Posts tagged contract
No Need To Panic!
Sep 5th
During the last couple of weeks there has been much talk of the dreaded CBA re-negotiation that’s bound to happen in two years time. That might seem a long time now, but you can already see its ugly head peeking on the horizon with the recent Kovalchuk/NJ versus the league mini war. So, what’s the deal? With recent Hockey News articles and some NHL site writings one might think that another lockout, let’s call it lockout v2, is about to take place when the current CBA (collective bargaining agreement) expires. I’m not quite sure that will be the case. Anyways, I’m just here to state my reasons why there is not that much reason to panic as some would have you believe. For those of you that are not that well acquainted with how the league functions economically or don’t have much knowledge about labor bargaining and unions I’ll try to keep this as simple as possible.
Colby Revisited
Jul 20th
On July 1st 2010 Brian Burke and Co flexed their proverbial management muscles and inked versatile grinder Colby Armstrong to a blah blah blah blah blah. Great, now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s get to the point.
As most of you know I try to keep my articles on the shorter side, just because well, reading a lot can get…boring. Uh, anyways, that means I’m gonna try and keep this article short and get my point across in a number of brief paragraphs, so again, let’s get on with the show.
When Colby Armstrong initially signed with us I was disappointed for a number of reasons: whether it was the fact that we were paying a guy who had just tallied up 29 points three million dollars, whether it was the fact that we were giving him that money for three years, whether it was the fact that he’s a right-winger or whether it was the fact our cap space was slowly diminishing, it really doesn’t matter. None of the reasons I hated the Colby Armstrong signing matter anymore, because guess what: I don’t hate it anymore.
Death By Kovalchuk?
Jul 20th
Sometimes being a fan of an NHL team is a lot like being a ten year old kid in front of a candy shop. You see that treat that you desperately want but then mom comes into play and says: “You can’t have it!”. She of course knows it’s not good, healthy for you to eat gummy bears, but you can’t be persuaded. You like sweets. I know some of you would like to have seen No17 glide down the ice with that blistering speed or burry one on the PP but it all comes with a price. As much as I’ve been against the Kovalchuk deal in the past, I’d like it too. What? You didn’t think I was impressed by his all world offensive talent. I’ve watched this kid since he came to the league as a No1 draft pick. I’ve even watched him play for Bars Kazan during the lockout and am well aware what he’s capable of. Also, his winning pedigree isn’t stellar in the NHL but is very good on the international stage. So, I’m looking to ask one question. Should we have paid that price? This one is about the current Kovalchuk deal and how it would affect the Leafs had we been in the mix and eventually won his over signature. I will also try to look the current and future NJ situation just to get a better, more objective view on the impact of his deal.
Leafs Off-Season Rumors #16/Making a Case for Marc Savard
Jun 27th
Rumor
Bob McKenzie and Nick Kypreos of TSN and Sportsnet respectively have reported that Leafs GM Brian Burke and Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli will begin talks on the possibility of sending Marc Savard to Toronto. Both report that any deal including Savard would not include Kaberle, as it is believed the Bruins may be willing to take so-called “spare parts” in order to unload Savard’s contract.
My Analysis
Marc Savard to the Toronto Maple Leafs is very much a possibility at this point in time. It seems that the Bruins are hoping to move forward with their three young centers (Tyler Seguin, Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci) and it also seems the Bruins are worried about Savard’s health issues mixed with his lengthy contract. Acquiring Savard is a risk given his age and current health status as well as contract, but should he return to form then it would be a huge reward and steal for the Leafs.
A similar situation would be Jason Blake, who signed with the Leafs in 2007 at the age of 34. Blake’s first two seasons matched his previous numbers, though this past season, in the third year, his production began to severely decline. Should Marc Savard come to the Leafs he would be 33 once the season starts, and theoretically be able to continue prime production for another three seasons. Also, given the fact that the final three years of Savard’s seven-year deal pay him a combined 2.5M, Savard’s contract would suddenly become very easy to ship to a low-budget team, bury in the minors, be bought out, and there’s always the possibility that Savard could retire before then. Marc Savard is only a four-year commitment, and it’s safe to assume he can continue his elite production for at least another three years. Just my two cents on why the Leafs should pull the trigger on any deal sending Savard our way for spare parts.
Acquiring a first-line center without giving away our greatest trade chip is another positive, and opens others avenues for Tomas Kaberle (such as dealing him for a winger with size as previously speculated).
This could get real interesting real quick, stay tuned.
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Leafs Off-Season Rumors #15
Jun 26th
In case you didn’t realize, Tomas Kaberle survived the draft.
