Canes Country Exit Analysis: Chad LaRose
by Scott Cason on Jun 13, 2009 10:38 PM EDT
33 comments
Question: In addition to being hoisters of the 2009 Stanley Cup, what else might Chris Kunitz, Pascal Dupuis and Ruslan Fedotenko have in common?
Answer: They all began their NHL careers as un-drafted free agents - as did NHL Miami University mega-stars Andy Greene and Dan Boyle. ..and Chad LaRose.
This "Chuck Norris of Hockey," as he is labeled in the current Wikipedia entry (Wuffy-prose?), earned a look from the hometown Detroit Red Wings and was signed by the Canes in 2003 largely because of his potential as a goal scorer.
Chad is a larger-than-life personality in a sport where the majority of the players are pretty lunch pail. He’s a Chad Ochocinco-caliber yapper, but Chad LaRochocinco is not selfish and narcissistic.
Chad LaRose
The Good: Chad paid his dues on the 4th line and was pretty much a smallish grinder with hands of stone early in his NHL career. Over the past two seasons he’s earned the opportunity to embrace his inner-Marty St. Louis, and his point totals have increased each season. I think the biggest improvement to Chad’s game has been in the area of passing. It was his soft pass to a blazing Eric Staal, even as Colin White closed on him like a big freight train of poor defensive discipline, that lead to the game winning goal in the waning seconds of game seven versus the Devils.
Paul Maurice’s quote from the Bruins series sums up Chad's role pretty well:
"He's one of those guys that everybody likes to play with," Coach Paul Maurice said. "He's excited about playing. He's going to go work his butt off, so he's going to make you look good. He gives you chances to score. He's going to compete and say a few funny things on the bench. ... As we're moving the lines around, 'Guys, you're playing with Chad today,' (the reaction is), 'All right, I'm playing with Chad today - that's a good thing."'
The Bad: Rumor has it Chad is rather short. He’s listed at 5’10" in skates with insoles…and those fuzzy skate blade covers. Fishing for an additional "shortcoming," I’ll merely opine that Chad tends to push the envelope a bit. He tends to take on physical challenges his body can’t deliver-like brawling Zdeno Chara, or trying to take a shot in the middle of an unplanned triple-toe-loop. It would be fun to see a highlight reel of his greatest tumbles and collisions. Chad was also benched by Maurice one game in December-probably just a who’s the boss moment in the early days of Coach Mo's return.
The Money: LaRose will be an unrestricted free agent this year, and as I’ve said before, I wouldn't be surprised to see a bit of a bidding war for Chad’s services. Clubs that don’t mind throwing money around and clubs with identity or chemistry issues might find him an attractive free agent. While I’m sure he would love to remain a Hurricane, the lure of a bigger payday and a higher profile role in a major market might prove pretty sexy to the young star.
LaRose earned less than $1 mil last season. I think he’ll command a contract in the $2.5 -$3.0 mil per year range for his next deal. Would it be crazy to see the Rangers offer him $4 mil? They’ve got eight RFAs, a coveted UFA in Nik Antropov and a retiring Markus Naslund. Yeah, they have more than $16 mil going to Gomez and Drury, but With Chad and Sean Avery on the roster, the 2009-2010 New York Rangers might just be made for reality TV. Picture it - Real World Manhattan-Chad and Sean Avery sharing a Soho snake ranch flat. Hijinks ensue.
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2 comments
1- Scott, do you make your Avery comments even having seen Rosey’s “Day in the Life”? Not sure I agree with their potential as running buddies, even in jest. I don’t think Chad wants anything to do with the guy. (at any price)
2- I absolutely love Chad and gave him an A without needing to read a word (I’ve been awaiting the chance). However, I can’t see him getting more than $3mil. Cullen’s only making $2.8; Whitney $3.5mil. Rosey isn’t quite in their class, is he? Consider a similar-type role player: Cup Series GWG scorer Maxime Talbot of the Penguins made $700,000 last year, $1.05mil for the next 2, till he’s a UFA in ‘11. (Makes Shero look almost as smart as JR) I’ll be surprised if Chad get much above a $2.5 avg for this contract.
But I am very interested to hear others’ opinions on this matter, which will likely be settled in another week – 10 days.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
@2: THAT
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jun 14, 2009 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Sorry – again I plead ignorance. I’m too old for this routine, I guess. What does @2:THAT mean? Are you agreeing or disagreeing or something completely else. (But, at the risk of dating myself, I can do a pretty decent “Valley Girl”.)
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Jun 15, 2009 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions
@2 means “about your second point”
THAT (or THIS, in some cases means “I concur, I have similar thoughts regarding this subject”
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jun 15, 2009 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks. I feel one step closer to 25 again. :)
(alas my kids aren’t quite old enough to know this & translate either; though “FAIL” has entered their vocabulary, showing up on an hourly basis)
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Jun 15, 2009 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t think anybody wants anything to do with Sean Avery. On the other hand, I watched Gran Torino last night and two very different people from different worlds ended up getting along famously…until one of them got whacked.
