ClamRussel wrote:
I didn't say Horton earned that per say, I said that's why the GM mentioned him (as in - not comparing them) and Dubinsky (just as veteran examples who put in their time). I agree w/ the GM that a kid having one good season doesn't warrant those numbers. UFA season is a different situation & salaries always get blown out of proportion.
While I have no problem playing hardball with an RFA (why negotiate against yourself, if he wants to play, he'll sign), it's the negotiating in public that really makes no sense. You can say he hasn't earned it, but he's already a better hockey player than Nathan Horton, who's never had a 33 goal or 63 point season. It's a pretty idiotic comparison (or even mentioning them together), IMO. Why even bring up Horton and Dubinsky? You know it's apples and oranges, the player knows its apples and oranges.
The biggest threat to Johansen is not playing hockey. If he doesn't sign, he doesn't A) get any money, or B) play professional hockey this season, and C) is no closer to UFA status. I'm sure he's heard these arguments already, why throw them into the newspaper? What kind of pressure does that put on the kid? None. Ultimately it could be self-defeating, as the consequences of pissing off your franchise player are quite high. If you're lucky he only asks for market value when his bridge deal is up (a la Subban), and if you're not he does the bare minimum until he can bolt in Free Agency.
Just because Columbus has made the playoffs and a bandaid UFA like Horton signed there, does not make them an attractive team. Pissing on your star player during contract negotiations makes Columbus look even more bush-league than they already are. Don't take last season for granted, give the kid a fair bridge deal and make him earn his next one.
All that being said, if Kekalainin really wants to make a point, he could trade Johansen to Vancouver.