Craig Breslow

And then it became clear...

okay, you know, it's going to need to be these two guys maybe and then, you know, what does the third piece look like?

And I think that's the most productive way to try to advance these conversations.

Like,

It doesn't make a ton of sense to get bogged down in who the fourth piece is if you're not going to agree on the lead piece.

So I think it's kind of like, hey, if there's a framework around Kyle Thiel, let's spend some time on it.

If not, it's going to need to be this guy or that guy.

Otherwise, there's just no balance.

It tends to be different because you have a much better idea of who you are and what you need, and also you're getting an additional playoff run.

So just the control is different.

And there's like...

there's something about the emotional nature of a deadline.

Like okay, we need to put our best offer forward right now because in two minutes we literally cannot do a deal.

So, I think that's helpful in some ways.

I think any time the conversation continues leaving the GM meetings, there's a sense of accomplishment.

Because...

Once you've laid the foundation, if the dialogue continues, then you realize there may be a path here.

Now that said, we knew Garrett was both highly desired around the industry, but also a bit unproven.

So every team had a slightly different risk calculus that they were approaching these with.

And at some point, you just get to the place where you say, screw it, I need to take the jump.