Have you seen some of the stupid contracts handed out? Some players who got longer term, higher caphit contracts include the likes of Clarkson, Weiss, Filpulla, and the worst of them all, Clowe. Would anyone who can think rationally seriously take any of those players over a 24 year old Gagner? He's been a consistent 40-50 point center for his entire career and looked to be finally coming into his own this past season. He'd be a second line center on any team other than teams like Pittsburgh/Boston/SJS that have two legit first line centers, and would probably be a first liner on teams like Buffalo/Florida/Nashville. Gagner was going into arbitration, which would've made him a UFA in a year, so he was effectively negotiating as an impending UFA. Had Gagner hit UFA, he would've bagged 5.5 million on a long term contract easily. 4.8 million is certainly no bargain, but it's a tradable contract, especially considering it's only 3 years. It's a lot less of a joke than paying that much over a longer period to a one hit wonder Clarkson or an over the hill Clowe.