Tbh I don't think Laine signs it. Any offersheet would have to be $10.5+ range (4 1sts) for us to even consider not matching.

WPG matches that in about 30 seconds. Laine has a LOT of warts to his game, but he's still the best natural goal scorer since Ovechkin. He's going to be a 40-50 goal guy for the next decade.

I think laine is looking at 10 millions on a 5 or more years and 8 for 3 years. If skinner got 9 laine would at least equal that

Assuming he signs, they probably match. Buys up a UFA year and the cap hit is reasonable for whatever he *could* be

Skinner is a UFA though. Although with some of these reported contract demands I don’t think RFAs give a flying **** they are restricted. They want UFA money. Lol.

yeah being rfa or ufa doesnt seems too change a lot now. I would like the nhl to change to rule of entry’s level contract. Make it 5 years with option after the 4 th year for
Extension. It would give team more leverage. Just a idea like that

I think they’re discovering things as the CBA ages and they’ll eventually modify and cause a lockout again. Like the no arbitrator for certain RFAs was the owners idea thinking they would have leverage. Now they’re boned without them because hold outs have been an actual thing now. I’m sure an independent arbitrator would knock Marner and his camp back down to Earth if it was an option, but it isn’t.

You know what is the real problem. It the fcking agent. Without them im sure players would accept less to stay where they are but agent always pushing for more and more

I’d say I agree but they are just doing their employer’s bidding. Any player could inject themselves into negotiations and put an end to it, but they don’t....or at least it’s never been revealed publicly that’s what occurred. I don’t think agents have much of a say as to how much a player should ask for beyond professional input. If the player were to say accept if they offer x amount for x amount of years then the agent would even if the agent thought differently.

In my opinion, I think Ferris in particular is just great at being the hype man to these athletes. They hear what he’s saying and immediately buy into it. He’s probably sending Marner texts about Matthews 11m and memes where Marner is standing in Matthew’s bag full of money’s shadow. ?

If I was a GM, I offer 5 yrs at 10,5M and with that offer, it will be tough to match and only cost 2 x firsts, 1 x 2nd and 1 x 3rd round pick.

Folks don't seem to look at the "other team" and the cap implications. Yes the Isles can afford Laine this year. But next summer they would have just 10m in cap space and 5 players to sign including Barzel and Pulock to be at the 23 man roster. Don't think the Isles or any team want to get into similar problems that the Jets, Tampa, Leaf, Calgary have this year by parachuting into another player.

If Ladd stays in LTIR permanently then they might afford signing Laine.

You're right, but I think teams have the mentality of "cross that bridge when we get there." Landing a talent like Laine would be worth it and they could also move out bigger contracts to get under the cap floor. Leddy, Boychuck and maybe even Ladd (probably not) could be moved.

Maybe Leddy. Boychuk and M NTC at 6m seem like a tough move. He would only want to move to good team and what contender has 6m in free cap space? Ladd, has NMC again the only cap relief the Isles could hope for is career ending LTIR. I have had this discussion with Tampa fans. Some think it's "easy" to move M NTC. Players can list 16 teams that either have their own cap issues or would no interest in taking on a sign ontract. Most trades almost have to equal money for equal money especially for long term contracts.

This is the second time I heard this. ? I don’t think it was you the last time. I have read that Lou said Ladd and Clutterbuck are skating now, Clutterbuck will most likely be ready for training camp while Ladd will take a little longer. Based off of that, it sounds like he is playing this year. Unless of course you’re planning on pulling a Tonya Harding. ?

Lol

To be fair I have no clue on their situations. Just speculating here.