That's my answer too.14 months ago.
It was perfect that he had a down year before his RFA contract, I posted here at the time that they should lock him up ASAP while he's still cheap. But some people (not necessarily on this site) questioned whether he was the "real deal".
I think he's PPG next to Jack for a year and demands close to 9.5 mil, when we could have had him for 8 years at close to 7
Seems like he genuinely wants to stay in Buffalo though by signing a bridge and remaining RFA. I say sign him as soon as humanly possible before he blows up even more. (Yes even if he's having a down stretch).
*I also think that Sam has a much higher ceiling than many may imagine. He is an immensely skilled player and probably smarter than Eichel, he gets better at everything each year and is still extraordinarily young. If higher scoring continues, and he's playing with the right talent, I wouldn't be surprised at all if he scores at over a PPG clip at some point of his career.
Or a sign of how the league is now.That's my answer too.
Failed initiative by JB unfortunately
The Matthews deal was the turning point for the league and that was long after.Or a sign of how the league is now.
That certainly was one of them for the top dogsThe Matthews deal was the turning point for the league and that was long after.
I would say that 23 is extraordinarily young considering he's not even at his peak years for another 3-4 years. It is Botts fault, he should have recognized his talent and locked it up to dramatically save from the cap. If a random hfboard poster would lock him up (and posted as such) and it turned out that may have been the best way, yes, that is indeed Botts' fault if he couldn't even recognize that as GM of an NHL team. That is 110% on him. He- as an allegedly astute GM- should have recognized the ABSOLUTE GIFT of Sam not scoring as much and LOCKED HIM UP.24 is extraordinarily young? Not really.
Reinhart is not getting 9 per. He gets between 20-25 goals a season. Unlike Eichel he isnt a center, doesn't do nearly as much as him either so no need to worry about Sam scoring a ppg. He will end up with ~60 points and sign for 6.75-7 mil per.
And of course its Botts fault for not signing Reinhart long term. I am sure Sam was really wanting to be locked in for 7-8 years coming off a 50 point season. Sam is the one who probably pushed for the bridge and bet on himself but of course its automatically Botts fault. And if Sam does become a 70 point player and gets 7.5 per then good. Would much rather pay 7.5 per for a 70 point guy then had given Sam 6.5-7 per and see him struggle to hit 60 points. Not every player has to be paid for potential. Its nice to see a bridge deal.
Who is even his comparable?
What RFA's signed a 2 year bridge that are now looking long term?
I wonder what Reinhart and his agent would think of the Schenn deal (8 yrs @ $6.5M per)?
In terms of counting stats Sam will probably lag behind these guys because of his PP role but really, he's not worse than them in the slightest. He can milk this franchise for a LOT of money and it will be deserved.
Let's keep putting everyone that needs a big contract on Eichel's hip.
We can't afford to keep doing this.