He still gives up 2 years of UFA status and the team gives more $ as a way of saying, both sides benefit from it.
- Kevin Francis

Sorry, I still don't see it. If he can make more AAV, and hit UFA sooner, that only makes it more likely he can capitalize big on the next contract too. I don't see where a shorter term at higher AAV is better for the team at all, unless they have concerns on his play at ages 29/30. If the team needs turnover 6 years in to the 8 year deal, the contract should be very tradable. It's not like RNH, where he ended up at a lower AAV on a full length contract because there is a good chance there is regression in the back half at ages 32/36. If that 6 year option at higher AAV is on the table for Brady, I can't see why he wouldn't take it and run.

Regardless, I hope he signs up with you guys today, one way or the other. Let's get this show on the road.

I don't get / believe that 6 years would yield a less cap hit. I think it's more likely 6 years @8m and then 8 x 8.5m~

My prediction of this deal --- 6-7 years @8.25-8.5m. Possibly 8 but I have a hard time believing that

Melnyk is on his way to Ottawa

with a new personal pilot, because he refused to pay the last one and she had to sue him

"Another day for Tarasenko and Thomas on the ice at the informal preseason skates. Brady Tkachuk out there as well"

It would likely be the best for his long term growth. But, you said his skating was improving, which I understood to be his area of needed improvement.

It would be fun for him to start in the nhl, even if he was sent down, get a taste of the big league. I still find it interesting a guy can be passed over completely (was it twice?) And then go in the second round.
- david22

Good story on Sokolov including the work he has done to improve his game (especially his skating). Seen a few more articles that go into more detail on how he had to completely change his stride and how he positioned his arms when skating. It is a great story for a whole bunch of reasons. People who spend time around this kid really like him.

Spoke to a guy this morning who insists Hertl is coming our way.

From: Marc Methot:

Will the Toronto Maple Leafs be the second best team in Ontario this season?
Yes
55.5%
No
44.5%
5,913 votes
·
Final results

From: Marc Methot:

Will the Toronto Maple Leafs be the second best team in Ontario this season?
Yes
55.5%
No
44.5%
5,913 votes
·
Final results
- spatso

Would Chrystia Freeland be a better GM than Pierre Dorian?

From: Marc Methot:

Will the Toronto Maple Leafs be the second best team in Ontario this season?
Yes
55.5%
No
44.5%
5,913 votes
·
Final results
- spatso

I would like to think so but Toronto's big guns have shown well during regular season play and if the refs hand them a lot of power play time and Murray is not up to scratch...

But it sure would be fun!

Elliotte Friedman:

Ottawa GM Pierre Dorion (with a fresh contract extension) told the FAN 590 morning show on Thursday, “Are we confident (restricted free agent Brady Tkachuk) will be signed by the time camp starts? Yes. These negotiations aren’t always easy and they take me a bit more time.” Over the last little while, the word is the Senators and Tkachuk have been grinding away on a long-term deal — believed to be similar to Thomas Chabot’s 8x8 extension. If that can’t get done soon, it’s very possible the two sides will switch to something shorter. What that says to me is both sides agree getting Tkachuk in camp is a priority.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...-eichels-representatives/

From: Marc Methot:

Will the Toronto Maple Leafs be the second best team in Ontario this season?
Yes
55.5%
No
44.5%
5,913 votes
·
Final results
- spatso

I think a lot would need to go right for this to realistically happen, most notably a big year from Murray / Gus.

Don't see it happening, but here's hoping!

Friedman says Mikheyev is one more player wanting out of Toronto. I like his size and speed. Would he be a good fit for the Sens? He is comfortable playing on either wing.

But, hey, lots of ownership groups are known for upsetting their fans. Knicks/Rangers have to be close to the worst for marketing hype and promises that fall flat. Rangers/Knicks are loved by their fans. Dolan is despised. Blue team is only one more first round playoff elimination away before their fans start wearing brown paper bags. Leaf fans are passionate, they love their team. On the other hand, they have little patience or love for the bean counters that run the management and ownership interests at MLSE.

But, what Melnyk has done is far more poisonous. He has somehow been able to offend the business, investment and government interests equally. Ottawa routinely ranks as the #1 contributor in Canada for charitable giving. Yet, Melnyk has figured out a way to offend the wealth interests that stand behind most of the huge charity organizations in this community.

The Senators are surely loved in the community. But the Senator ownership is no longer a trusted community partner with the organizations and folks that matter most. It needs to be fixed. I have doubts that the damage can be repaired as long as Melnyk remains in the ownership lead.
- spatso

Well said, the Sens foundation mess was the last straw for many I am told!

with a new personal pilot, because he refused to pay the last one and she had to sue him
- Octavarium

Oh there are plenty of stories out there, many and all have the correct facts. Just nobody wants to talk publicly about it, lawyers lawyers and lawyers if anyone did.

