CapGeek is showing 6M as his salary as well. I thought it would be escalating starting at like 4.5M ending at 7.5M.

Maybe they should do Eberle at 2 years 10M. This would still leave 2 years of RFA and both sides see where he's at then.

Ya kinda have to agree with you there. When the player comes out and says something like that you have to wonder, did the GM even try to negotiate a better deal? Now combine that with the Sutton and Dubnyk contracts and you really can make an arguement that they really have no clue how to maximize contract values.

I don't see where all the hate for Tambo comes from, I means he isn't a great GM but we added a potential top line forward in our first overall, we added a defenseman who many ppl said had he been drafted this year he would be first or second overall and has potential to be a top 2 defenceman, we resigned the best goalie in the ahl to backup dub in case nik fails hard again, we resigned smytty who is still a quality depth player even if he isnt first line LW anymore. We also signed our best player to a reasonable contract. Just having dubby playing more games after Christmas = more wins. I mean sure it's not all Tambo and some moves were Klowe and macT. If all those moves were made by any other team then the city would be rejoicing, not complaining that we didn't do enough.

A sheet is $1, its a $1 bill, a sheet, paper money. We have our plastic now (credit and cash variety) but they are referring to U.S. $

He's the real deal. Despite the naysayers, maybe including Jason the Strudwick,the guy is a star, the heart of the team. If not now, soon.

If you think RNH, JE, Yak, Schultz the Younger and Klefbom are heart, soul and core going forward, the bar has been set. 6 guys and maybe as much as $36M going forward. In 7 years or so, what % of payroll does this represent? Who knows?

The CBA calls for a roll-back, a Euro collapse spreads globally, the impact of which lasts not years but decades, the Republicans win the next 3 successive federal elections - lotsa stuff to worry about if one is a worrier.Bottom line? Congratulations Oiler braintrust!It's a gamble well worth taking.

These players have agents. People paid to be savvy with respect to money, which allows the players to say whatever the hell they want because they aren't the one negotiating. No doubt Hall is amazed by the money, but I will bet that he has a burning desire to show the fans that he is worth every penny. I look forward to seeing that!

Here is the top definition of 'sheets' from urban dictionary. Can't believe you didn't check there, Wanye. Especially when you call someone out on it and you're the one that is wrong.

Sheets

Slang term for paper money.

'Joe still owes me twenty sheets.'

Exactly. Hall's people were not going to sign a contract much, if at all, south of $6 Mil, giving up three years of UFA eligibility (under this CBA anyway). Pretty decent contract for a #1 overall who, despite a couple injuries, has looked pretty damn good.

I doubt any of those 4 will retire as Oilers. However, considering how much the very generic 29 year-old D Wideman earns, this deal glows. Eberle, because of draft pedigree, will command less and RNH, for the same reason and because he plays centre, slightly more. Yak is headed to the KHL when the lockout happens and will doubtless meet a nice farm girl with a large dowry of goats and is unlikely to return.Just kidding about Yak so don't get excited.

8 years from now the re-stocking of the Oiler cupboards will commence when Hall is traded to NYR for prospects and picks(hopefully not cash).

Hall has never scored 60 points.

He's paid more than Tavares and a million more than a Selke winner who has 41 goals on his resume.

50\50 it's a bad contract.

For all the eye rolling we do at DSF here, he does have a point. Taylor Hall hasnt really accomplished anything in the NHL to warrant a 6 million dollar payday.

I think it's a decent gamble to take on a player, but it's still gambling.

Every long term contract is 50/50

Gomez, Horcoff, Redden, DiPietro and the list goes on.

Tavares signed after his 2nd season where he scored at 0.84 points per game.

Hall signed after his 2nd season where he scored at 0.86 p/g.

It was just as much of a gamble.

Edit: Note Tavares signed BEFORE his 81 pts. Locking your star players up is what you are supposed to do.

Nonsense

Tavares scored 29 goals and 67 points in his second season.

He has NOT been injured and was NOT coming off major surgery when he signed his contract,

His contract is also for less money and shorter term.

Durability has value.

See Hemsky, Ales for reference.

(another boneheaded contract)

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HoaFWI5S0Q&feature=youtube_gdata_player

I would wager Holland and Gillis wouldn't.

I also get it know. DSF

D&%$ S$@#$# Flames Fan

Nuff Said.

@DSF

You mean like giving a 42 yr old player a 7 million dollar contract? When he would have taken about 5.

Or like giving a goalie a long term contract that' he can't move?

