Lebowski
El Duderino
- Dec 5, 2010
- 17,587
- 5,222
If $8.5 million is the arbitration number that Meehan is going with, then you can probably get him (and Subban) to settle for $7.5, and you can almost certainly knock it down to $8.
Just sign him for 6 to 8 years (however many Subban will take) at $7.5 to 8 million a year. That's fine for a player of Subban's caliber and value to this team.
Bergevin's arbitration number is honestly a bit insulting to Subban. Anything below 6 is really pushing it, even for an arbitration number. I hope that this is similar to the reported Eller lowball number (prior to Eller signing), and that Bergevin is just engaging in hardball negotiating tactics here. The alternative is scary to think - That Bergevin honestly doesn't think that Subban is worth much more than $5 million and change.
If Subban wants 8.5M for one year, it means he's looking for more than that on a long term contract. Don't expect him signing for less on a contract buying 5-6 years of UFA years...
That, plus the fact 7.5M is very, very low for him considering the market.