Mathew Barzal

If I was Bo I would start at 5 years, 6.5 per as my top dollar.

5 years would bring him to unrestricted free agency. But also in 5 years the cap will be much higher and the bar for players like him will be more around the 7M mark. Signing for 8 years would be foolish unless he gets that kind of money.

I'm actually more inclined to sign him a 4 year contract to retain him as a RFA and then go for the long term deal on him.

The more years you buy from his UFA negotiating years will likely cost you a higher caphit which can be dangerous if he doesn't live up to that number.  Plus guys like Sutter will have finally come off his final year on his deal (if he isn't dealt before then) and you can use that money towards Bo.

I would rather sign that kind of deal like a 4x4.75 or 4x5 contract to say okay you earned this but we want to see more too.

As much as it makes me nervous and uneasy, its a good precedent to make for players going forward and future signings for our players.

yes. his agent is just being an agent. probably waited for unsigned offer sheets as leverage. looking at comparables and also at a bit of intangible stuff like "C" material and being a local favourite, i think it'll be in the 6milx8year range, maybe 8 years 50 mil, something like that.