Good deal for both parties.. You have your No.1 signing for another 7 yrs... More of the same to come from the balance of the Fab 4. This is a team that cannot attract UFA's, so rebuidling with high draft picks there's a price to be paid, but you can have these stars long term. Tambelini has more work toget done with the Vet, roster, and a couple more D men with seasons on their blades.Also a back up goalie. For those who think he's over paid, this is a bargain compared to Paraise's contract.

DSF,

I think we all realize its a gamble on Taylor Hall with this contract however Arch said it best on LT's article which agrees with your argument and at the same time is a very likely scenario of whats to come:

1) I really dont think Hall earned this contract. Lots of missed time, not enough ACTUAL points being put up.

2) I think he will earn this contract.

3) Actually, by the middle of this contract we will probably be laughing at 6 million dollars for Hall.

And thats the point as to why every Oilers fan should be excited. See point 3 Arch makes. By the middle of this contract we will probably be laughing at 6 million dollars for Hall. The kid hasn't fully proven himself yet but some minor tweeks and this contract confidence boost will definitely help. Only time will tell. Go lead us to a Stanley cup Taylor Hall!

What??? No Tambellini bashing comments from the joker?

Hey DSF, what's it like to finish first but to place last? Just because Kurt Russell's privileged kid plays in your hood don't mean he any good!

Oiler Domination To Follow

"When they said Seven years I didnt blink, Im comfortable being here for that long. I think by that time.... I hope we're a perennial threat. That's my main goal and my mindset when i signed this deal"

This is not only a great goal scorer the Oilers signed for the long haul, but an incredible leader. He showed his leadership and dedication to this team off the ice when he flew out to make sure Justin signed here.

Great Great Signing, article below I was hoping Halls agent wouldnt read:

http://www.coppernblue.com/2012/8/21/2642937/taylor-hall-best-young-forward-NHL#storyjump

If the wager is you shutting up, I'll take that bet. Any chance we can do a half season? I'd rather not wait 'till April to claim my prize of silence.

I understand the point. But if you want him to give up UFA years it is going to cost. What number / term would have made you say "this is a fair deal"?

This is a #1 with crazy skill and a hell bent for leather attitude. We are not talking Alex Daigle here. He has had a couple of freak injuries and an old shoulder injury. I get there is a risk but the same could be said for anyone. Crosby and M Savard were not considered reckless players but sadly their careers are tenuous and done, respectively.

Hall should be a ppg player. Not sure what structure of contract you wanted to see. A series of 1 or 2 year deals until he walks at 25?

Just as many, including myself, need to take off the rose-colored shades at times, please step out from the dark cloud once in awhile. I know the Oil have sucked for a long while but you have to admit at some point something has to work out, even by accident. There are brighter days ahead. Promise.

EDIT: Tavares' contract was unquestionably a good deal for the Isles - a bargain. But Wax Man's point was had the Isles waited until the end of season 3, he would have gotten more money. Pretty tough not to agree with that logic. Also, you liked the shorter term. I am curious why you would sign a player right to the end of his RFA status? A four or five year deal to Hall would have been poor asset management IMO.

not yet . . . but check out my take with LT 's piece back one article ...comment #66

no joke laddie

no bashing

just the same'ol same'ol

Gracious!!! I think I would really enjoy being Tyler Seguins agent about now...... his woody must be quite epic.

FWIW... hall is quite a dashing young fellow (in a horse teeth and fridge magnet kinda way) and sir Katz loves his toys shiny and splendid.

is it too early to have a discussion on a Napoleon complex and its manifestations in our owner?

Well Wanye...I have had to put up with a lot here, your bizzaro spelling of your name and how the F*** do you pronounce that anyways? Wong-ye? wannneeee? then there is your weird crayon-digital graphics that always look like your were pissed when you put them together and finally its your constant barrage of stolen you-tube clips from obscure Rap stars that seem to have been made in someone's basement and are used to somehow give reference to the theme of your post but invariably are just confusing and unlistenable.

thanks Man...love ya

Ill find it hilarious if Eberle signs a 7 year 42.1 million dollar contract.

So for 7 years he can rub it in his buddies face that he makes more.

WOW This signing is awesome! I would drink myself stupid to celebrate, but I am in a dry camp. I guess I'll have to settle for milk or juice chugging.

I like the term of the deal and the dollars make sense when comparing the deal Skinner received... Although one can argue that this contract is one of the biggest problems within the ownership group - I have to give props to Tambo for this deal...

I just find it hilarious that the ownership group is trying to limit contracts to 5-6 years with this CBA, yet three GM's signed marquee players to longer terms... Doesn't make one want to cheer for the owners this time around.

