Kaberle Clears Waivers, Now What?
by Bob Wage on Dec 30, 2008 2:21 PM EST
18 comments
Some of you might be wondering about this waiver business. What does it all mean? What happens next? It can get a bit complicated because some of the rules are predicated upon a variety of issues, including how many games a player has played in the league. In Frank Kaberle's situation though, it's pretty simple.
It's no secret that the Hurricanes have been trying to trade Kaberle since the summer. Apparently, Jim Rutherford felt that the defenseman had some trade value, otherwise why would he sign a total of eight defensemen to NHL contracts during the offseason? But the general manager not only over-estimated Josef Melichar's abilities when he signed him to a million dollar contract, it seems that he also mis-calulated how easily he would be able to trade Kaberle.
When Carolina placed "FK" on waivers yesterday, they were hoping that another team would claim him so that they could free up money from their budget. They were also stating to the entire hockey world that they were unable to trade him for anything positive. In essence, they were offering to give him away.
After 24 hours, no other team wanted him. So, what happens next?
The Hurricanes have a few options. They can put the defenseman back in the lineup like nothing happened. They can send him to Albany, (like they did with Melichar). They can put him back on waivers, (a re-entry process), where another team could pick him up at half his salary. They could just scratch him every game. cut him and send him home. (technically, they can not cut him)
No matter what happens, Kaberle will continue to be paid his 2.2 million through next year because he has a guaranteed one-way contract. If another team claimed him under the re-entry process, the Hurricanes would be liable for half of the blueliner's salary through the balance of this season, as well as all of next year. It's doubtful the Hurricanes would go this route.
It's also very doubtful that the Canes would send him to Albany. (JR said that he would not send him there, for now anyway). While "FK" has been fighting injuries and has been inconsistent, he has not been a huge liability on the ice. (Also if they send him to Albany, he would have to go through the re-entry process if they need him again).
The Hurricanes have mentioned to the press on more than one occasion that they are over the budget that they set for themselves this year. Since "FK" has finally gotten healthy, they were probably just hoping beyond hope that another team might take some excess salary off of their books. It didn't happen.
In the meantime, plan on Kaberle being back on the trading block, if not back in the lineup. When Nic Wallin is able to play again, the Czech Republic native might also be one expensive healthy scratch.
Will the defenseman use this humbling experience as a building block to help push himself to another performance level like Sergei Samsonov did last year and Kristian Huselius did when Calgary claimed him from Florida in 2006?
Fans can only hope.
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Thanks for this explanation – I have been wondering about this. Am I correct in my understanding that once a player clears waivers, he can be sent down to the AHL team (Albany), and in order to play on the NHL team again, he would have to clear re-entry waivers? In FK’s situation, where he is not being sent down to the AHL, would he need to clear re-entry waivers before being allowed to play for the ’Canes again? If not, why would the team put him through the re-entry process?
Thanks in advance,
Greg
by greg on Dec 30, 2008 2:39 PM EST reply actions
Hm. Maybe they are going to try the re-entry route, so someone can get him half-price? It seems really strange to do this otherwise, and take the chance that no one would want him, and being stuck with him.
by Archivalist on Dec 30, 2008 2:43 PM EST reply actions
Good questions Greg.
I could be wrong about this, but this is my understanding.
If the Canes do not send FK to Albany now, they can do so later this season, without putting him on waivers again. But once they send him to Albany, then he does have to clear the re-entry process in order to make it back to the Canes.
I believe last year that the Blackhawks assigned Samsonov to their AHL affiliate for one day, then re-entered him on waivers for the sole purpose of getting rid of him.
If the Canes were to assign FK to Albany, they could lose him at half of his salary if they tried to have him return to Carolina. So, that is another good reason to keep him here unless they REALLY want to be rid of him.
by Bubba on Dec 30, 2008 2:55 PM EST reply actions
I think that’s all correct Bubba. The re-entry waivers (and the half-price responsibilities) only come into play if he’s actually assigned to Albany. For example, if the Canes tried to recall Melichar today, a team could claim him and be responsible for a prorated $500K for the rest of the season, while Carolina would have to pay the other half.
by Cory on Dec 30, 2008 3:07 PM EST reply actions
I didn’t think the “cut him and send him home” thing was a viable option. Wouldn’t the NHLPA have something to say about that? I realize he’s due his salary no matter what, but removing his ability to train/play hockey somewhere sounds like something the Union would have an issue with.
by E on Dec 30, 2008 3:24 PM EST reply actions
Yeah, you really can’t cut him. There’s a buyout timeframe before the season. But they could basically tell him “you’re going to be scratched every night until your contract runs out. Why don’t you just head out of town.”
by Cory on Dec 30, 2008 3:27 PM EST reply actions
Cory, I agree, but if that ain’t getting….
Here’s my concern:
Poison in the locker room, again.
