Once there was a time, when no Avs player made more money than Matt Duchene. That was Avs' ceiling for player salaries.
I can see the same thing happening in Tampa. No player shall make $10M. The players know what they're worth, but will they all agree to leave money on the table to keep together this fantastic core that has came so close to winning it all a couple of times in the recent years? I'd say that yes, they will all take discounts. And why wouldn't they?
Captain could earn an extra $2M a year, but he doesn't.
#1D and an every-year Norris candidate could earn an extra $3M a year, but he doesn't.
One of the best wingers in the game could earn an extra $2M a year, but does he? Yup, he doesn't.
Point could say: "give me my money. I DESERVE $9M a year, at least. And I could get more. I know my worth".
But I think, that he'll sign for less. 5 years, 7.66 million dollars. Something like that.
When three of your best team mates are setting an example and doing everything they can to one day win the Stanley Cup, there's not much left for you to do. Either you leave the same $1.5M to the table as everyone else, or you leave.
I'm just waiting for that Callahan contract to expire. Can't wait to see what Brisebois is going to do with that cap space.