I don't get / believe that 6 years would yield a less cap hit. I think it's more likely 6 years @8m and then 8 x 8.5m~
- AlfieisKing

6 years would require a larger AAV, the longer the deal the lower the AAV.

Sorry, I still don't see it. If he can make more AAV, and hit UFA sooner, that only makes it more likely he can capitalize big on the next contract too. I don't see where a shorter term at higher AAV is better for the team at all, unless they have concerns on his play at ages 29/30. If the team needs turnover 6 years in to the 8 year deal, the contract should be very tradable. It's not like RNH, where he ended up at a lower AAV on a full length contract because there is a good chance there is regression in the back half at ages 32/36. If that 6 year option at higher AAV is on the table for Brady, I can't see why he wouldn't take it and run.

Regardless, I hope he signs up with you guys today, one way or the other. Let's get this show on the road.
- Beergu

Well said and agreed, everyone wants this done!!

6 years would require a larger AAV, the longer the deal the lower the AAV.
- Kevin Francis

The above statement is absolutely incorrect.

Only management in Toronto negotiate this way. Otherwise, shorter term deals are always negotiated with lower AAVs. In this case, Tkachuk will only accept a lower AAV if he can become a UFA sooner. This has been known for months.

The above statement is absolutely incorrect.
- Jackie Daytona

I don't think there are any set rules for AAVs and term length, but I thought it usually worked like what Francis said - a longer term usually results in a lower AAV.

I always thought the reason behind this approach was that the team 'takes a chance' on a long term contract hoping the player continues performing, and the player 'takes a hit' on the AAV for the certainty of long term money.

The above statement is absolutely incorrect.

Only management in Toronto negotiate this way. Otherwise, shorter term deals are always negotiated with lower AAVs. In this case, Tkachuk will only accept a lower AAV if he can become a UFA sooner. This has been known for months.
- Jackie Daytona

First you disagree with the original comment. Next you disagree with yourself. Are you feeling confused, disappointed or depressed?

You are correct on your point about the Leafs. Teams would be wise to study the Leafs and do the opposite.

6 years would require a larger AAV, the longer the deal the lower the AAV.
- Kevin Francis

A larger AAV is required on a long term deal when you are buying prime UFA years for a player, which would be the case with Tkachuk who is 22 years old.
If the player is 26 years old or more, you would expect that the AAV is lower on a long term deal due to expected regression after the age of 30.

A larger AAV is required on a long term deal when you are buying prime UFA years for a player, which would be the case with Tkachuk who is 22 years old.
If the player is 26 years old or more, you would expect that the AAV is lower on a long term deal due to expected regression after the age of 30.
- SensFan25

Exactly. For Brady, year 7 and 8 in a deal now you are buying UFA years in his hockey prime, the 8 year deal should have a higher AAV. Doesn't make sense otherwise. Like I mentioned earlier with the RNH deal, the longer term reduced the AAV, as you are likely adding regression years on probably anything past year 4 of the contract.

It's not rocket science... but you do have to consider what years are being added with the extra term of a contract.

NHL players tend to have their most productive seasons in the 24-29 range, so you just have to project the contract out to see where those extra years of term will land. If you're dealing with a 22yo player, and you're trying to add prime years to the tail-end of a long-term contract, you're probably going to have to up the AAV. If you're dealing with a 28yo UFA, those extra years are falling on the wrong side of 30, which means they're almost certainly going to lower the AAV, but add overall value and security to the player.

Where it does get a bit murky, is that - unlike long-term UFA contracts - long-term RFA contracts often have limited salary escalation across years, because back-loaded contracts actually cost the player money in terms of lost investment/interest potential. So the agent/team may have come to a consensus about the estimated relative value of the player in each of the projected contract years, but the actual distribution of money over those years can be just as contentious as the total $$$/term.

That's why the Senators may very well have offered a $8Mx8yr deal, and Tkachuk may very well eventually sign a $8Mx8yr deal... but may also have rejected the initial team offer, if they wanted to see more money up-front, or paid out in the form of salary bonus $$$. Knowing Melnyk, he's trying to push for substantial back-loaded $$$ like he was able to get with Chabot, who makes $6.5M/yr for the first 4 years of his deal, and $9.5M/yr for the last 4 years. But I just can't see that working in Tkachuk's case, which is probably why there's still no deal finalized.

Tkachuk won't sign in Ottawa unless Melnyck agrees to pay most of the contract with bonuses. The Canadian tax system will take roughly 53% of his salary. He would want a structure like Matthews where he saves 13-15 mil. in taxes on 5 year contract.