VCRW
Classic player
I don't think you caught the irony in citing Kane. Before his current contract, Kopitar wanted Kane/Toews money. But Dean would only give him $10 million, not $10.5. But then Doughty drove the greed wagon right up to the Bank of AEG while Blake was at the helm. How could Rob say no with his history of salary negotiations with the Kings? But that contract became an impediment to the rebuild.Patrick Kane took a discount to play in Chicago? Or he signed a prove-it deal in Detroit since he could have been Nick Backstrom 2.0? Sorry, that isn't a good example. Again, name one or two two 35+ players on a team friendly deal.
In comparison, look at what Stamkos and Bergeron did for their teams throughout their careers to help their teams ice the best players. I don't blame players for wanting to get paid. It's their right and they deserve it. But, as they say, money isn't everything.
I am an independent professional in the entertainment business. I can command a pretty high weekly salary, but I often take less than max possible so there is room in the budget to surround myself with the best people available on the audio crew. That philosophy has worked extremely well during my 45-year career.
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