With the dog days of summer in full swing, the one thing that any Ottawa Senators fan seems to want to talk about is the contract status of Brady Tkachuk. Many fans thought Tkachuk would be signed to a new contract by now. The last thing the club wants is to sign him to a 3 year bridge deal. All that would do is have fans questioning management for three years if they will be able to keep Brady long term, not to mention having fans on pins and needles, worrying that Brady won’t be here for his best years. Personally, you have to get Brady signed to a long term deal of 8 years, 64 million and make him your captain.

The Thomas Chabot deal from a few years ago was kept quiet right up until the last minute of it being announced so I am hopeful that these contract negotiations can take the same road. The one thing that some front office employees are expressing to those close to them is that they are having a hard time moving inventory for the upcoming season. Many fans are saying they won’t commit to season tickets until Tkachuk signs. Management has to feel that pressure and I am sure Tkachuk’s agent is using it to their advantage during negotiations. The fan base in Ottawa is very fragile and management needs to show their commitment by getting a contract extension done ASAP with Tkachuk. Ownership needs to earn the trust of the Sens fans base considering all that has gone on the past 3-4 years.

Look no further than the Toronto Raptors who just signed Masai Ujiri to a six year contract extension and gave him a new title of vice-chairman and president. Listening to the Raptors fan base a few days ago about the Ujiri signing signified how confident they are with MLSE management. Ottawa needs something similar to happen now by getting Tkachuk signed sooner, rather than later.

Some players' value can’t be measured on stats, rather than their impact on the team. Some fans want to look at Brady’s production but his influence on this team goes way beyond his stats. DJ Smith always says Brady drags us into the fight. When your head coach says that, it says how much he means to the team! I remember in Tkachuk’s rookie year how then head coach Guy Boucher said the team really missed Brady when he had a knee sprain early in the season. A rookie having that kind of impact! His coach at the time thought that highly of him.

Here are some long term contracts of left wingers that make over 7 million. I am sure Tkachuk’s agent is looking at a few of these for reference.

Jamie Benn(probably moving back to center) is making 9.5 per year.
Alex Oveckhin's new contract is 4 years, 9.2 million per year.
Max Pacioretty is making 7 million per year for a few more years.
Evander Kane signed a deal for 7 years 49 million, ouch!
Kyle Connor 7 years for 50 million.
James van Riemsdyk 2 years left 7 million per year, that one has to sting!
Patrick Laine 1 year left at 7 million.
Matthew Tkachuk 1 year left at 7 million per year on his 3 year deal.
Artemi Panarin 7 years, 81.5 million.
Anders Lee 7 years, 49 million
Jeff Skinner 8 years, 72 million is the worst current NHL contract!

If a team was to make an offer sheet for Brady, here is the compensation below. Something no Sens fan wants to even think about, but thought I would post it for reference as to how important he is to the team. The team doesn’t need draft picks.

For AAVs below $1.35654 million, there is no compensation
From that number to $2.055364, the price is one 3rd-round pick
From that number to $4.110732, its one 2nd
From that number $6.166096 its one 1st and one 3rd
From that number to $8.221463, it’s one 1st, one 2nd and one 3rd
From that number to $10.276829, it is two 1sts, one 2nd and one 3rd
Over that number, it is four 1st round picks.

Bottom line is, Sens GM Pierre Dorion needs to get Tkachuk’s contract done ASAP! Curious to hear everyone’s thoughts.

Lastly, anyone going out to watch the Redblacks game at a sports bar tomorrow night? A few of us are looking to hit a patio. If anyone might be interested, private message me on here. Thanks for reading.

Kevin

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