It was just his way of dealing with it much like when players say there not going to talk contract till the season is done he doesn't want to be distracted during the playoffs
Depending on how the new CBA works out, it might really hamstring them capwise if they offer him the max. In the past, a team could have guys on the team whose bonuses would push them over the cap. (bonus cushion). However, if any of those players reached their bonuses, that amount was subtracted from their team's cap the following year. There is no bonus cushion this year and depending on how the new CBA shakes out, there may not be one next year either. So, if the Caps offer him the max and there is no bonus cushion, his cap hit would be something like $3.7M. That is a large chunk of change.
Depending on how the new CBA works out, it might really hamstring them capwise if they offer him the max. In the past, a team could have guys on the team whose bonuses would push them over the cap. (bonus cushion). However, if any of those players reached their bonuses, that amount was subtracted from their team's cap the following year. There is no bonus cushion this year and depending on how the new CBA shakes out, there may not be one next year either. So, if the Caps offer him the max and there is no bonus cushion, his cap hit would be something like $3.7M. That is a large chunk of change.
Doesn't mean they won't offer all the bonuses anyway. They really have no choice.
They do have a choice. They own his rights and at some point he might want to play here. 3.7 or whatever is the max is a lot for a guy who might not translate automatically. If he's getting third or fourth line time until he adjusts its hard to justify the full deal. For the Caps something closer to two is better.
He's playing to his crowd that he had at hand and that's the easiest for him to do.
They do have a choice. They own his rights and at some point he might want to play here. 3.7 or whatever is the max is a lot for a guy who might not translate automatically. If he's getting third or fourth line time until he adjusts its hard to justify the full deal. For the Caps something closer to two is better.
He's playing to his crowd that he had at hand and that's the easiest for him to do.
Their choice is either give him the max or darn close to it and hope he plays here or offer him close to what you are suggesting and know there is little or no chance he signs. They aren't going to have their cake and eat it to with this one.
Realistically a good chunk of that bonus money isn't even attainable unless he just has an amazing season anyway and his camp knows that. But shorting him on that kind of stuff will just make it that much easier for him to decide to stay in the KHL.
They do have a choice. They own his rights and at some point he might want to play here. 3.7 or whatever is the max is a lot for a guy who might not translate automatically. If he's getting third or fourth line time until he adjusts its hard to justify the full deal. For the Caps something closer to two is better.
He's playing to his crowd that he had at hand and that's the easiest for him to do.
RNH, Hall, Seguin get the max deal (or close to max in Seguin's case) and neither B's or Oilers worry how their game would translate. And those are Major Junior players. Kuznetsov is a star in a top adult league, plus he has already dressed for the big NT two years in a row. Either pay him or forget about him for a while.
They do have a choice. They own his rights and at some point he might want to play here. 3.7 or whatever is the max is a lot for a guy who might not translate automatically. If he's getting third or fourth line time until he adjusts its hard to justify the full deal. For the Caps something closer to two is better.
He's playing to his crowd that he had at hand and that's the easiest for him to do.
There's always a choice but in Kuz's case they better pay him the
max if they want him to play here....and if he does hit the bonuses ,good for Jim and better for us!
Quite obviously the Caps would give Kuznetsov the max ELC so its got nothing to do with positioning better for a better entry level contract. If anything it would seem more like hes pressuring KHL teams to make a better offer by saying that the NHL isnt off the table.
RNH, Hall, Seguin get the max deal (or close to max in Seguin's case) and neither B's or Oilers worry how their game would translate. And those are Major Junior players. Kuznetsov is a star in a top adult league, plus he has already dressed for the big NT two years in a row. Either pay him or forget about him for a while.
Picked #1, #1, and #2 overall. Kuznetsov, for as good as he is, is not a #1 overall pick. In fact, the only three players in the NHL with max ELCs were all #1 picks (those two and Tavares).
Last year Schenn was the #1 prospect in the NHL. He only has a $2.115M bonus on his ELC.
Picked #1, #1, and #2 overall. Kuznetsov, for as good as he is, is not a #1 overall pick. In fact, the only three players in the NHL with max ELCs were all #1 picks (those two and Tavares).
Last year Schenn was the #1 prospect in the NHL. He only has a $2.115M bonus on his ELC.
But none of those had a more lucrative option in their homeland, like Kuznetsov does.
I'll be very surprised if he doesn't get the max ELC.
There really isn't a comparable to Kuznetsov, contract wise. Closest I can think of would be Filatov ($1.35M bonus), as a #6 overall pick coming out of CSKA and spending time in Russia after the draft (granted he played in the NHL first and signed his contract before returning to Russia the first time).
Burmistrov has no bonuses, but was coming out of Canadian major juniors.
There really isn't a comparable to Kuznetsov, contract wise. Closest I can think of would be Filatov ($1.35M bonus), as a #6 overall pick coming out of CSKA and spending time in Russia after the draft (granted he played in the NHL first and signed his contract before returning to Russia the first time).
Burmistrov has no bonuses, but was coming out of Canadian major juniors.
Tarasenko's the only Russian prospect that comes close since the transfer deal expired.
I'd imagine whoever signs second will get at least what the other got.
Tarasenko's the only Russian prospect that comes close since the transfer deal expired.
I'd imagine whoever signs second will get at least what the other got.
I'd imagine no way Blues sign Tarasenko for max ELC. No leverage. He's theirs already mentally. He is a humble guy, had some talking with him. I have such impression, at least.
One penny under the max ELC from the Caps and EK quite simply is going to sign in the KHL. Even the max comes with no guarantees, but fail to offer it, and that's game over.
It's not a shade under $4M/yr, but the opportunity to have a fantastic season each year, and earn up to that figure. Huge difference; 3/4 of it is in bonuses. At the very least he's going to expect that concession. He'd still be giving up a good deal of guaranteed money.
One penny under the max ELC from the Caps and EK quite simply is going to sign in the KHL. Even the max comes with no guarantees, but fail to offer it, and that's game over.
It's not a shade under $4M/yr, but the opportunity to have a fantastic season each year, and earn up to that figure. Huge difference; 3/4 of it is in bonuses. At the very least he's going to expect that concession. He'd still be giving up a good deal of guaranteed money.
Yeah if you want him you have to offer him the max. If you don't then low ball him and see what happens. It is that simple.
