Quote:
Originally Posted by nickejjjj
Hi, so, I'm in 2024 now and at July 1st Auston Matthews and Connor Hellebuyck was the top UFAs. I have two things I would like to see changed regarding UFA signings.
First off: I'd initially given Matthews a contract offer but then for cap reasons decided to remove the offer and make sure that I could solve the cap issues before pursuing him for real. I play around with making some trades (needed to shave off something like 17-18 million) and think I can manage it so I decide to offer him a contract but then I can't because he is "Sorry, I'm not interested!". This doesn't seem very realistic to me. I should at least be able to submit an offer, maybe I would need to increase it because I've backed out earlier or so but at least I should have the opportunity, I think. A simple way of doing something to erase this kind of situation would be to implemet a "complete the signing"-button after a player accepts a contract you've offered like when you complete a trade. Would make it a lot easier to negotiate with free agents.
Second, I looked at what Hellebuyck (5 star/5 star) wanted and it was 11+ million/6 years so did not pursue him. Fast forward a mere 4 days to July 5th and he signs a one year contract with CSKA Moscow for 3.75 million. This would never happen in real life that a superstar NHL player, that's not even Russian, would sign in the KHL for almost three times less than his market value. Especially not four days into free agency.
If these two things could be looked at it would be nice!
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I think the second part is an issue. I'd argue that if a GM made a contract offer to a star player, realized that he couldn't afford it, and officially rescinded said offer, then came back and said "no worries, I figured it out," it's VERY unlikely the player would have any interest in talking to that GM.