No way he is signing here on an ELC. He's the best player the coach of Wisconsin has seen through his entire career. He can make huge cash as a UFA.
No he can't. He'd make slightly more, but would hit RFA status a year sooner. That's probably a tad more valuable.
The guy's season just ended and he wasn't playing tonight regardless, I expect him to sign sometime by the end of the week. Obviously not an insider, but that's where my money's on.
No way he is signing here on an ELC. He's the best player the coach of Wisconsin has seen through his entire career. He can make huge cash as a UFA.
I don't believe that is correct. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think at his age, he would still have to sign an ELC. As an UFA, he can choose his destination and be sure to get the maximum (not that the Ducks would necessarily be hesitant to give that to him), but he still has to sign an ELC. It's a Blake Wheeler situation, not a Matt Gilroy situation, for all I know.
What annoys me about this is that if he walks, I suspect it wouldn't have happened had we held on to Gardiner.
Right?? I mean if he wants to be with Gardiner I'm sure Burke is already on the phones with his agent if he has one.... Don't think you can while in the NCAA, but still.
If the team figures out he isn't gonna sign with them, why not try and trade him like Calgary did with Erixon last year. At least get something back for his rights instead of letting him leave via UFA. I haven't really seen to many people suggest this? Is there a reason why? Of course other then not entirely knowing what he plans to do yet.
While the thought on Gardiner is somewhat obvious to have, I really can't imagine that to be a real factor in his thoughts. It was a huge conincidence for the two to be drafted by the same team. The chance they would actually end up playing together in the NHL isn't very big. The Ducks showed enough trust in his progression to trade away another strong defenseman that happened to be his linemate.
I really don't think the Ducks trading Gardiner is a factor in him exploring all options. Gardiner playing the way he does, and being as highly regarded around the league as quickly as he is playing in a huge market, that I could see being a factor, seeing how he would get his second contract earlier, as well. I would have to throw some Subbans at him if he actually didn't sign with the Ducks, but I think it's too early to expect that.
While the thought on Gardiner is somewhat obvious to have, I really can't imagine that to be a real factor in his thoughts. It was a huge conincidence for the two to be drafted by the same team. The chance they would actually end up playing together in the NHL isn't very big. The Ducks showed enough trust in his progression to trade away another strong defenseman that happened to be his linemate.
I really don't think the Ducks trading Gardiner is a factor in him exploring all options. Gardiner playing the way he does, and being as highly regarded around the league as quickly as he is playing in a huge market, that I could see being a factor, seeing how he would get his second contract earlier, as well. I would have to throw some Subbans at him if he actually didn't sign with the Ducks, but I think it's too early to expect that.
What I was thinking when the Gardiner stuff just got thrown around, but didn't think I'd really need to say it out loud.
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