Eklund: RFA Today: Marner, Provorov, Boeser....Markov Return, or Gardiner?

We know Marner has turned down some offers, but do we know why?

Has anyone considered maybe he wants LESS than they're offering?

I still find it absolutely ridiculous that the Flyers are messing around with Provorov. Regardless of how he played last year, this is the best homegrown Dman the Flyers have had in ages, and unless they do something stupid, he is going to be their #1 Dman for the next 10 years. The whole team stunk last year, for many reasons, so his stats last season mean nothing to me. Get a long term deal done where you are paying too much the first couple of seasons, but will be worth it on the rest of the deal. Get it done and move on.

No bad blood. Don't believe it. Business is business and it will eventually get done.

I still find it absolutely ridiculous that the Flyers are messing around with Provorov. Regardless of how he played last year, this is the best homegrown Dman the Flyers have had in ages, and unless they do something stupid, he is going to be their #1 Dman for the next 10 years. The whole team stunk last year, for many reasons, so his stats last season mean nothing to me. Get a long term deal done where you are paying too much the first couple of seasons, but will be worth it on the rest of the deal. Get it done and move on.
- FlyerAdam30

Provorov + for Marner?

Operators are standing by...

We know Marner has turned down some offers, but do we know why?

Has anyone considered maybe he wants LESS than they're offering?
- SolidGoldBricks

We don't know that Marner has turned down some offers.

We know Marner has turned down some offers, but do we know why?

Has anyone considered maybe he wants LESS than they're offering?
- SolidGoldBricks

I doubt anyone thinks that.

And I don't think Marner has turned down any offers. Teams have only talkedw ith him,

We know Marner has turned down some offers, but do we know why?

Has anyone considered maybe he wants LESS than they're offering?
- SolidGoldBricks

Ummmm, then why would negotiations take so long?

We know Marner has turned down some offers, but do we know why?

Has anyone considered maybe he wants LESS than they're offering?
- SolidGoldBricks

We know Marner has turned down some offers, but do we know why?

Has anyone considered maybe he wants LESS than they're offering?
- SolidGoldBricks

Wow!!! Leaf homer #1 right here. Please don’t give me 10 million. I only want 7. I’m sure it went exactly like that.

Meanwhile, in the real world, were you hit in the head repeatedly with a solid gold brick?

Provorov + for Marner?

Operators are standing by...
- Atomic Wedgie

Fair trade would be 1 for 1.

Wow!!! Leaf homer #1 right here. Please don’t give me 10 million. I only want 7. I’m sure it went exactly like that.

Meanwhile, in the real world, were you hit in the head repeatedly with a solid gold brick?
- Ihatebrianburke

Luckily that solid gold brick sailed right over your head, along with his joke

Fair trade would be 1 for 1.
- Ihatebrianburke

Nope

I get why Ek does this each and every day but seriously, the content has been very weak at best the last few days. Must be August. Regardless, it does give a forum to speak our mind.

That said, it is becoming ridiculous with the game of chicken that everyone are playing. All these RFA's are just waiting for someone to sign and no one wants to go first. Let's face it, they're ALL going to get paid...but will have to be paid within the amount of cap space that teams have. I get that agents like to compare players against players but it also has a lot to do with your teammates and more specifically linemates.

Point - great talent and should get paid. Tax situation helps them.
Marner - cap space is there. If I'm him I take a short term of 3 years and then go back to the well once the cap goes up. He'll still be under the control of the Leafs by that point.
Provorov - again, just look at the team. The Flyers should really try to not screw this up.

Matthews had it right. Get it done in the middle of the season. Do you honestly think his training has any distractions this summer other than thinking about how to spend all that money?

For all the other RFA's, September is coming and there's no contracts. People tend to make a big deal about the 'missing training camp' effect. How about the no contract all summer and having that in the back of your mind while you're training.

Fair trade would be 1 for 1.
- Ihatebrianburke

Is that you Peter Chiarelli?