This is a good deal for the Oilers. There isn't a team in the league that wouldn't give him this same deal or bigger if they had the cap space.

I would have prefered 10 years so we had him through his entire prime, but 7 years is a good length.

Those comparing it to Tavares have to remember that Tavares was a great deal for the Isles and he is the exact same percentage of the cap as Hall is. Wages do go up over time in the NHL the same as they do in every other industry.

I would have prefered a bigger discount and seen him between 5 and 5.5 but there is no question that if Hemsky is worth 5 million Hall is worth 7+

I think the main reason they trid to get this done before the season is that the CBA may very well limit contract length to 5 years and they would like to have both Hall and Eberle locked up longer then that if possible.

YOU CAN PROPZZ YOUR OWN COMMENTZZ??

Premature? You expect a 20 yr old to put up 100 points in the NHL? I'm sure you'll supply us with a list of post-lockout 20 yr olds who have achieved the century mark though.

While you're at it, give us a list of all 100 point players from last season, and their age and salary. And then tell us how many of these 100 point players played on bad teams... because Hall's 0.86 ppg isn't too shabby, when put in perspective.

Having said that, I also agree with your basic message, to a point. Giving such young players this much money is crazy, but the Oilers are not to blame for the economic landscape in the NHL. The facts are, that $6M/yr doesn't buy that much today.

Saw this on another blog today that perhaps DSF frequents when he's not on Oilers blogs:

"What have you done today other than patrol these blogs? What did you do yesterday? The day before? The last three years? What will you do tomorrow other than patrol these blogs? What will you do the next day? How about the next three years of precious life? How do you feel knowing you spend every moment of every day patrolling these blogs, miserable, yet with no ability to ever make a positive change in your life?"

Make a short list of his future predictions and then a list of his criticisms questioning why the Oilers didn't act like another team.

I can't seem to think of a single "prediction" other than his belief that Henrik Samuelsson will be the best player in last years draft.

"wants the Oilers to be better"

But that would reduce his shtick all the down way to 2/10 would not bang.

I feel like I've failed you. I always try to show you the love you need so that you'll stop saying ridiculous things just to get a reaction from others.

Hall's contract isn't a deal now, but it's important because it's set the "no one gets paid more" cap at $6M. It's less of a deal than a line in the sand.

I tried to make you some cookies so I could apologize for not making you feel valued, but I ended up eating them all because I'm so disappointed in myself. I will continue to help you gain your self-confidence so you don't have to be so silly.

*HUG*

So Hall signs a new contract, and the ON writers all quit? Or has there been a medical emergency after hearing the news?

If Hall's deal means "no one gets paid more", I think there's an excellent chance the Oilers will be bidding goodbye to Eberle and Hopkins.

They're both better players and likely won'y be real happy watching Hall collect all that coin while on IR.

A lot has been eluded to Eberle getting a very similar deal to Hall. I would also guess that both boys are happy to let Hall be the leader and they can play a little further out of the lime light. From everything that I've seen of RNH I think he is willing to play for less if he doesn't have to be in the camera all the time. I could be wrong but we'll see.

Also, I'd be surprized if any player envies a player who is on the IR. Do you like seeing your coworkers hurt?

Wait a second are you on the IR? Here have another *HUG* to help you get better.

Note: mental illness is a legitimate reason to be off work

All of this is just nonsense.

Eberle has the toughest agent in the NHL...Don Meehan.

Hopkins agent is Rick Valette who works for Alan Walsh's Octagon Sports.

Both are sharks and won't be taking discounts so Eberle and Hopkins "don't have to go on camera".

Being stupid is NOT a legitimate reason to be off work.

Tell your boss.

...so DSF a question for you, the master of disaster

... y'think this deal will give Horcoff 42 million reasons to relinquish the "C"?

AND the number ten for Yak to wear?

Surely he's not the kind that needs these articles ripped from his grasp...

Horcoff is hardly the kind of guy who gives up anything.

I'd wager, if you asked him, he thinks he's worth $5.5M/year.

... i can hear the chants already ....when 4 scores a goal or two or three i hear ...GIVE HIM THE "C"! GIVE HIM THE "C"! GIVE>>>>

and when Nail gets some points outta the gate i hear GIVE HIM THE TEN !GIVE HIM THE TEN! GIVE...

or will it be BUY HIM OUT! BUY HIM OUT!

Which of the last 10 or so forwards taken 1st overall aren't worth 6+ million per year?