In a land far far away existed a great simulation hockey league. A different General Manager took over the day to day operations. He realized that the dollar amounts attached to previous sign and trade amounts was not realistic and upped the minimum amounts. Some of the masses went crazy. Expressions such as "you can't do that" and "we should have been warned" were common. 

In the corner sat the oldest GM of the league. Lacking in hockey expertise but long on life experience and a hope that the league could get more realistic he applauded the move. He was mocked . His first thought why should a GM have been warned about the higher minimum bid amounts unless they were counting on or expecting to get an unfair discount on a player. GM's starting chanting "free agency works, sign and trade works". The elder statemen then asked "what constitutes works?" Nobody had an answer. The only nonsensical answer was that nobody was willing to pay the price. Everyone knows that most GM's don't value winning and over value draft picks which restricts bidding.  Should premium players get a dollar amount similiar to what it would have cost a GM to resign him? Should he at least get what his NHL salary is  if it is less than the cost to re-sign him. Is it fair that a GM expects a $6,000,000 discount on a premium player.  Serious questions deserve serious answers. 

Example 1 is Nathan McKinnon, one of the premier players in the NHL.                                                                                              To resign him to a 4 year contract would be $17,640,000 a year.                                                                                                          His NHL salary is $12,600,000.                                                                                                                                                                Are you telling me that signing him to a $9.5 contract is considered working ?

Example 2 is William Nylander.                                                                                                                                                              To re-sign him to a 4 year contract would be $16,100,000 a year.                                                                                                        His NHL salary is $11,500,000 a year.                                                                                                                                                    Are you telling me signing him to a $8,500,000 contract is working? 

One thought it to drastically reduce the compensation amounts to encourage bidding.   

Here is another thought. I would like to see the following implemented immediately (I know it won't). The minimium bid should be upped to 90% of his NHL salary or the cost to re-sign him whichever is lower. If nobody bids on that player his GM gets the option to sign him at that amount or he becomes an UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENT.     

I have a lot pension dollars and social security dollars that says if Nathan McKinnon was an unrestricted free agent  somebody would bid $11,000,000 for him (I would). 

My name is L James Linke and I approve this message.