Quoting: Trickster
The post right above yours by ColonelX sums up my thoughts pretty well.
that's great and all but he's going to get all of that anyhow.
Teams are always looking for center help. He's on a 24-25 goal, 50+ point pace. You tell me where you are getting a 3C like that on a 1 year deal at less than 3 million.
Furthermore, he wants to compete for a cup not get shipped off to some bottom feeder team, so he's gonna get his NMC on that.
To be bluntly honest about it, looking at his numbers, what he brings on the ice as far as faceoff, defense leadership etc... He took a discount.
Danault got 5.5 mil last year.
Wennberg got 4.5
Jenner 3.75
Lowry got 3.25
I mean look, to say he asked for money is kind of a joke. He could have probably got a whole lot more.
To say he asked for term, 2 years...that's not really asking for term. Especially given the year he's had this year. It's not like he's showing sings of falling off the cliff.
My guess is the NMC comes with the low cap hit. Guys are willing to sign for less if they are happy and like where they are at. You take that away and they want their money.