Teams have given them some of that power by signing ridiculous deals to other RFAs.

Eichel and Draisaitl come to mind. Matthews is debatable. The potential to be a 1st line center and a top 5 player in the league is clearly there, but he definitely has not shown it yet, outside of goal scoring.

It looks like GMs are still very reluctant to offer-sheet, unless you count that small cock attempt by Bergevin. So, teams *should* still have the balance of power.

The players do have the choice to sit out. I would love for a team to let one of them miss a year, even if it is Marner.
- Aetherial

David Pastrnak recently revealed in an interview that Matthews is incredibly hard to play against. He went on to pick Matthews as his favourite to win the Hart this year. Given that Pastrnak is incredibly talented himself, I'd say that's pretty good endorsement from a division rival..

Why do people waste their time and everyone else's to come to this site just to complain and be a troll! If you don't like it, then don't come.
- Leaffrog

To piss off idiots like you.

Why would Colorado be waiting to clear cap space to sign Gardiner? If so, they're going about it in a weird way by giving up 850k more of it for Val Nichushkin yesterday. This ignores the question of why they would be looking to sign yet another (high dollar to boot) defenseman.

what the ek is up with these RFAs, this is bedlam! who's getting the most lucrative and longest deals? who do your "sources" see holding out the longest? sign and trade? eh? eh?

In my opinion, this is a horrible situation that the Leafs are in. With a possible hold-out looming, other teams will begin to sign their RFA's ahead of Marner, using Marner's perceived value as a measuring stick. Most of them will start to sign for 7M, to 10M (depending on the range of player from Connor/Konecny to Point/Rantanen) and that will inflate Marner's value because he will begin to use those contracts as a bench mark.

My take on it is that if Hayes is getting over 7M per season, you know Konecny is going to get 7M.

The Jets will use the Konecny contract to get Connor inked to a similar deal.

I believe Point is the first big fish RFA signed. Rantanen will follow suit. Both contracts will be pushing 9.5M-10M.

Once that happens, Marner is looking at these contracts and thinking "I'm better than Mikko Rantanen" and "Brayden Point is signing a team friendly deal in a no-tax State". He's gonna dig in and push for 11M-12M if this goes on too long.

I think if you're Dubas, you call a meeting with your Management team, Mitch, and Darren Ferris. You say to Mitch, "Here are 3 offers. Pick one. 3 years, 8M per season, 6 years at 9M per season, or 8 years at 10.5M per season. You have 3 days to talk it over and make a decision. If you do not accept one of these 3 offers before the weekend is over, you will be traded."

The Leafs NEED to ink this kid before some of the other top names sign. They will drive Marner's price up. Bank on it.
- Snowman X

I love how people think it's a no tax state, you should realize that they pay taxes where they play the games, also at that rate of pay the federal income tax is 37 percent.

To piss off idiots like you.
- gergeswillems

careful. you'll piss ek's mom off.

I love how people think it's a no tax state, you should realize that they pay taxes where they play the games, also at that rate of pay the federal income tax is 37 percent.
- bobbyisno1

Ontario's top marginal rate is 53.5% plus Ontario health premium tax.

Florida, Tennessee and Texas have a tax advantage for half their games.

Point will sign for less than Stamkos money.

To piss off idiots like you.
- gergeswillems

You're a beauty!

More to come! E5

What the Ek...please describe the E scale you use as I can never remember if a E4 is better than a E5.

What the Ek...please describe the E scale you use as I can never remember if a E4 is better than a E5.
- BlackhawkMike

An E4 is a rumour confirmed by a second source. An E5 means ek is reporting it as a done deal.

Brb, I am going to go kill myself for knowing this now