Why does this come down to Sens fans being fickle?

Perhaps most simply do not want to pay this player the rumored $8M+ for what he brings to the table. Combine that with the drama his family creates and you have fans that simply do not mind moving the player for value.

I like the player but if I were the team's GM I would not sell the team's long term cap soul to sign this player.
- HoweHatrick

My comment has nothing to do with weather or not he’s worth $8 or more or less or whatever. I never brought that up. What I mean by being fickle is that a lot of us are turning on him, starting to hate him… based solely on rumours and speculation. And even if the rumours ARE true, the guy who was everyone’s favourite Sen yesterday is gonna be outcast just because he isn’t doing what WE want him to? Sounds like something Habs fans or Leafs fans would do. I expect better from Sens fans.

My comment has nothing to do with weather or not he’s worth $8 or more or less or whatever. I never brought that up. What I mean by being fickle is that a lot of us are turning on him, starting to hate him… based solely on rumours and speculation. And even if the rumours ARE true, the guy who was everyone’s favourite Sen yesterday is gonna be outcast just because he isn’t doing what WE want him to? Sounds like something Habs fans or Leafs fans would do. I expect better from Sens fans.
- PavohnDatsvares

Edit: At this rate we’re gonna boo him next time he’s on the ice because he hurt our feelings by being a tough negotiator.

Edit: At this rate we’re gonna boo him next time he’s on the ice because he hurt our feelings by being a tough negotiator.
- PavohnDatsvares

We are pretty tough on the kid. Remember, in one form or another, we are all pitching the idea that Brady should just trust Melnyk and sign a contract. Maybe it makes sense for him to take some time to ensure he does not get thrown under the bus.

It sounds like he doesn't want to be locked in for 8 years if Ottawa turns into another Buffalo.

He wants shorter term. If in that time Ottawa turns into a contender, then he'd likely want to re-sign
- david22

But it’s also been reported that they offered him a three year deal, and a six year deal. It sounds like they’ve given him options.

Edit: At this rate we’re gonna boo him next time he’s on the ice because he hurt our feelings by being a tough negotiator.
- PavohnDatsvares

Once he’s signed, any reasonable fan should move on (although he’s expected to play up to his contract). Booong him would be silly.

I want Brady in camp now! I think both Montreal and Toronto will struggle this year. Good chance both may miss playoffs. I expect they will blow the Blue team up at the trade deadline. I want the SENS flying and ready to go on opening night.
- spatso

Beyond agree with you!

We are pretty tough on the kid. Remember, in one form or another, we are all pitching the idea that Brady should just trust Melnyk and sign a contract. Maybe it makes sense for him to take some time to ensure he does not get thrown under the bus.
- spatso

Many stories, that many in the main stream would love to write. Dont forget, Don Brennan and Chris Stevenson, those 2 have always said it how it is, yet they arent covering the team anymore. I always thought, how doesn't any fan see this. The sens are notorious for taking press creds away if they dont like what you write about the team!

My comment has nothing to do with weather or not he’s worth $8 or more or less or whatever. I never brought that up. What I mean by being fickle is that a lot of us are turning on him, starting to hate him… based solely on rumours and speculation. And even if the rumours ARE true, the guy who was everyone’s favourite Sen yesterday is gonna be outcast just because he isn’t doing what WE want him to? Sounds like something Habs fans or Leafs fans would do. I expect better from Sens fans.
- PavohnDatsvares

Exactly! The only constant is that we have seen this same song and dance by our owner to many other players!

This is where I actually do have sympathy for Tkachuk, because he made his intentions pretty clear way back in the summer. The report indicated that he really liked the team, players, city, etc., and was excited to sign an extension... but before signing long-term, he wanted to make sure that ownership was 100% committed to putting a winning product on the ice. He never said he wanted $9M/yr, or an 8yr deal... he said he wanted to see proof that the team was serious about trying to win a Stanley Cup. It's the team that's desperately pushing the long-term deal, and even trying to use the "C" as some kind of weird non-monetary incentive.

