Kadri and Franson Contract Updates

[Kin]

At the end of the day the Leafs have far more negotiating power than Kadri does at this point. Why wouldn't they want to pay him less than what he's asking if this helps the situation of the team overall? Why throw $5m at him and eat the rest of our cap space entirely?

Because, presumably, the league will exist beyond next year. Signing him to that kind of a deal could make a lot of sense for the team long term. You used Subban as an example of a bridge contract but, quite frankly, right now it looks like the Canadians probably went the wrong way there. If Subban has another season like he did last year he's going to be looking for, and frankly deserve, 7+ million per at least. They probably could have signed him for 5/25.

 

[hockeyfan1]

Sportsnet's Kypreos says it will be a bridge contract (2 years) and that...

...the money being discussed is likely between $2.8 million and $3.5 million per season.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/report-leafs-kadri-getting-closer-to-deal/

 

[A finnish leaf fan]

Sportsnet's Kypreos says it will be a bridge contract (2 years) and that...

...the money being discussed is likely between $2.8 million and $3.5 million per season.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/report-leafs-kadri-getting-closer-to-deal/

That sounds good, I bet they'll settle at slightly north of $3M per which is fair for both parties at this point. I also think Franson's contract will be done shortly afterwards. It will require some moves from the Leafs' side - moves which are pending on the cap hit of Kadri's (and Franson's) deal. I wouldn't be surprised if Nonis has a trade for Liles at hand where the Leafs will retain some of his salary but it can't be finalized until the Leafs know how much they can absorb without going over the cap.

 

[Frank E]

At the end of the day the Leafs have far more negotiating power than Kadri does at this point. Why wouldn't they want to pay him less than what he's asking if this helps the situation of the team overall? Why throw $5m at him and eat the rest of our cap space entirely?

Because, presumably, the league will exist beyond next year. Signing him to that kind of a deal could make a lot of sense for the team long term. You used Subban as an example of a bridge contract but, quite frankly, right now it looks like the Canadians probably went the wrong way there. If Subban has another season like he did last year he's going to be looking for, and frankly deserve, 7+ million per at least. They probably could have signed him for 5/25.

You've made this argument a few times.  The problem with this argument is that it assumes a Subban with a $5x5 deal plays the season that he had last year.

Many players play for their next contract, if their current one is coming close to the end, and Subban has some extra motivation here.

Perhaps the "bridge" can induce some extra effort from these young players.

 

[Corn Flake]

Kadri hasn't proven anything in the NHL yet.  He needs to zip his mouth, be grateful he is in the NHL, take a short term contract from the Leafs, play his heart out showing what he can do on the ice then ask for the big dollars once his contract has expired.

You're entitled to your opinion and, in fact, I probably agree with you to a certain extent.  But your first sentence is flat out wrong.  He was 21'st in league scoring which, if nothing else, proves he has a knack for scoring.  I don't think his production happened by accident.

2 words for you:  Jason Blake.

He was always a 20+ goal scorer, got lucky in the final year of his contract with the Isles and got a ridiculous deal with the Leafs.  So before Kadri approaches Leafs management for a big contract, he should put up the big numbers first. Flip side is Leafs offer him a big contract, but Kadri doesn't produce, that makes Leafs management look bad and puts a bullseye on Kadri from Leaf fans.

Wait.. we are now referencing Jason Blake in this thread?

*unplugs internet*

 

[Kin]

You've made this argument a few times.  The problem with this argument is that it assumes a Subban with a $5x5 deal plays the season that he had last year.

No it doesn't. It just assumes a sort of steady growth for a young player that results in him being worth more than 5x5 throughout his contract. Subban didn't need to win the Norris trophy to be worth that kind of money and Kadri won't have to score 90+ points to be worth that either.

 

[Deebo]

Tony Ambrogio @SNTonyAmbrogio 41s
While Nazem Kadri was on the ice with the #Leafs today ahead of training camp starting, Cody Franson among Leafs not. Medicals tomorrow.

IMO, all signs are pointing towards Kadri signing today and Franson a possible hold-out. But we'll see.

 

[Frank E]

You've made this argument a few times.  The problem with this argument is that it assumes a Subban with a $5x5 deal plays the season that he had last year.

No it doesn't. It just assumes a sort of steady growth for a young player that results in him being worth more than 5x5 throughout his contract. Subban didn't need to win the Norris trophy to be worth that kind of money and Kadri won't have to score 90+ points to be worth that either.

You're saying that Subban's $5mx5 would look good now if he continues to play like he did last season, or close to it.  I'm just saying that maybe Subban doesn't turn into Subban v.2013 if he gets that long deal.  We can agree that v.2013 is far more beneficial to the habs no matter what deal may be in his future.

You're obviously not saying that Subban's hypothetical $5milx5 deal would look good no matter how he played.

Perhaps the shorter deals help push some of these rarer gifted kids to develop into $5+ million dollar players during their developmental years...note the perhaps. 

 

[mr grieves]

You've made this argument a few times.  The problem with this argument is that it assumes a Subban with a $5x5 deal plays the season that he had last year.

Many players play for their next contract, if their current one is coming close to the end, and Subban has some extra motivation here.

Perhaps the "bridge" can induce some extra effort from these young players.

I dunno. A lot of the players that 'played for their next contract' and then floated happen to be guys that were exiting or out of their primes when that 'next contract' was signed. Isn't it possible that a lot of what we perceive as 'motivated' play is just a player in his prime? A lot of the 'floating' the inevitable aging that starts to catch up to players just about exactly when their UFA years (and big contracts) start?

 

[cupquest]

Kadri hasn't proven anything in the NHL yet.  He needs to zip his mouth, be grateful he is in the NHL, take a short term contract from the Leafs, play his heart out showing what he can do on the ice then ask for the big dollars once his contract has expired.