I don’t think you can call Chad a role player any more. I think JR will try and sign him for around the amount you propose, but it will be interesting to see how Chad plays it. He did file for arbitration last summer.
What I like about Chad is he does not seem to be afraid of anything. He goes into puck battles with the posture and attitude that he is going to win. He has a tremendous work ethic and seems to understand his role in the game very well.
I think we are witnessing Chad come into his own and realize his potential as a 3rd and sometimes 2nd line winger who can finish plays and kill penalties. He and Cullen really looked good on the PK together during the second half of the regular season.
Chad will get a raise this summer, I’d bet money on that. And there may be a team out there who sees Chad as a 2nd line winger and would be willing to pay him somewhere between $2 and $2.5 mil. I would not put the Canes in that group. I expect JR to offer Chad a multi-year deal with an average salary of around $1.8 mil. which would slot him salary-wise on the 3rd line. It will be up to Chad to decide whether or not he wants to play here.
if the pens dont go after a guy like gionta or kotalik, i would expect them to push ahrd on larose maybe close to 3mil/year
" Lord Stanley, etch thier names on your fabled cup" Mike Lange june 12, 2009
by oldtimehockey09 on Jun 14, 2009 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Wow, last year at this time I was blown off 2 Carolina message boards by soooo many posters about even suggesting that Rosie had earned a 3rd line position and deserved to be paid $1 million dollars this past season. 95% of the posters (4 pages of them) posted he was never going to be more than a 4th line player for this team and would never see 1 million dollars by this team or any other team and he only deserved no more than $650,000 dollars. Most were upset he was paid $875,000 and said he had not earned it and did not deserve such a salary. Well I guess he proved them all wrong like I knew he would and his diehard fan base knew he would. Give my boy his 2.5 to 3 million dollar—-3 year contract he has earned along with the respect.
At least 141 of us think he is A+ player. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but did the 3 bloggers that voted for an “F” even watch the Canes/LaRose play this year? Hmm… Maybe those 3 voters are named White, Avery and Chara.
C
Who are the boobs who voted F ????
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Jun 15, 2009 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions
If Chad gets $3M/year some GM will be losing their job. Nothing against Chad, but you can’t throw that kind of coin at an energy guy.
Shouldn't and can are two different things.
There have certainly been worse signings. Sean Avery almost got $4 mil a year.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jun 15, 2009 8:57 AM EDT up reply actions
He’s also younger and considered the best at what he does (agitating). If someone gives him that kind of money with the cap set to go down in a year, they’ll be making a horrible mistake.
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 15, 2009 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions
In Lou We Trust has set its sights on our boy Rosey, now
Looking for FA Centers in NJ
He does mention that Chad is not and never will be an NHL center. Duh.
And Calgary’s SB blog is trying to sell their readers on picking up Erik Cole
I guess we should be flattered.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
FWIW, Chad’s natural position is center.
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 15, 2009 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions
You’re kidding me. Like as a Junior? I never would have guessed – he seems so much the winger from what I know.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Jun 15, 2009 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions
yep … Lavi had him play a little center, too. That being said, he’s better suited at wing, IMO.
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 15, 2009 10:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Centers anyone?
Players on roster with Center as “natural” position:
Staal
Brindy
Cullen
Jokinen
LaRose
Rutuu
Sutter
Helminen
Boychuk
Dalpe
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Jun 16, 2009 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Thing is, most of the best juniors forwards play center b/c it’s the most important position up front. When they turn pro, they may be better suited to play elsewhere. If you get a chance, look at the mock drafts out there and see how many guys are listed at center (pick any year). A lot move to wing.
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 16, 2009 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions
That's why
I left out the prospects Cory, all the above guys have played center for the Canes in the last two seasons
but I think we could say that, as NHLers, Ruutu and LaRose are wingers, with Jokinen a true hybrid.
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 17, 2009 8:53 AM EDT up reply actions
A for everything he did this year. He’d of gotten an A for just slashing and screwing with chara, though. Last two years Chad has stepped up and is playing well. He also plays like he means it. If Brindy can get back to even Chad’s level it will be nice, otherwise, Chad outplayed the captain all year long.
If only him and Cullen could get Rod’s face off savvy…
A
About faceoffs..
whatever happened to players using their feet in the face off circle? Is this not allowed any more. I remember seeing Francis use his feet in the circle several times a season. Forsberg used this technique as well. Keep in mind, they didn’t do it all the time, but several times throughout the season Think Francis used this option when he was getting overpowered in the circle, he would tie up the other guys stick with his and scoot it to a waiting cane. Off subject but was just thinking of this the other day
Rosie get the highest marks. He wears his emotions on his sleeve, he plays with reckless abandon, and he always tries hard. Seeing him trying to fight Chara if one of my favorite moments from last season. JR please sign him to a reasonable long term deal.
That's it
That’s where I saw it. I remember Francis had this play where he would kick the puck to Sami on the left who would then pass over to O for the one timer. Think about this O’Neil scored 40 goals in the ‘dead puck’ era, he may have done it twice, can’t remember.
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