Rumor
-Darren Dreger and Pierre LeBrun of TSN and ESPN respectively both tweeted that the Toronto Maple Leafs may in fact be interested in Marc Savard, though Tomas Kaberle would not be involved in any deal sending the shifty playmaker to the Buds.
Update #1: Pierre LeBrun just tweeted that another source claims any deal involving Savard would HAVE to include Kaberle.
Update #2: LeBrun just tweeted that the Leafs are believed to be interested in Dallas Stars center Mike Ribeiro
My Analysis
Considering the Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators are the only teams that Savard could be traded to before July 1st (via his no-movement clause), and given the fact that the Leafs could use a first-line center, the Leafs making a run at the injured and low-stock Savard makes a ton of sense. It is however strange that Tomas Kaberle would not be included in that sort of deal as the Bruins recently gave up offensive defenseman Dennis Wideman in the Nathan Horton trade last week.
As for who the Leafs could offer up not named Kaberle, it’s possible that the two speedy right-wingers Viktor Stalberg and Nikolai Kulemin could be included in anything landing Savard. Other possibilities include young defenseman such as Carl Gunnarsson or Juraj Mikus, or perhaps even centers Mikhail Grabovski or Tyler Bozak.
The positive to trading a package of wingers or young defenseman for Savard would be that it opens up the possibility of the Leafs still trading Kaberle to those with significant interest such as the New Jersey Devils or Los Angeles Kings. Both teams have young scoring wingers with size (Dustin Brown, Wayne Simmonds, David Clarkson, Jamie Langenbrunner, each with various degrees of realism), something Burke stated was mandatory in any deal involving the puck-mover this summer.
Update #1: If the Bruins do want Kaberle then, well, that makes sense.
Update #2: After passing up both Cam Fowler and Brandon Gormley in the draft on Friday in order to take netminder Jack Campbell, Stars GM Joe Neuwehowthefuckdoispellthis is under major pressure to get a puck-moving defenseman, so perhaps Tomas Kaberle could be of interest to them. Ribeiro would be considered a first-line center should he bounce back from a dissapointing campaign last season.
Stay tuned, this could get interesting.
You can follow me on Twitter here.
Ilya Kovalchuk Isn’t That Impossible
Jun 18th
With the Leafs having a forward core that’s been described as absolutely brutal, and one of the most pathetic that has ever graced the NHL from a team that wasn’t within its first 2-3 years of existence, there is a lot of hype over what Brian Burke will do with this roster that has promise for the future, but no zing for the now. People are undecided if the big move is going to happen via trade, or via free agency. Personally, I think we’re going to see a little bit of both. Do I have any idea whatsoever the results are going to be? No clue. But do I have any wants?
Absolutely. In fact, I have the biggest want, with my eyes entirely on the big prize. Specifically, I want the man who just might be the best free agent in NHL history, all factors considered (more on that later). Of course, I’m talking about #17 of the New Jersey Devils (you know him better as the only relavent thing the Atlanta Thrashers have had in years) Ilya Kovalchuk.
Now, I know what you’re thinking “Jeff, first off, best UFA ever? You’re crazy. Secondly, he’s going to want too much money, thirdly, he’s going to the KHL, fourth, Burke doesn’t want him, and five, why would he want to come here?”
All fair arguments. But I’m still going to try to squash them.
In Defence Of Jeff Finger
Jun 12th
This may or may not be the most hated article that I’ll ever write. I’m aware, so troll on.
Look, there are many extremely toxic contracts in the NHL, that are extremely detrimental to the team because of their ridiculous length, cap hit, and a players poor play. Jeff Finger, isn’t one of them. Sure, he’s by no means worth it to the Toronto Maple Leafs, filled to the brim with very good defencemen. Sure, his contract was a big WTF when he first signed it. But when you really look at things, its not so bad. Look, I know you’re laughing your asses off right now, but give this article a chance and hear me out.
Upshall Signing A Good Indication For Kulemin?
Jun 10th
As you may or may not have heard, the Winnipeg Jets Phoenix Coyotes have saved up their allowance. Gone hungry to keep the lunch money. Whored themselves out for extra dough. Sold all of their gadgets on craigslist (Shane Doan wants his iPad back). And with all of that done, they managed to spend a little bit of money on retaining their players, locking forward Scottie Upshall in for another year, for 2.25 million dollars a year. Now, you may be wondering, what exactly does this have to do with the Leafs? It’s all in that number, 2.25 million. Or, about what everyone expects is the lowest number possible on an extension of Nikolai Kulemin.
Now, as you may remember, I wrote an article the other day that shows that this shouldn’t be the case, and that Kulemin’s value is being over hyped. My suggestion was the 1.75-2 million range. But it was done using people who have contracts from previous years, not people with extensions. Upshall has similar stats, and an extension, so why not give him a gander? Lets compare the two.
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