The Radko Gudas saga has dragged on way to long and is causing tension in the locker room of The Greatest Expansion Team in the History of the BRHL. There have been many nibbles but salary seems to be the sticking point (and rightfully so). His CK is 98 and his DEF is 92. What would you pay for him in free agency ? The following contracts were signed in the off season :

Mark Giordano                $12.5 M

Alex Gogloinski               $  8.3 M

Justin Braun                   $  7.0 M

Aaron Staalman              $  6.5 M

Mark Staal                     $  6.0 M

Andy Greene                  $  4.0 M  (at first glance a good comp as Greene's def is 1 number higher but checking is only a 71 and                                                    Gudas' is 7 years younger.   

Ron Hainsey                  $  3.0 M    ( 90 def, 76 ck, 9 years older)

The question is what is Radko Gudas worth to you ? EVERYTHING is on the table. Want full retention for all 3 years, can be done. If I am retaining $13 M expect to give up a # 1 pick or a comparable package. If I retain $4 M the last two years the price will drop.  One thing to remember is if you owe him little or no money he will have trade value going into the his last year and you can recoup some of your assets.

The price has always been a # 3 rounder and a prospect with me retaining appx $2.5 m in any year you want. Want a 2nd year of $2.5 M retained, add a 6th rounder or a prospect to the package. Want a 3rd year of $2.5 M retained change the 6th rounder to a 5th rounder. As retention goes up, so does the price.