So Tuesday was all about change for the Los Angeles Kings. Officially changing their uniforms, announcing that purple has left the building (save for the spiffy heritage sweaters).
And, as Helene Elliott of the Los Angeles Times tweeted, changing their offer to restricted free-agent defenseman Drew Doughty:
Kings say they've made "refined" offer to Drew Doughty that gives him different contract lengths to consider. Said they're awaiting a response in a day or two. Said everything has been amicable, will have better idea of where they are when Doughty's side responds.
So what's Doughty's side looking for contractually? Bobby Scribe of Kings blog Surly and Scribe writes it's something of a shorter term:
So, Drew wants 5. He sure as hell doesn't want 9 and has balked at 7. I would prefer 7. Actually, I would prefer as many UFA years taken away as possible, but we will put that on the "want but won't get" list.
Seven million dollar cap hit for 5 years? Stamkos got $7.5 per season ($37.5 total) for 5, right? Some look at Weber's 1 year award as the benchmark but I wonder if Steven Stamkos (another Don Meehan client) is the measuring stick with which Newport Sports Management wishes to beat Dean Lombardi down.
Beat down the Dirty Harry of NHL general managers? C'mon now.
Quisp of Jewels From The Crown isn't down with five years for Doughty:
Seriously, there is no amount of money that would make a five year deal worth it. I wouldn't do it if Doughty was willing to take $1MM a year for five years. No way I would make Doughty a UFA at 26.
The other thing about a 5-year deal? Anze Kopitar goes unrestricted in five years. Ask the Predators what having two franchise pillars looking at the exit in the same summer is like.
So the dance continues. Puck is back in Doughty's end. Will it be five years or seven years? Or something shorter?