Meanwhile, what's waiting for Tkachuk at training camp? A team with major roster gaps, that's not even compliant with the NHL salary cap floor. They said they wanted to add a top-4 d-man and #2C, and wound up adding a 31yo Del Zotto and inviting Ennis to training camp on a PTO... after trading away the team's highest-paid forward. If they're honestly going to cheap out for another year of development, then I have no idea why they would expect Tkachuk to sign on for 8yrs without playing serious hardball about the $$$/NTC.

Personally, I think if Dorion put down the exact same deal that Dahlin just got from the Sabres or something close to it, Tkachuk would probably sign it. Give the "C" to Chabot, and see if you can't work on having a legitimate playoff roster on the ice by the end of Tkachuk's 3yr term. If you're still fumbling around the $65M mark, then all you've done is proven Tkachuk right about not believing that you're serious about trying to win.
- khawk

More and more, we hear how it really is boiling down to what is backloaded, bonus structure and NMC.

More and more, we hear how it really is boiling down to what is backloaded, bonus structure and NMC.
- Kevin Francis

Brady KNOWS he is going to get traded in the next 5 years or less, he wants control of WERE he goes and melnyk KNOWS he is going to trade Brady in the next 5 years or less, it is WHY he does not want to give him bonuses, face it, Chabot, Brady, Batherson, Norris, Stutzle, Sanderson will not be sens in 5-6 years, well before they can actually become perennial cup contenders because it takes time, ask Ovi, Stamkos, Tarasenko ect all won cups 7-10 years + into their careers

Brady KNOWS he is going to get traded in the next 5 years or less, he wants control of WERE he goes and melnyk KNOWS he is going to trade Brady in the next 5 years or less, it is WHY he does not want to give him bonuses, face it, Chabot, Brady, Batherson, Norris, Stutzle, Sanderson will not be sens in 5-6 years, well before they can actually become perennial cup contenders because it takes time, ask Ovi, Stamkos, Tarasenko ect all won cups 7-10 years + into their careers
- Mithos

I don't believe Melnyk is around for much longer. I also believe that the next ownership group will be comprised of local folks and others who have extreme wealth.

I don't believe Melnyk is around for much longer. I also believe that the next ownership group will be comprised of local folks and others who have extreme wealth.
- spatso

Exactly! I have been told this for the past 3 years now. If anyone thinks the league turns a blind eye to the endless off ice stuff with Melnyk is sadly mistakened.

From the Lebreton Flats lawsuits, to the his horrible remarks about the fans at the outdoor game, to his casino debts, to the numerous CEO's or CFO's leaving or being fired over and over or to the Sens Foundation fiasco.....or the 3 times the league has had to bail him out when he couldnt meet payroll! Trust me the league is tired of his act!

Brady KNOWS he is going to get traded in the next 5 years or less, he wants control of WERE he goes and melnyk KNOWS he is going to trade Brady in the next 5 years or less, it is WHY he does not want to give him bonuses, face it, Chabot, Brady, Batherson, Norris, Stutzle, Sanderson will not be sens in 5-6 years, well before they can actually become perennial cup contenders because it takes time, ask Ovi, Stamkos, Tarasenko ect all won cups 7-10 years + into their careers
- Mithos

Look at this years payroll, they sit at 56 million but are only paying out 50 million. It's just like the Chabot deal, the last 4 years have huge payouts.

Look at this years payroll, they sit at 56 million but are only paying out 50 million. It's just like the Chabot deal, the last 4 years have huge payouts.
- Kevin Francis

same with Drake, his last 2 years are 6.5M and 6.55M

same with Drake, his last 2 years are 6.5M and 6.55M
- Mithos

Definitely a pattern. The Chabot deal was done long before Covid hit too!

Exactly! I have been told this for the past 3 years now. If anyone thinks the league turns a blind eye to the endless off ice stuff with Melnyk is sadly mistakened.

