Kevin Francis: Brady Tkachuk contract extension, very close to being signed!

Big dollars!

Big dollars!
- spatso

I was told on the first day of single ticket sales, that the front office was disappointed, well below expectations is what I was told. Not surprising though. The owner needs to stand by his statement of spending during this 5 year window.

Fans have been fooled by him before, so now the fans are the ones with the upper hand. They are waiting to see if he does as he said he would.

Big dollars!
- spatso

Indeed.

I don't get the higher AAV on the shorter deal though. Its not like he's of the age where the last couple years should show significant (or any) regression. What would be the advantage for the Sens in that set-up?

I was told on the first day of single ticket sales, that the front office was disappointed, well below expectations is what I was told. Not surprising though. The owner needs to stand by his statement of spending during this 5 year window.

Fans have been fooled by him before, so now the fans are the ones with the upper hand. They are waiting to see if he does as he said he would.
- Kevin Francis

Melnyk is and will continue to be a drag on all revenue streams. He has made enemies in just about every segment of business and government. I have grave doubts of his being able to repair the damage. I think his choices around the Senator Foundation was a last straw for many.

I hope they find a solution. But it will not be easy.

Hopefully a deal can get done soon. It would be good news going into camp

Thanks for the info on Saturdays game....

So it is a sign-and-trade to the Blues?

Indeed.

I don't get the higher AAV on the shorter deal though. Its not like he's of the age where the last couple years should show significant (or any) regression. What would be the advantage for the Sens in that set-up?
- Beergu

Columbus did something that other teams will pick up on soon enough. They traded Jones to Chicago with a year left on his deal. The opposite is a whole bunch of teams are getting cap destroyed through long term deals that become unmovable unless you pay a severe penalty.

Tkachuk is a more valuable, negotiable asset on the shorter term deal.

Indeed.

I don't get the higher AAV on the shorter deal though. Its not like he's of the age where the last couple years should show significant (or any) regression. What would be the advantage for the Sens in that set-up?
- Beergu

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

Columbus did something that other teams will pick up on soon enough. They traded Jones to Chicago with a year left on his deal. The opposite is a whole bunch of teams are getting cap destroyed through long term deals that become unmovable unless you pay a severe penalty.

Tkachuk is a more valuable, negotiable asset on the shorter term deal.
- spatso

As I have said for a few weeks on here, I like the 6 year deal. Then management can re-assess to see where things are at.

Hopefully a deal can get done soon. It would be good news going into camp
- david22

Everyone from the owner, to management, you name it.....they all need this done for so many reasons that have been talked about for too long on here.

Thanks for the info on Saturdays game....
- dozerD10

No problem, glad to get that info out there!

Melnyk is and will continue to be a drag on all revenue streams. He has made enemies in just about every segment of business and government. I have grave doubts of his being able to repair the damage. I think his choices around the Senator Foundation was a last straw for many.

I hope they find a solution. But it will not be easy.
- spatso

We have both talked about it on here for awhile now that Melnyk has many situations to repair. Heck the guy still won't go on local radio to talk to anyone, but goes on Toronto radio.

Indeed.

I don't get the higher AAV on the shorter deal though. Its not like he's of the age where the last couple years should show significant (or any) regression. What would be the advantage for the Sens in that set-up?
- Beergu

I’m with you on this one. I immediately looked up his age thinking he must be older than I thought. If those are the options no chance he goes for 8 years with 6 on the table at a higher aav

Kevin, if Brady sign a long term contract. If this is because he know something we don’t, like a Eichel trade ( you have be quiet on this lately) or maybe the team promised to go after M.Tkachuk if Calgary not in the playoff race

We shouldn’t be so hard on Eugene Melynk, without him stepping up to the plate we probably would have lost the franchise to a USA city. The decision to break up the broken team and rebuild was brilliant. The Senators future looks promising and Melynk has put his money into the team as he said he would. If Brady signs then the criticism should stop. He cares!

Announcement should come tomorrow as it is bradys birthday tomorrow too so why not announce his extension on his birthday lol

Kevin, if Brady sign a long term contract. If this is because he know something we don’t, like a Eichel trade ( you have be quiet on this lately) or maybe the team promised to go after M.Tkachuk if Calgary not in the playoff race
- Crosside

His brother's name has never come up from what I am told. This is purely Brady's desire to play here. Eichel stuff has gone silent for a reason, his new agent Pat Brisson is super and knows how to work the landscape behind the scenes.

Sokolov has been turning heads during the early skating.

Another big body. He has worked on improving his skating. He already knows how to put the puck in the net.

Be nice to shift from Eichel and Brady and all the other intrigue so we can talk about what is happening on the ice.

We shouldn’t be so hard on Eugene Melynk, without him stepping up to the plate we probably would have lost the franchise to a USA city. The decision to break up the broken team and rebuild was brilliant. The Senators future looks promising and Melynk has put his money into the team as he said he would. If Brady signs then the criticism should stop. He cares!
- Barrykerr1

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.

Announcement should come tomorrow as it is bradys birthday tomorrow too so why not announce his extension on his birthday lol
- SENS-sational

Beat me to it!

Sokolov has been turning heads during the early skating.

Another big body. He has worked on improving his skating. He already knows how to put the puck in the net.

Be nice to shift from Eichel and Brady and all the other intrigue so we can talk about what is happening on the ice.
- spatso

Do you think he makes the team this year, or will he spend another year in Belleville?

I for one think he'll spend at least most of this seson in Belleville, maybe get a few callups.

Do you think he makes the team this year, or will he spend another year in Belleville?

I for one think he'll spend at least most of this seson in Belleville, maybe get a few callups.
- david22

I think you are right. It seems to be the way Dorion operates.

I think you are right. It seems to be the way Dorion operates.
- spatso

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.