Agreed.
It is ridiculous on management's side to think/act like Gaudreau has no leverage.
Right now by every metric the Flames are insulting JG with their offers IMHO.
I have a hard time getting onboard with these 2 statements. I come from the side who supports owners in the CBA lockouts, because I can relate to their side more than a player.
The owners fought to have these rights for these types of players. If BT caves, 29 other GMs and Owners will cringe at what little power they are left with after the next lockout. You are right, JG doesn't have to sign.
Personally, I'll stress, this is my opinion, but I think Murray Edwards is a bit nervous....deals to Gio, Hamilton, Frolik, Brower, and most recently Monahan, are huge commitments to an owner of an Alberta Team, who is funded by the Oil & Gas markets. Adding in my own personal experience of being directly involved with laying off more than 160 people at my work, ranging from single parents living check to check, to executives with a masters degree and decades of experience. When you sit in a room and deliver that dreadful news to people, you start to see things differently. So when someone says they are being unfair to Johnny Hockey, I say no way.
It's funny how most people seem unfazed about this recession and its effects on all markets, to think it won't have a negative effect on our hockey team is foolish. From a new arena, to ticket prices, or a $60Million dollar contract for a 23 year old softmore, there are several factors to consider before filling out that contract.
BT is simply doing his job, and very well I may add. He is in the middle group between Ownership and Players. A contract worth $6M+ is easy for us to offer when you aren't paying it. The $2M difference between the offering and the asking is also a big freaking deal to the owner and to the GM who has to manage cap.
I'm a fan of Johnny Hockey, I really am. I love seeing the little guy win, battle adversity and shine with the brightest stars in this league. When he said he isn't negotiating during the WHC I knew this was trouble. He is basically saying **** you pay me. And Brad isn't blinking
But I'm always on the side of the team who knows what's best for the team. Circle back to my work experience....I'll take a hit to my personall salary, my growth, for the growth of the company I work for. If the company does well, I do well and have a secure job. That's my line of thinking with NHL players unfortunately and it skews my insight on the business side of the game. But for JG, he can sign any contract, at any term, and it doesn't matter if the owner loses money, if the team loses games and seasons, or if the player stinks or gets injured....the risk is all on the Team, not the player.
/rant