If Eric signs a shorter term deal it is likely for a substantially higher dollar value and with a limited NMC (list of 8 teams, etc.). So maybe somethng like 3 years, $23 million (8,7.5,7.5) and that even feels like a bit of a hometown discount.
If the Canes offered a little longer term, say 4 or 5 years, then they could likely include a less restricted NTC for the first 2 or 3 years of the deal and get away with less $$$ per year. That might look like 5 years for $35 million (7.5, 7.5, 7, 6.5, 6.5). That feels like an even more significant discount.
If the Hurricanes went for the "we'll take you to the end of Jordan's contract", again offering a less restrictive NTC, the deal could be structured with more real money up front, but a much lower overall cap hit. Let's say something like a 7 years @ $46 million (9, 8, 7.5, 6.5, 5, 5, 5). In that case it certainly is a hometown discount, but Eric would be getting significant term. He certainly would view this as an opportunity to retire as a Cane. And if things didn't work out as planned in Raleigh, his NTC goes away after year 3 or 4 of the deal and he becomes trade bait with a contract that is a modest cap hit and even less in real money terms.
Still don't know if he'd do it as there are about 4 to 6 teams off the top of my head that would come a courtin' if Eric hit the free agent market.