You're entitled to your opinion and, in fact, I probably agree with you to a certain extent.  But your first sentence is flat out wrong.  He was 21'st in league scoring which, if nothing else, proves he has a knack for scoring.  I don't think his production happened by accident.

2 words for you:  Jason Blake.

He was always a 20+ goal scorer, got lucky in the final year of his contract with the Isles and got a ridiculous deal with the Leafs.  So before Kadri approaches Leafs management for a big contract, he should put up the big numbers first. Flip side is Leafs offer him a big contract, but Kadri doesn't produce, that makes Leafs management look bad and puts a bullseye on Kadri from Leaf fans.

Wait.. we are now referencing Jason Blake in this thread?

*unplugs internet*

You can unplug the internet!

 

[Frank E]

You've made this argument a few times.  The problem with this argument is that it assumes a Subban with a $5x5 deal plays the season that he had last year.

Many players play for their next contract, if their current one is coming close to the end, and Subban has some extra motivation here.

Perhaps the "bridge" can induce some extra effort from these young players.

I dunno. A lot of the players that 'played for their next contract' and then floated happen to be guys that were exiting or out of their primes when that 'next contract' was signed. Isn't it possible that a lot of what we perceive as 'motivated' play is just a player in his prime? A lot of the 'floating' the inevitable aging that starts to catch up to players just about exactly when their UFA years (and big contracts) start?

If you don't think there's motivation in playing for a multi-million dollar "set for the rest of my life" contract, well then I don't know what to say.

 

[Champ Kind]

You've made this argument a few times.  The problem with this argument is that it assumes a Subban with a $5x5 deal plays the season that he had last year.

Many players play for their next contract, if their current one is coming close to the end, and Subban has some extra motivation here.

Perhaps the "bridge" can induce some extra effort from these young players.

I dunno. A lot of the players that 'played for their next contract' and then floated happen to be guys that were exiting or out of their primes when that 'next contract' was signed. Isn't it possible that a lot of what we perceive as 'motivated' play is just a player in his prime? A lot of the 'floating' the inevitable aging that starts to catch up to players just about exactly when their UFA years (and big contracts) start?

If you don't think there's motivation in playing for a multi-million dollar "set for the rest of my life" contract, well then I don't know what to say.

Different sport, but ever heard of this guy?

 

[Kin]

You've made this argument a few times.  The problem with this argument is that it assumes a Subban with a $5x5 deal plays the season that he had last year.

Many players play for their next contract, if their current one is coming close to the end, and Subban has some extra motivation here.

Perhaps the "bridge" can induce some extra effort from these young players.

I dunno. A lot of the players that 'played for their next contract' and then floated happen to be guys that were exiting or out of their primes when that 'next contract' was signed. Isn't it possible that a lot of what we perceive as 'motivated' play is just a player in his prime? A lot of the 'floating' the inevitable aging that starts to catch up to players just about exactly when their UFA years (and big contracts) start?

If you don't think there's motivation in playing for a multi-million dollar "set for the rest of my life" contract, well then I don't know what to say.

I don't think anyone is saying that, I think that it's not quite as blatant or conscious as you're making it out to be. Most of these guys are super-competitive by nature and while they're clearly playing for contracts it's not like once those contracts get signed they lose motivation because the more basic elements of competition like winning still drive them. Even if you look at them as the mercenaries you're kind of implying...there's always the next contract and every year what these guys do impacts on how much money they make. So the idea that big years can be attributed to contract status has some truth to it but probably less than you're implying.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

If I have a player whose only going to fully show up in contract years I'm not even debating whether or not to sign him to a bridge contract or a long-term deal. He's not getting either.

 

[93forever]

You've made this argument a few times.  The problem with this argument is that it assumes a Subban with a $5x5 deal plays the season that he had last year.

Many players play for their next contract, if their current one is coming close to the end, and Subban has some extra motivation here.

Perhaps the "bridge" can induce some extra effort from these young players.

I dunno. A lot of the players that 'played for their next contract' and then floated happen to be guys that were exiting or out of their primes when that 'next contract' was signed. Isn't it possible that a lot of what we perceive as 'motivated' play is just a player in his prime? A lot of the 'floating' the inevitable aging that starts to catch up to players just about exactly when their UFA years (and big contracts) start?

If you don't think there's motivation in playing for a multi-million dollar "set for the rest of my life" contract, well then I don't know what to say.

Of course the motivation will be there, but will it remain after the contract is signed?  In reality it is still unproven if Kadri can put up big numbers and we all want Kadri to re-sign so asking for millions based on half a season is idiotic on his part.  1.5 to 2 million for 2 years + bonuses would be okay. 

 

[bustaheims]

1.5 to 2 million for 2 years + bonuses would be okay.

Well, sure, if it weren't for the fact that, outside of players on entry level deals and a few other exceptions (none of which apply to Kadri), contracts haven't been allowed to include bonuses for almost a decade now.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

‏@RealKyper

#NHL breaking news. Kadri will b ready for #Leafs camp. Expect news Kadri and #Leafs have reached agreement on 2 yrs just shy of 6M.

 

[Redleaf]

‏@RealKyper

#NHL breaking news. Kadri will b ready for #Leafs camp. Expect news Kadri and #Leafs have reached agreement on 2 yrs just shy of 6M.

Great news. Now sign Franson, and were set.

 

[bustaheims]

DarrenDreger: Confirming Kadri agrees to 2 year deal with the Leafs.

 

[bustaheims]

TSNBobMcKenzie: Nazem Kadri's new two-year deal with TOR has an AAV of $2.9M.

Nice deal for the Leafs.