Bubba, I gotta disagree. I think FK IS on his way to Albany in the hopes they only get stuck with half his salary. While you can never be sure who will be picked up on waivers, I think it’s a no brainer that FK wasn’t gonna get picked up. JR’s been shopping him for long enough to know, he ain’t going, at 2.2, anywhere. So JR has to have some idea, I can’t see FK in skates here anymore, so what else is up? Send him down or just start the re-entry process (I’d say wait and try some dealing before you start the half off sale), and then go and see if you can evn shed half. No offence to FK, but I don’t see him getting 1.1, either. So if he’s poison and nobody will even take him at half price, it’s buy out or stick him on permanent IR.
I hope JR didn’t expect him to get picked up and has a plan. If he doesn’t this was one serious bone head move. If you have a chance at getting saddled with this guy, and I think it was pretty obvious, don’t just throw him out and then look like you were surprised. That’s like zipping the goods in the zipper after a quick piss. The 6 P’s
Proper
Planning
Prevents
Piss
Poor
Performance
NHL players are people too, if FK isn’t a bit disgruntled his Lithium dose is way too high. If he comes back in the locker room, it will put a palor over the whole joint. While his play has contributed to this situation, this ain’t FK’s fault, I think JR boned this one bad.
I was bummed when I heard this. I am concerned that this may be the start of the fire sale. Maybe it’s the start of looking for a new piece.
It just feels bad. I could see a LaRose/Kaberle trade package or something along those lines.
Man I hope it doesn’t come down to giving up a good thing to shed a bad thing…
A
by Paladin6 on Dec 30, 2008 4:49 PM EST reply actions
I don’t think Kaberle is the harbinger of a fire sale. what makes you think that?
by repenttokyo on Dec 30, 2008 6:41 PM EST reply actions
Can’t really see this as the beginning of a “firesale” either…but it could be the start of some sort of deal or deals.
Is FK really locker room poison? If so, or if he’s done something to earn JR’s wrath, then this is another Babchuck-like move. Which means we’ll have 3-5 dmen drop with injuries and FK will be right back on the blueline…
by Archivalist on Dec 30, 2008 11:36 PM EST reply actions
In my opinion, it’s not the start of a firesale or a move that signifies a problem in the locker room. It’s just a move to try to save money.
We will see what happens.
by Bubba on Dec 30, 2008 11:41 PM EST reply actions
I hope you guys are right. Since the night we got knocked out of the PO’s last year, I have had the worry in the back of my mind. Then the economy tanked, then the team tanked (again). There’s gonna be a cut off line, soon. FK’s 2.2 isn’t didly squat compared to what they could “save” with the firesale scenario. We have two good forwards coming up next year, a fair core of D depth. I think JR may be in the draft pick/trade mode. He has done it before. I may even be so bold as to say Detroit may be in the picture. They don’t have a prayer of affording that team next year, cup or no cup. So they will be looking to trade. PK/JR and the Detroit crew have ties, I wouldn’t be surprised to see some sort of trade or deal with them. As for FK being poison, he, as a man, isn’t what I am talking about. I am talking about the way the team appears to be handling it. Archivalist mentioned Bab’s send down, that was poorly handled. The team has a history of not being the most adept at handling players. Poor Frank is now in the situation where nobody knows if he’s gonna be around tom. or get sent down, traded, scratched or whatevr. It’s more shit to clog the mind of the team and FK for sure. NOT what the locker room needed. As for a move just to save money, I think they could of done a whole lot better in A) the way they handled it. B)They could of done something for a 2.2 savings in a few other ways. So I’m skeptical on that. I don’t think they had much hope he would get picked up, they have been trying to shop him around for awhile. So there has to be some reason as to why now? So my thoughts are they bundle him with, let’s use LaRose. There’s about 3 mill in salary. You bring FK back in on re-entry waivers for half price, Rosie is a steal. In a situation like that we shave 2 mill off and open up 2 spots. We either get a guy in return or prospects and draft picks. Which changes the math depending. It’s those kind of things JR does. Who saw Stillman/Commodore coming? So FK isn’t the poison, but I think the locker room may be suffering. I also think it’s a foregone conclusion unless this team get’s it’s act together within a couple weeks, we will see some big changes.
My “bubble players”:
Eaves
Babchuck
Seidenburg
LaRose
Williams
Ruutu
Samsinov
Cullen
Babchuck
Corvo
Kaberle
Wallin
And Leighton
I think any few of those guys could get bundled and traded. They either don’t have a great track record with the front office and have been treated poorly before (LaRose, Babchuck..) have had minimal impact for the dollar like Williams due to injury and Eaves in a diff. way. Or just don’t have the job security. Just my .02 and worth what you paid for it. I would have Rod on the list, but he ain’t going anywhere. So if you can see what i am getting at, there could be some wholesale changes coming. Now that whole list isn’t going anywhere and I think Williams is here to stay, but you could get one helluva player for say Williams, Ruutu and Kaberle maybe only one year left on thier contract, but still, be some serious trade fodder.
So there is my mindless ramble for the end of the year.
A
by Paladin6 on Dec 31, 2008 5:15 AM EST reply actions
I think a lot of people saw Stillman and Commodore being dealt — expiring deals. Maybe no together, but I wasn’t really surprised.
