How much do you offer Cullen?

So, with Murray's comments coupled with some positive comments from Cullen in the Sun today, I thought this would be a good question to ponder.

Cullen is 33 and starting on the down side of his career. He has proven himself to be a playoff warrior and leader. Murray loves him and so does the membership here from what I can tell. After his performance I think he could really cash in on the open market and, despite his positive comments to the media, he has no ties to Ottawa and probably won't be taking a discount just to stay in a Canadian city IMO.

Basically I think it comes down to whether or not Murray is willing to pay market value for Cullen and therefore overpay by a significant margin. I would love to have him back but I think it will cost us any chance of bringing back Sutton (forget A-Train he's as good as gone).

I've made this as a poll to see what kind deal you'd be willing to give Cullen. Discuss here what you chose and why you think Cullen takes that deal.

I would offer Cullen the first option of long term with a cap hit of between 3 and 4 million. I truly believe he's worth that. I'm not sure he takes it though but I'd try something like this:

5 years front loaded with a cap hit of 3.5M. Make his most profitable years as the first 3. I would be surprised if anyone offers him 5 years when he'll be 39 by the end of it (He turns 34 in November).

Eleventy-seven Gillion dollars for infinity.

SeawaySensFan wrote:Eleventy-seven Gillion dollars for infinity.

Does that fit our Cap structure?

Edit: That's actually a very nice cap hit. Good call SSF.

Cap'n Clutch wrote:

SeawaySensFan wrote:Eleventy-seven Gillion dollars for infinity.

Does that fit our Cap structure?

Edit: That's actually a very nice cap hit. Good call SSF.

Spank you very much!

Seriously, I would try to get a 3 million dollar deal for 3 years and relent if a 4th year was a dealbreaker.

Goodness gracious...no chance I would do 5 years @ 3.5 per year when he's 35, not to mention that that's pushing it for Cullen.

I would say 3.3 X 3, but preferably he's smart enough to realize that a 3 X 3 is quite fair and the extra money can be used to make his team stronger.

So 3 X 3 or Stillman money (3.3 X 3) if he pushes really hard.

SpezDispenser wrote:Goodness gracious...no chance I would do 5 years @ 3.5 per year when he's 35, not to mention that that's pushing it for Cullen.

I would say 3.3 X 3, but preferably he's smart enough to realize that a 3 X 3 is quite fair and the extra money can be used to make his team stronger.

So 3 X 3 or Stillman money (3.3 X 3) if he pushes really hard.

Agreed 100%

SpezDispenser wrote:Goodness gracious...no chance I would do 5 years @ 3.5 per year when he's 35, not to mention that that's pushing it for Cullen.

I would say 3.3 X 3, but preferably he's smart enough to realize that a 3 X 3 is quite fair and the extra money can be used to make his team stronger.

So 3 X 3 or Stillman money (3.3 X 3) if he pushes really hard.

Yeah. So a little extra money in lieu of term. Good thinking there.

SpezDispenser wrote:Goodness gracious...no chance I would do 5 years @ 3.5 per year when he's 35, not to mention that that's pushing it for Cullen.

I would say 3.3 X 3, but preferably he's smart enough to realize that a 3 X 3 is quite fair and the extra money can be used to make his team stronger.

So 3 X 3 or Stillman money (3.3 X 3) if he pushes really hard.

He's 33.

Also offering him what you want to give him and what you think is fair is fine but this thread is about what you think Cullen will take and explaining why he takes it in lieu of going on the open market. Does Cullen take 3 X 3 when he likely gets more in the open market?

Cap'n Clutch wrote:He's 33.

Oops, I thought he was 34 turning 35 in November, not 33 turning 34. Still, it's the 3 year term that I can see being the one the Sens want, makes it a little nerve-wracking if he's turning 39 in the final year of his contract. That's getting pretty far up there.

4 years at 3-3.5 mil, I would do that no problem. This guy doesnt play a physical game and IMO is a lot like Alfi in the sense the tools he has wont be effect by age, at least not in the time between 33-37.

Cullen is somewhat of a leader, plays in all situation, can play all 3 forward positions, and is a playoff performer. I would spare no cent in signing this guy especially since Ottawa will be working with a cheap blueline for the next 3 or 4 years as well.

You cant pay Kovalev 5 mil a season then say Cullen isnt worth 3 plus. Kovalev comes off the books next year (I still like the Kovalev signing) and there will be a ton of cap space.

Letting Cullen go over an extra year or 1/2 a mil IMO would be a huge mistake. There isnt a line Cullen doesnt fit on or wont make better. He makes the PP and PK better. Simply he makes every facet of The Sens game, better.

Cap'n Clutch wrote:Also offering him what you want to give him and what you think is fair is fine but this thread is about what you think Cullen will take and explaining why he takes it in lieu of going on the open market. Does Cullen take 3 X 3 when he likely gets more in the open market?

Yeah, as always, this is the real question.

1.What does Cullen think he can get?

2.Does he want to be here?

Apparently he does want to be here, so that's fantastic. He's worth a solid 3 million, but not too much more, am I wrong? 40ish points a year, great leader, playoff performer, but not a 'star' for marketing etc. 3.3 is the most I'd pay and I LOVE this guy.

You?

Cap'n Clutch wrote:Also offering him what you want to give him and what you think is fair is fine but this thread is about what you think Cullen will take and explaining why he takes it in lieu of going on the open market. Does Cullen take 3 X 3 when he likely gets more in the open market?

He makes it seem like it will be a family-oriented decision more than anything. If minor hockey is the priority, I think a longer term and NTC would be the goal.

N4L wrote:4 years at 3-3.5 mil, I would do that no problem. This guy doesnt play a physical game and IMO is a lot like Alfi in the sense the tools he has wont be effect by age, at least not in the time between 33-37.

Cullen is somewhat of a leader, plays in all situation, can play all 3 forward positions, and is a playoff performer. I would spare no cent in signing this guy especially since Ottawa will be working with a cheap blueline for the next 3 or 4 years as well.

You cant pay Kovalev 5 mil a season then say Cullen isnt worth 3 plus. Kovalev comes off the books next year (I still like the Kovalev signing) and there will be a ton of cap space.

Letting Cullen go over an extra year or 1/2 a mil IMO would be a huge mistake. There isnt a line Cullen doesnt fit on or wont make better. He makes the PP and PK better. Simply he makes every facet of The Sens game, better.

1st bold = good compromise = sign that contract, good for both sides.

2nd bold = Murray stated that Regin wouldn't be where he is now without Kovalev. So we all know what Kovalev can do on the ice when he wants, but it's the off-ice leadership that's showing now.