Is Burke Handicapping Himself?
- Thread starter McPwnage
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Champ Kind
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Madferret said:
That's what I've come to like about you - 60% of the time you're always right.
Kin
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I think the thing about Burke's stance that sort of immediately jumps out at me as problematic isn't so much that he didn't sign guys like Parise or Suter but rather how it would affect the team if they were dealing with one of their own players.
Lets say Kessel has another terrific season and they start negotiating an extension(for the sake of argument, let's ignore the CBA negotiations). He wants 12 years, 75 million dollars but he wants it heavily front loaded. He's not willing to budge on that. It's a very reasonable cap hit but the term/front loading would be going against what Burke has very publicly said.
In that scenario...is Kessel gone? Are the Leafs taking themselves out of the running for not just any UFA that wants a deal like that but any player on their own team? Would a great young RFA on the Leafs be in for a super contentious negotiation if they wanted a Carter/Richards sort of deal?
I mean, I joke, but it's almost a blessing that Burke hasn't burdened himself with that problem.
Lets say Kessel has another terrific season and they start negotiating an extension(for the sake of argument, let's ignore the CBA negotiations). He wants 12 years, 75 million dollars but he wants it heavily front loaded. He's not willing to budge on that. It's a very reasonable cap hit but the term/front loading would be going against what Burke has very publicly said.
In that scenario...is Kessel gone? Are the Leafs taking themselves out of the running for not just any UFA that wants a deal like that but any player on their own team? Would a great young RFA on the Leafs be in for a super contentious negotiation if they wanted a Carter/Richards sort of deal?
I mean, I joke, but it's almost a blessing that Burke hasn't burdened himself with that problem.
Champ Kind
New member
Nik? said:
I'm guessing your hypothetical scenario is right. But as I think about this more and more, I'm tending to agree that these types of contracts are not beneficial for teams. Not sure what the implications of this are. I suppose that if Burke is the only GM who won't hand out these sorts of deals, then the Leafs will surely have a problem attracting / retaining high-end talent. Flip side, they'll be much, much more flexible from a player management and cap perspective.
Moot point, I guess, if the upcoming CBA addresses contract term parameters.
bustaheims
Active member
Nik? said:
He won't do contracts that he feels have seasons on them that aren't intended to be played by the player, but, my guess is he's be able to put aside his principles to sign Kessel to an 8-10 year deal that included more money upfront than it does at the end. He has signed other front-loaded deals, after all. That is, of course, assuming there haven't been changes to in terms of contract length limits, altering how cap hits are calculated, etc in the new CBA. My guess is this won't be an issue when it comes time to sign Kessel to his next contract.
bustaheims
Active member
Nik? said:
Sure, but, Burke can sign Kessel to a very similar deal that would very much be in line with the things he's said.
BlueWhiteBlood
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Deebo said:
Me also, unless Lupul nets us a big package in trade. I'd prefer to keep him, but his value is probably as high as it gets right now.
maplesyrup
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Someone floated it yesterday but damn, Parise/Koivu/Kessel would look good (and there's the that part of the world connection.)
Guru Tugginmypuddah
Active member
In an interview the other day Burke said he won't do 10 year deals.
1. Disincentive to the player.
2. Insurance reasons.
1. Disincentive to the player.
2. Insurance reasons.
riff raff
New member
I understand Burke's position and I agree with it for the most part.
However, these are the deals that players are getting from other teams. Refusing to give them out means that the Leafs will not be in competition to sign these players - for good and bad.
As the years go by, we will see those other teams ham-strung by their long-term, big-money contracts. Right now, however, we are frustrated by the lack of any truly big-name UFAs signing with the Leafs.
There is an altogether different discussion to be had about how much big-money UFAs actually help their teams anyway.....
However, these are the deals that players are getting from other teams. Refusing to give them out means that the Leafs will not be in competition to sign these players - for good and bad.
As the years go by, we will see those other teams ham-strung by their long-term, big-money contracts. Right now, however, we are frustrated by the lack of any truly big-name UFAs signing with the Leafs.
There is an altogether different discussion to be had about how much big-money UFAs actually help their teams anyway.....
bustaheims
Active member
Nik? said:
I never said he would, but, he has said in the past that he's not against these really long contracts for the right player if the structure is right, so, he could, in theory, since Kessel to a 12 year deal that falls in line with his feelings on the matter.