See, this is what concerns me about people's impression of Tkachuk... the numbers aren't really that similar. Svechnikov already has 2 seasons where he was on pace for 60pts+ and 70pts+, plus he has 20pts in 26 playoff games. Tkachuk has flatlined production over the past 3 years at a 25G/25A pace, and hasn't played a single meaningful NHL game in his life. Intangibles aside, his actual production is substantially less than a guy like Boeser, who got a $5.9M x3yrs bridge deal after back-to-back seasons with a 30G/65Pts scoring pace. And that was in the midst of the best RFA winger class in recent history, with a pre-pandemic escalating cap.

Remember the TB model... use 3yr RFA bridge deals, invest the extra $$$ to prove you're serious about contending with a couple major acquisitions, then re-sign the player on a long-term extension once you have a sense of his actual relative value, and know if they're actually the foundational player you hope they'll become.
- khawk

Tkachuk with 60 goals and 125 points in 198 games. Svechnikov with 59 goals and 140 points in 205 games playing on a better team.

I think trying to sign elite players to 3 year bridge deal is old news. If teams make the decision not to reward older players with retirement contracts they need to shift their focus to paying their young players up front.

The Sens made their bed when they went all in with Chabot for 8 years. Does not matter if we agree with it or not. But, you have to be open to giving Brady similar term, even if you can't settle on a final number.

Couturier signed 8x7.75M/year extention

Tkachuk with 60 goals and 125 points in 198 games. Svechnikov with 59 goals and 140 points in 205 games playing on a better team.

The Sens made their bed when they went all in with Chabot for 8 years. Does not matter if we agree with it or not. But, you have to be open to giving Brady similar term, even if you can't settle on a final number.
- spatso

Ugh... you can't just look at a 3yr total. Svechnikov had a much lower point total in his first year, and far exceeded Tkachuk's output in each of the past 2 years... while Tkachuk showed virtually no upwards progression whatsoever. That make a HUGE difference in projecting out their respective upside.

As for Chabot, he was already the team's #1D, played over 20min/GP, had already shown he could score at a 60pts pace, and was signed to a full 8yr extension, which included Chabot's 4 best UFA seasons. The team also needed to make a statement about the future stability of the team, and have made the Chabot contract into the backbone of the rebuild. Plus, Chabot was fairly keen to sign with that degree of security, and seemed to have no reservations.

None of this is true with Tkachuk, so maybe they should be taking a cue from that, instead of making a public display of trying to sign him for longer term than he's interested in.

Ugh... you can't just look at a 3yr total. Svechnikov had a much lower point total in his first year, and far exceeded Tkachuk's output in each of the past 2 years... while Tkachuk showed virtually no upwards progression whatsoever. That make a HUGE difference in projecting out their respective upside.

As for Chabot, he was already the team's #1D, played over 20min/GP, had already shown he could score at a 60pts pace, and was signed to a full 8yr extension, which included Chabot's 4 best UFA seasons. The team also needed to make a statement about the future stability of the team, and have made the Chabot contract into the backbone of the rebuild. Plus, Chabot was fairly keen to sign with that degree of security, and seemed to have no reservations.

None of this is true with Tkachuk, so maybe they should be taking a cue from that, instead of making a public display of trying to sign him for longer term than he's interested in.
- khawk

I am not trying to convince you that what the Sens are doing is right.

I am saying that there is no way back for the Sens. They have made it clear that Brady is a cornerstone of there rebuild. They have even teased out the idea that if he signs a longer term deal the Sens will name him captain.

Have no idea how the Sens simply say we misspoke and what we would really like is a 3 year bridge deal.

I am not trying to convince you that what the Sens are doing is right.

I am saying that there is no way back for the Sens. They have made it clear that Brady is a cornerstone of there rebuild. They have even teased out the idea that if he signs a longer term deal the Sens will name him captain.

Have no idea how the Sens simply say we misspoke and what we would really like is a 3 year bridge deal.
- spatso

Well, there's one easy way... don't fight Tkachuk on the idea of a bridge deal or let the negotiations fester into training camp or the start of the season, and just get him signed to something reasonable in the 3yr range. Then use some of that money and your overloaded prospect system to add another quality piece or two, and get on with the business of actually trying to win more games than you lose this season. They might even find that winning more games and proving that they're ready to be competitive makes Tkachuk more interested in signing the kind of deal they'd like him to sign.

Well, there's one easy way... don't fight Tkachuk on the idea of a bridge deal or let the negotiations fester into training camp or the start of the season, and just get him signed to something reasonable in the 3yr range. Then use some of that money and your overloaded prospect system to add another quality piece or two, and get on with the business of actually trying to win more games than you lose this season. They might even find that winning more games and proving that they're ready to be competitive makes Tkachuk more interested in signing the kind of deal they'd like him to sign.
- khawk

if OTT does nothing to land a "big Fish" in the next year or 2 with those prospects, that mean those prospects are there to replace Brady, Batherson, Norris, Sanderson, Pinto when their payday comes

sorry guys, been working, finally was able to post the new blog! It is up now!

if OTT does nothing to land a "big Fish" in the next year or 2 with those prospects, that mean those prospects are there to replace Brady, Batherson, Norris, Sanderson, Pinto when their payday comes
- Mithos

exactly!

Well, there's one easy way... don't fight Tkachuk on the idea of a bridge deal or let the negotiations fester into training camp or the start of the season, and just get him signed to something reasonable in the 3yr range. Then use some of that money and your overloaded prospect system to add another quality piece or two, and get on with the business of actually trying to win more games than you lose this season. They might even find that winning more games and proving that they're ready to be competitive makes Tkachuk more interested in signing the kind of deal they'd like him to sign.
- khawk

Well said!