It doesn't sound good when the negotiations shift to short term deals, but it seems like Dorion is pushing back hard by offering minimal compensation on any short term deal which makes me hopeful that they're holding the line on something longterm.
I don't think anyone will "cave", but I do think a pressure point might have to be reached because both sides have something to lose by caving. The Sens have to many young players they need to sign to long-term deals and the Tkachuks have Matthew's contract coming up as well, they can't seem weak and miss out on money either.
