I agree UFA's are over paid in general because of the CBA. You get the player without giving up assets other then cap space which is a very valuable asset. We don't know who else or how much was bid for Clarkson/Lucic. I am sure there were others with interest but who knows what the bids were, if any. I thought the Oilers and leafs both acted quickly, going by memory. I am sure the Leafs offered Stamkos a contract, just don't think it was 30% higher.
I hope we sign under 3 mill a year UFA's too not much term (like Richardson), or we pay up for a 1C like Taveres. I hope we stay away from the 5 mill+ mid range UFA's. I think cap space is so important, we are going to see a gap in salary structure/UFA signings. The Lucic/Clarkson/Seabrook contracts will be a thing of the past.
Side note, I have been to Canada many times, I like it, the culture and people (not the weather).