LaRose and Kaberle have next to no value in a trade. No one wants Frank’s salary, and Chad’s deal expires after this year. Best they could expect is a late-round pick for LaRose.
The biggest chips are Seidenberg and Ruutu (maybe Corvo) and it’d be tough for fans to swallow if any of them were moved.
JR’s already said Frank would be “part of the team” if he cleared waivers. So I think the chances of him being assigned to Albany right now (esp. w/ Wallin still dinged up) are slim to none.
Curious, Paladin, as to where else you think they could maybe save the $2.2 million (really more, b/c the deal is in place next year, too) they would’ve shed if someone took Kaberle. Plain and simple, the NHL isn’t a seller’s market right now.
BTW, if I had to guess a possible destination for Frank, it’d be Ottawa — but JR would likely have to take a similarly bad contract back. I wonder if the Sens would bite at Frank and Leighton for Gerber (expiring deal at prorated $3.7M). Food for thought.
by Cory on Dec 31, 2008 10:33 AM EST reply actions
Well if we’re stuck with Wallin and Kaberle and we are.
Babchuck, Eaves and Melichar are about a mill a piece.
LaRose at 800K and some change,The under a half crew is, Jensen, Dwyer, Borer, Conboy, Bayda and Brookbank are all under a half mill, but could add up. Now that’s NHL level salary, not so when they are on a two way and playing in Albany or wherever. Within that group, IF ****IIIFFFFF***
You just had to save a couple million, you could go in there and get some draft picks and shed salary. Now granted the ’Canes more than anybody, need the call ups and these are a good group, but, if you gotta shed some salary…
I just seems like some drunken college idea to just throw a guy on waivers, that pretty much no one wants and you have been told this by about everybody in the league already. I think all it did was crap on FK’s attitude and the locker room.
So imnsho it was a stupid thing to do unless there is more to it. Like the Stillman/Commodore for Corvo/Eaves deal. While I agree one or both may have been an easy see, I for one didn’t have a clue on the 4 player deal, that came out of nowhere.
BTW, Gerber?? I’d rather Leighton at 600K. Whatever happened to ol’ Irbe? Anyway, that’s my thinking. I can’t see crapping where you eat and it sure looks like they just crapped all over Frank.
A
by Paladin6 on Dec 31, 2008 3:02 PM EST reply actions
BTW, after reading all this again it looks like I’m wanting to ax Rosie. not true at all, I love that guy. He’s just at that salary/contract point and easy to use as an example.
A
by Paladin6 on Dec 31, 2008 3:05 PM EST reply actions
A few thoughts and a question for Cory or Bubba. First the question, with all the talk about money…a month or so back you did a piece on an article that came out regarding the team’s value or such which went into their revenue, players salaries and non-player expenses that resulted in a huge loss even though they had actually managed an increase in revenue. I was wondering, was it ever discovered just what it is that they are spending all that money on (as I recall, maybe incorrectly, they spent quite a bit more than most of the other teams in the league in other expenses)? Surely it can’t be marketing or the customer service in their ticketing department. Maybe if they got their house in order, so to speak, financially, then player salaries wouldn’t be such an immediate problem.
Now for just a few short comments, I love Rosie, he doesn’t make much, he’s a chippy player and he could be marketing gold for them with his personality.
Frankie was playing much better hockey at the beginning of the season, now that he had finally recovered from his injuries/surgeries. I think it is incredible bad luck that he fractured his foot earlier this season and has had trouble staying healthy. I think JR needs to consider how he is going to treat players if he believes there is a chance that they could stay with the team. I would rather have a healthy Kaberle any day of the week over Babchuck. Send that 1 million packing. With that million, I’d also like for there to be a redo option on Melichar, that was a cool million flushed down the toilet.
Eaves is just a waste of cap space. Didn’t JR resign him this summer for a couple more years? Please tell me no.
I could go on…but I won’t. :) It’s getting late in the afternoon, I’m sure you all are starting to think about whatever festivities you have planned for the evening.
Enjoy the game and have a happy new year everyone!
by Nik on Dec 31, 2008 3:35 PM EST reply actions
Re: Paladin’s bubble list…I’m pretty sure Wallin has a no-trade clause and I think Willy might have one too.
by NoVa Caniac on Dec 31, 2008 4:19 PM EST reply actions
regarding no trade clauses for Williams and Wallin- Williams does not have one, Wallin does.
Nik- I remember that article about the Canes expenses, and no, I don’t have the answer why the “other expenses” seem higher than some other teams. The Hurricanes keep that information private, and anything other than player’s salaries is pure speculation by various sources, (including Forbes).
Eaves was re-signed for three years over the summer.
by Bubba on Dec 31, 2008 4:38 PM EST reply actions
Yup, forgot about his NTC, TY. Like I said, though, we’re stuck/blessed with them (him and Kaberle) for better or worse.
A
by Paladin6 on Dec 31, 2008 4:43 PM EST reply actions
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