From the Lebreton Flats lawsuits, to the his horrible remarks about the fans at the outdoor game, to his casino debts, to the numerous CEO's or CFO's leaving or being fired over and over or to the Sens Foundation fiasco.....or the 3 times the league has had to bail him out when he couldnt meet payroll! Trust me the league is tired of his act!
- Kevin Francis

The LeBreton law suit is something worth keeping an eye on. If they are able to get judgement against Melnyk he will need to scramble to find some money.

The LeBreton law suit is something worth keeping an eye on. If they are able to get judgement against Melnyk he will need to scramble to find some money.
- spatso

Dear Melnyk,

In the above scenario presented by our good friend Spatso, a great way to “scramble to find some money” would be by selling the team… to competent business people, who would actually let the GM do his job.

The LeBreton law suit is something worth keeping an eye on. If they are able to get judgement against Melnyk he will need to scramble to find some money.
- spatso

We can only hope, because he has nothing! These high interest loans that he takes out yearly is beyond catching up to him too.

Does anyone recall how Melnyk went after Ian Mendes a few years ago. That situation really turned a lot of the media in this town against Melnyk, not that they werent before that but the personal attacks on Mendes were quite sickening. It really bothered Mendes, what happened and what was said about him. Yet Melnyk expected the entire city to rally around him when he was dying and needed that liver transplant. Just ask Cyril Leeder what being loyal to your boss does for you!

Dear Melnyk,

In the above scenario presented by our good friend Spatso, a great way to “scramble to find some money” would be by selling the team… to competent business people, who would actually let the GM do his job.
- PavohnDatsvares

But Dorion is a "yes" man, which is why he got the extension I am told!

Look at this years payroll, they sit at 56 million but are only paying out 50 million. It's just like the Chabot deal, the last 4 years have huge payouts.
- Kevin Francis

Many contracts around the league are set like this . Particularly the larger ones

More and more, we hear how it really is boiling down to what is backloaded, bonus structure and NMC.
- Kevin Francis

Right, but ONLY in the context of them being hell-bent on trying to get Brady to sign an 8yr extension. If it were a simple 3yr bridge like Dahlin just signed, I doubt you have anywhere near the pressure to put as much signing bonus $$$ or concerns around escalating salary. Virtually every RFA bridge deal does that without any problem, including Matthew's deal with the Flames.

As I said, I'll bet that something like Dahlin's recent deal would get this done. But if they keep trying to make Brady give up his best 4yrs of UFA status, they're going to be paying all kinds of extra money. Just take the path of least resistance, get him signed to a bridge deal that keeps at least 1 RFA year back, and let the team focus on the business of actually winning some games.

We can only hope, because he has nothing! These high interest loans that he takes out yearly is beyond catching up to him too.

Does anyone recall how Melnyk went after Ian Mendes a few years ago. That situation really turned a lot of the media in this town against Melnyk, not that they werent before that but the personal attacks on Mendes were quite sickening. It really bothered Mendes, what happened and what was said about him. Yet Melnyk expected the entire city to rally around him when he was dying and needed that liver transplant. Just ask Cyril Leeder what being loyal to your boss does for you!
- Kevin Francis

It was a bush league move by both

Right, but ONLY in the context of them being hell-bent on trying to get Brady to sign an 8yr extension. If it were a simple 3yr bridge like Dahlin just signed, I doubt you have anywhere near the pressure to put as much signing bonus $$$ or concerns around escalating salary. Virtually every RFA bridge deal does that without any problem, including Matthew's deal with the Flames.

As I said, I'll bet that something like Dahlin's recent deal would get this done. But if they keep trying to make Brady give up his best 4yrs of UFA status, they're going to be paying all kinds of extra money. Just take the path of least resistance, get him signed to a bridge deal that keeps at least 1 RFA year back, and let the team focus on the business of actually winning some games.
- khawk

This is why we are about 8 days away from who will blink first! I agree with you!
Come October 1st, the heat will hit management!

More and more, we hear how it really is boiling down to what is backloaded, bonus structure and NMC.
- Kevin Francis

If he wants a nmc.that means he has full faith in.melnyk

It was a bush league move by both
- spazzbot

Just curious, how do you think Ian was bush league?