Who do you take UFA - McDavid for 4 years, or MacKinnon for 7 years?

[bobholly39]

Assuming both players were UFA this off-season - and both were interested in playing for your team. But McDavid made it very clear - the most he'll commit to is 4 years, because he wants to leave his options open to revisit his choices 4 years from now (ie - he makes it very clear, there's absolutely no guarantee he'll stay past that). MacKinnon on the other hand is interested in signing for the max 7 year term - seems committed to staying with your team long-term.

This is UFA - they are probably the 2 most valuable players in the league today (based on ability/position/age) - so expect it to be top $$ for both guys, no real discounts.

What do you pick? McDavid for 4 years - with no guarantee he stays longer - or MacKinnon for 7 years?

Cap value isn't necessarily equal - just assume both are paid a lot, top 2 in league, whatever is fair. This poll is more about the term.

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[Nabrules]

We can all agree that McKinnon is a fantastic player, probably in the 2nd-4th best player in the league who is on a great contract. Yet, there will never be a circumstance where I choose him over McDavid

 

[missionAvs]

McJesus. I love me some MacK but McJesus is just that good.

 

[hockeyisgud]

If my team can contend now Mcdavid, if not Mackinnon.

 

[Mighty Makar]

I’ll take Nate for the extra 3 years, Alex.

 

[Gurglesons]

McDavid. MacKinnon will be entering the end of his prime in 3-4 years.

 

[filinski77]

McDavid is only 2 years younger, and Mackinnon is still easily a top 5 player in this league. Obviously McDavid on a year-year basis is more valuable, but not 75% longer term more valuable in my opinion.

Realistically, if your team isn't good enough to win the cup with Mackinnon instead of McDavid, swapping them would only push your team over the hurdle if you like lost in game 7 of the conference finals or cup finals.

 

[Mighty Makar]

McDavid. MacKinnon will be entering the end of his prime in 3-4 years.

Nate is 16 months older.

 

[Gurglesons]

Nate is 16 months older.

Is MacKinnon a generational player?

 

[GirardSpinorama]

McDavid. MacKinnon will be entering the end of his prime in 3-4 years.

MacKinnon is not much older than McDavid. Also, it means IF you can even resign McDavid at the end of 4 years, he'll also be entering the end of his prime with a HUGE contract.

 

[bleedblue1223]

McDavid, and I'll worry about resigning him when the time comes.

 

[Mighty Makar]

Is MacKinnon a generational player?

I don’t think so. Does MacKinnon have a bum knee?

 

[oXo Cube]

What team am I?

I take McDavid here in a large majority of cases but I might think about MacKinnon if I was the Detroit Red Wings.

 

[Gurglesons]

I don’t think so. Does MacKinnon have a bum knee?

Wouldn’t that further justify the short term deal?

I dunno. I think the next 2-3 years will be MacK’s prime and having him for four more at 11+ could turn ugly.

 

[Mighty Makar]

Wouldn’t that further justify the short term deal?

I dunno. I think the next 2-3 years will be MacK’s prime and having him for four more at 11+ could turn ugly.

We’ll see!

 

[Regal]

Wouldn’t that further justify the short term deal?

I dunno. I think the next 2-3 years will be MacK’s prime and having him for four more at 11+ could turn ugly.

This deal would only take him to his age 31 season. I could see him start to decline in his late 20s, but I doubt he would decline enough to make it turn ugly. How many top 5 centers in their primes fall off hard that early?

 

[Mrfenn92]

I'll sign both because I'm a generational GM.

 

[Northern Avs Fan]

Gotta go McDavid. As a GM, I would hope I would be able to convince him to stay long-term.

If I knew McDavid was leaving after 4 years, then I’d take MacKinnon.

 

[bobholly39]

Wouldn’t that further justify the short term deal?

I dunno. I think the next 2-3 years will be MacK’s prime and having him for four more at 11+ could turn ugly.

Yeah I also disagree with this turning ugly. He's only 24 - so this takes him to age 31. Most of the high profile UFA's in recent years (or almost UFAs) like Stamkos/Tavares/Doughty/Karlsson - all signed 7 or 8 year deals that'll take them to closer to 34-35 years old. I think maybe at that age you can start to question the last few years - no reason to worry at age 31 though.

MacKinnon will probably no longer be in the conversation for top 2-3 player in the world at age 31 - but there's still a huge step to go from there to say that his $$ amount would "turn ugly".

 

[Gurglesons]

Yeah I also disagree with this turning ugly. He's only 24 - so this takes him to age 31. Most of the high profile UFA's in recent years (or almost UFAs) like Stamkos/Tavares/Doughty/Karlsson - all signed 7 or 8 year deals that'll take them to closer to 34-35 years old. I think maybe at that age you can start to question the last few years - no reason to worry at age 31 though.

MacKinnon will probably no longer be in the conversation for top 2-3 player in the world at age 31 - but there's still a huge step to go from there to say that his $$ amount would "turn ugly".

He’d be technically 32 right?

MacKinnon is a fantastic player, but we’ve also seen him be a 50 - 60 pt guy in his prime years. Not saying it’s likely. But the option is to have a generational talent for four years versus a player that is likely in his peak the next two years signed for 7.

 

[bobholly39]

He’d be technically 32 right?

MacKinnon is a fantastic player, but we’ve also seen him be a 50 - 60 pt guy in his prime years. Not saying it’s likely. But the option is to have a generational talent for four years versus a player that is likely in his peak the next two years signed for 7.

He'd be 31 going into his last season and at the end of it too I believe. 32 would be going into season 8.

Oh and I don't disagree with you picking McDavid here - i just think you suggesting that 11M+ for Mack by year 7 could turn ugly is a bit much. I mean - it's possible, and you're right in saying he was a 50-60 point guy before he exploded - but I still don't think there's any real reason to suspect he won't still be a very high caliber top player by age 31.

 

[Voight]

Nate is 16 months older.

I get the impression people think he's older because he has a late birthday and started playing in the NHL shortly after his 18th birthday.

 

[The Moose is Loose]

McDavid is going to give me the best chance to win, so I'll take him for 4 years. Hopefully you get him signed after that, but you have to take that chance.

 

[TheGuiminator]

Give me the guy who performs BOTH in the season & playoffs : MacKinnon

 

[RSeen]

Mackinnon for the Devils