The Free Agent Marketplace - What If Cole and LaRose Move on?
by Bob Wage on Jun 30, 2009 1:50 PM EDT
51 comments
What if Plan A fails and Erik Cole and Chad LaRose both move on to greener pastures? What are the Canes options? While Jim Rutherford has stated that he would wait until August to start meandering through the free agent pool, he might be better served to act a bit more expeditiously. He will have between four to five million in cash available to him to spend on another player or two, and there are some interesting possibilities out there.
Looking at James Mirtle's complete listing of free agent forwards, we can begin by eliminating several candidates immediately, simply because of cost. There is no that way Hurricanes management will look to acquire Hossa, Gaborik, the Sedins, or other high priced superstars. Even the mid-range guys like Gionta, Cammaleri, Koivu, and Tanguay would be too much.
So, who might be a good fit for the Canes? Here's my two cents-
Mikael Samuelsson- The Swede is a steady performer, averaging 40 points a season for the past four years in the Motor City. He had 19 goals last season and earned a very reasonable 1.2 million. Would he accept a slight raise and a two year contract with the Canes?
Mark Recchi- Many people felt that the one time Hurricane had "wrecked his last ball" at the beginning of last season but the veteran winger had a great year, scoring 61 points in 82 games. He had 10 goals and almost scored a point per game during his time with Boston. He is getting a bit long of tooth, but might be a decent option for one year at under two million. (Last season earned 1.5 million).
Mike Knuble- The winger has got nice size, (6'3), and played in all 82 games for the Flyers last season, scoring 27 goals and 47 points in the process. He earned 2.8 million last year, but the Flyers are under Cap pressure and might not be able to re-sign him. If Rutherford wants to step up to the plate a bit, the Flyers' loss could be the Hurricanes gain.
Jere Lehtinen- Here is an intriguing option. Could Rutherford bring in another under-performing Finn to the Canes and hope for a resurgence? Lehtinen has had an injury plagued last couple of years in Dallas, but the dude still has skill and can score. He earned 4.1 million per year in his previous contract, but might take a one year deal for half of that to prove himself again.
Ville Peltonen- Speaking of Finns, Peltonen has been around awhile, but had a decent season with Florida last year, (12G 19A). He could be an inexpensive option if other options slip away.
P.J. Axelsson- This guy is not going to break any scoring records, but he is a solid two-way player and is dependable. He earned 1.875 million last year, but might take 1.5 now. Not at the top of my list, but one of the guys who could be another unsigned straggler looking for work come August.
Other low cost possibilities- Mike Grier, Chris Neil, Tom Kostopoulos, and Dean McAmmond.
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If we can’t sign Rosie and Erik, I say make a bid for Lehtinen or Knuble. These two have experience with top line players and roles, and are also good team players. Mike Grier could also be a steal for the checking lines because of his defense and character.
Injury risk
Knuble and Lehtinen are way to injury prone. Samuelsson would be a great addition. TFP has the Canes interested in Gionta, I doubt that but man do I wish JR would pursue Cammaleri. That guy can flat out score!
Rutherford has a history of taking on injury-prone players (or players who have had one big injury) like Stillman and Williams, since they’re cheaper to sign/can be taken for less in a trade.
I’d take Knuble for one year, but so would a bunch of other teams, probably. I bet whoever gets him will end up giving him a two or three year deal.
Samuelsson is probably the best bet for Carolina. He can provide third-line scoring, and he’s skilled enough to move up if he had to. JR seems to like those versatile forwards.
by nomadologist on Jun 30, 2009 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Just ‘cause it’s fun, we’ve already got Kabs & Babs, I think we should add a Nubs. I really like Lehtinen, but he’s way too injury-prone.
I actually agree with JR. We’ve got decent prospects and I’m honestly not affraid of a Terry/Sutter/Conboy checking line, especially if Sutter’s gained a few lbs since last year.
ps from CANES NOW
LAROSE A MAYBE
As for LaRose, Rutherford said he spoke yesterday with LaRose’s agent, Pat Morris. He said “there has been a little movement in our position” on the contract, and asked Morris to talk with LaRose about the offer and call back.