So Provorov, Werenski, and McAvoy love hockey and hate the business (although probably love the money)...But why exactly are they losing sleep right now? Last time I checked it's August and they haven't missed a single game. They also aren't facing a microphone everyday. I'm sure each is simply enjoying the summer, following their usual training regimen, and leaving 99% of the work to their agency. Write this article again when they are about to miss an actual hockey game...sure at that point they may instruct their agent to give in and get this done. But maybe there is more in private that you can't make public.

So Provorov, Werenski, and McAvoy love hockey and hate the business (although probably love the money)...But why exactly are they losing sleep right now? Last time I checked it's August and they haven't missed a single game. They also aren't facing a microphone everyday. I'm sure each is simply enjoying the summer, following their usual training regimen, and leaving 99% of the work to their agency. Write this article again when they are about to miss an actual hockey game...sure at that point they may instruct their agent to give in and get this done. But maybe there is more in private that you can't make public.
- uofcguy

I'd feel more comfortable if we all speculated about these guys more.

Never in my life I thought it would come to the point now where RFA's and there agents would have there teams by the gnads! Everybody playing a game of chicken to see who blinks first! I can guarantee you in the next lockout (cause there will be one) the owners will be pushing for a certain contract limit in years/amount that can be paid to an RFA.

Fair trade would be 1 for 1.
- Ihatebrianburke

How much will Provorov's contract he for?

How much will Marner's contract be for?

Please explain the discrepancy.

Thank you for your time.

How much will Provorov's contract he for?

How much will Marner's contract be for?

Please explain the discrepancy.

Thank you for your time.
- Atomic Wedgie

Correct, yes

Never in my life I thought it would come to the point now where RFA's and there agents would have there teams by the gnads! Everybody playing a game of chicken to see who blinks first! I can guarantee you in the next lockout (cause there will be one) the owners will be pushing for a certain contract limit in years/amount that can be paid to an RFA.
- NewfieStud

I mean, they're completely within their rights to do this. I don't see what the problem is.

I mean, they're completely within their rights to do this. I don't see what the problem is.
- eichiefs9

How dare these players exert their rights as determined by the CBA that the league agreed to! Outrage outrage outrage they should all be grateful and play for free!

Saw the news on TSN saying that Don Waddell does not have a contract with Hurricanes as of June 30th.

Then, how can he speak on behalf of the Hurricanes concerning contracts to RFA and UFA on July 1rst ?

How dare these players exert their rights as determined by the CBA that the league agreed to! Outrage outrage outrage they should all be grateful and play for free!
- bulet13

But they're young and young people don't deserve money

How much will Provorov's contract he for?

How much will Marner's contract be for?

Please explain the discrepancy.

Thank you for your time.
- Atomic Wedgie

I personally believe Provorov's agent is trying to get at least an Ekblad type deal with less term (7.5m for 5 years). Even if that contract was an 8 year term I would be running away...hence why he hasn't signed yet.

Provorov played pretty good for a 19 year old and especially well for a 20 year old then sadly he regressed quite a lot for a 3rd year pro. Asking for 7.5m a year would be well worth it for a defenseman at the cusp of Norris Trophy type level, but the problem is he has yet to be even at any type of consistent All-Star level play at all in his career. His play has been based mostly on his relative age and not compared to the play of other defensemen in the league.

His agent only has 2 arguments to use:

1) Minutes played. Roughly 22-25 TOI average for his 3 seasons in the league. Now having a minute eater on defense is always wanted, but it is not about how many minutes a game you play, it is about how many GOOD minutes you play. Reference MacDonald, Andrew on the New York Islanders (Averaged 25:25 TOI in 2013-2014 and 23:31 in 2012-2013).

2) Provorov had a production 2nd season. He "led" the league in goals for defensemen (17). Which I guess is a good accomplishment it still really isn't that special when other years top defensemen are scoring 20-30+ goals. It certainly isn't 7.5m good.

I believe Provorov still has a ton of potential to be better, but potential is just that. Prove something first before comparing yourself to others who have actually done it. Sign a 2 year deal for 4.5m-5m play at an all-star level for a couple years then ask for more.