i think at this point OTT is either quietly shopping him around or seriously thinking about it.

I wouldn’t offer him 3. 2 or 8 is good

it is simple, if it is signing bonuses that keeping Brady from signing the contract, EM needs to take his head out of his ass and suck it up, management keeps saying brady is the face of the team, if it is that they will not give him the SB and a NMC, it only means that they plan on trading him and rebuilding in 4-5 years and do not want Brady to control were he goes or pay him SB and then he not playing in OTT after he gets traded.

I think in good faith the Sens have to offer a various amount of contract term. 1,2,3, even 5, 6, 7, and 8. Obviously the lower term, the less $$$$. I gotta think the two could agree on a short term deal (which is what Brady wants IMO) but now it's the $$$$.

The problem is bonus money and protection.

Ottawa does not like giving its guys that kind of structure

But what Melnyk needs to understand thats how the modern NHL is run. Stars want front loaded contracts with bonus money every year. Like honestly Voracek's contract is a perfect example of how Tkachuck's deal can be structured.

Also the NMC or M-NTC is necessary as if Melnyk gets cheap again whats to stop him in 4-5 years shipping him off to Buffalo

I don't think the NMC is a big concern... It could only be part of year 5,6,7, and 8 of any contract. Gee, I don't think Brady wants to commit to Sens for that long.
Regarding signing bonuses. I think I remember my history right, when the Jets gave father Tkachuk a front loaded contract. After two years he was a true holdout at training , saying his salary wasn't enough, despite the fact he "overpaid" in his first two years due to the front loading of the contract.
I wouldn't believe anything that comes from the Brady's side of the negotiations. And remember he has been able to negotiate with all the other NHL teams, No one signed him.