Alfie a UFA?

Very interesting piece in the Sun today on Alfie's contract status:

http://www.ottawasun.com/Sports/Senators/2008/09/20/6822071-sun.html

It turns out that, if Alfie plays 70+ games and scores 70+ points this season, he is eligible to become a UFA -- which means that, barring any significant injury, he's for sure going to have the option of declaring himself a UFA.

Apparently, we've already starting talking contract extension. Should be interesting to see how this one goes down... more huge home-town discounts, or will we finally have to pay him the $6+ mil he's definitely worth?

He's worth more to this team than Spezza or Heatley. $6M is not enough. That said, he could definitely continue working for the organization long after his playing days are done. How much does a good-will ambassador make anyway? We could probably quadruple that, to start negotiations.

wprager wrote:He's worth more to this team than Spezza or Heatley. $6M is not enough. That said, he could definitely continue working for the organization long after his playing days are done. How much does a good-will ambassador make anyway? We could probably quadruple that, to start negotiations.

Age, looming retirement, CBA considerations with respect to players over 35, etc., will all be factors. Has Joe Sakic been worth more than $6 these past 3 years? Yes. Has he settled for 1 yr, $6 mil deals time and again? Yes.

I expect something similar with Alfie, if he doesn't altogether decline the option to become a UFA and just go with the options on his current deal. But certainly no one will begrudge him more if that's what he's looking for.

In my opinion, Alfredsson is well worth the 6+ million he should command if he opts out of his contract to become a UFA. And I doubt Melnyk or Murray will have any issue with paying Alfredsson his worth.