Page 135 of The Tryout

Huh. That certainly wasn’t on my list of topics for this meeting.

Porter clears his throat.

“Yes, for two years, starting next season. There’s some concern about your knee and whether it will hold up to the rigors of an NHL season, but we told the Huskies it hasn’t seemed to be an issue so far and it’s worth testing.”

It hasn’t, that’s true. And yes, part of that is because I’ve put work into icing and stretching and talking to the trainer, but honestly, it’s barely been tight for the past month.

Porter goes on.

“There are some aging pieces in the Huskies defensive corps, and they’d like to get a sense of how much draft capital they’ll need to deal with that and how much we might be able to provide.”

Ethan. I mean, I’m sure it’s not just Ethan, but the reality is that in the next five years or so, he won’t be playing and someone else will need to fill the spot. The question is who. I’m sure Briggs was originally part of that calculation, but now I wonder if that’s still the case.

Porter and Banks look at me and I realize they’re waiting to hear my answer. Perhaps more surprisingly, I find I don’t have one.

“Well, I mean, thanks. I appreciate the offer.”

They continue to watch me, waiting for more.

“I’ll want to run this by a lawyer, I guess?”

Porter pulls out a sheaf of papers to slide across the table to me while Banks narrows his eyes. It’s only when I pick up the papers that I realize I didn’t even ask salary numbers. And I’ve got to say – the numbers I can see are good. Great, even – far more than league minimum for my AHL salary, enough that I could easily live on it, regardless of how much NHL play time I get.

Banks clears his throat and I look up. His eyes are still narrow, skeptical.

“Lawson, I kind of expected a different reaction.”

I bet he did. The number of ATO’s that turn into even successful one year contracts is low; to have it result in a two-way deal is rarer still. I should be thrilled to be holding these papers, to be having this conversation. But somehow, I’m struggling to find the urgency, the excitement.

“How long do I have to consider the offer?”

With those words, Porter seems to grasp what Banks has already understood.

“Is there…a chance you’re not interested?”

He’s the first to speak the words out loud, but it’s clearly what we’re all thinking.

“I…I’m not sure. Maybe.”

Banks’ eyes widen, while Porter’s look goes steely.

“Is it the money? I thought we were plenty generous, but if we need to talk to the Huskies about numbers, we can.”

Oh, lord. He thinks this is a negotiation tactic? I look at Banks, hopeful he’ll understand something I can’t quite put into words. Sure enough, he puts his arm on Porter’s reassuringly.

“Coach, I think Lawson’s just a little surprised. Probably didn’t realize we were already starting to plan for next year. I’m sure he just needs to, uh, run the offer by a few people, you know?”

I nod, although I’m not actually sure that’s true. Luckily, Porter seems to accept it.

“Of course. Take a week or two, talk to your agent, your lawyer, your girlfriend. Let us know, okay?”

Nodding, I feel a sense of unease come to rest in the pit of my stomach.

As soon as I leave Porter’s office, I pull out my phone

Avery Lawson 5:02 PM

Can we talk?