Anderson was an obvious 20-25 goal scorer. Long term at his age almost no risk.
Obvious by what measure, tho? I'm not disagreeing with your conclusion as it seemed that way to me as well, but I also saw potential reasons for worry that I considered unimportant. Kind of like with Wennberg. (Specifically, I was worried about his extremely low assists count.) That and, frankly, his agent was playing hardball and trying to get much, much more than he was worth.
Johansen had a 33g 30a breakout season and looked every part of a #1C. No brainer long term.
This is another "the agent decided to unreasonably play hardball" situation. I'm pretty sure long term was the intent, but Overhardt was insisting on more than he was worth to go along with that term. There's "what you want" and "what you can get".
Cam Atkinson had two consecutive 20 goal seasons and was an obvious long term signing, but Jarmo did his RFAs must not be paid nonsense with him. Should have been long termed.
Concur, but he subsequently has been, and it's still for a good deal. I don't know if his agent was acting up like Overhardt did with Joey or if Kekalainen legit was trying to preserve the "second contract" ideal or whatever the heck came up there.
Wennberg had a very hot half season with many of his points on the PP. He had been given advantages of TOI that few received. Many question marks. Easy bridge decision. Just like Murray and Jenner were.
In Wennberg's case, I saw those worries, but didn't consider them to be that much of an issue because even outside of the PP he was doing well at even strength. He's got me extraordinarily frustrated because he's not producing at ES anymore either.
Jarmo (other than the gift of a contract Jones' agent allowed-Seth Jones should fire whoever his agent is) doesn't get that players are more valuable in their 20s than their 30s (most are on the downside by 32) and that young good RFAs should be long termed.
David Savard. Markus Nutivaara. Brandon Saad.