“I have not heard from him yet but hope to hear from him today,” Rutherford said.
Chip Alexander posted the Canes Now at 11:55am, after the Tracking the Storm story posted at 9:55am. Hard to say which contains the most recent and presumably accurate information. Helluva game of chicken.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Jun 30, 2009 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, I would imagine that JR was feeling not too confident about either even with the modified offer to Rosie.
I will be one sad sack tomorrow when I see “Chad LaRose signs with ________”
Erik Cole I think might be surprised by the lack of better offers.
Interesting to see they only offered Bayda a two-way deal.
But I can see how they wouldn’t want to pay him NHL money if he gets beat out for a spot by one of the young guys.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jun 30, 2009 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Hilariously terrible trade. Bob Gainey should be fired. Rangers fans should throw a parade today. Or maybe later tonight, after they have completed a trade for Heatley.
Oh yes, there is much rejoicing in Rangerland. The Rangers also got Montreal’s top defensive prospect in the deal…and the Heatley rumor is that among other things, Ottawa wants one of the Rangers many D prospects…hmmm…
by nomadologist on Jun 30, 2009 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't know if it's that terrible...
Higgins is younger (both in terms of age and experience), and he’s about four times cheaper. Plus, he’s certainly got upside, while Gomez probably already saw his peak with the Devils.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jun 30, 2009 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Uhhh I meant terrible from the Habs’ perspective. The Rangers get an excellent young forward in Higgins, a 12th overall draft pick slam dunk defensive prospect in McDonagh, and they clear the salary cap black hole that was Gomez.
What do the Habs get? Well, I’m not sure exactly, other than a bunch of really pissed off fans.
The Habs fans just want them to spend money, at least the ones I know.
As if they haven’t been doing that…….
regardless, this move will please them. Prospects? Who needs em!
If you want some good Habs fans reactions just have a look here http://www.habseyesontheprize.com/2009/6/30/931038/chris-higgins-traded-to-new-york
The playmaking center they desperately need?
A guy who could make his way back up to 70 points.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jun 30, 2009 7:43 PM EDT up reply actions
I wonder if JR (knowing that Cole is out the door) will up his offer to LaRose even more in order to keep him…
personally…. I have no problems w/ Cole…. but if you made me choose between the two of them I take LaRose every single time…..
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Jun 30, 2009 6:24 PM EDT reply actions
Noon July 1
The deadline to re-sign UFA’s is 12 noon tomorrow – I just heard that on 99.9 when they were interviewing Jussi who is at home playing golf in Finnland.
At the strike of 12, UFA’s can sign contracts with other teams. Something tells me the hockey blogs will be a-buzz at lunchtime.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Jun 30, 2009 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Regarding shopping for Cole replacements
Which guy is fastest and will support Staal the best? I know these names, but don’t really know much of their MO’s.
I remember Recchi as pretty classy in the handshake line in Boston last month. Seemed to be very proud of CWard. That’s a plus.
I’m all for more Scandinavians, (no surprise there, coming from me). And I like getting a Redwing (Samuelsson) as a playoff veteran (I’m counting on playing in May and June for several consecutive seasons…)
Tomorrow morning, I’ll be looking for that Tweet from the Hurricanes announcing that Rosey’s on board with the Canes for another couple years. I think this negotiation will go to the final buzzer (kind of like the Canes’ post-season). I just can’t believe two like-minded reasonable people won’t find common ground. If they don’t, as others have said here,it would be a cryin’ shame.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
I'll note I thought Samuelsson might be a good fit when I saw Detroit was going to have a hard time replacing him.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
An explanation please?
Hey!
I’ve been following the Canes now for a few years from over here in England and have been getting into hockey more and more each year, but what I haven’t been able to work out is why JR doesn’t spend right up to the cap? Is it because the Canes literally don’t have the money or is it because they just don’t want to spend it?
Surely it would be worth spending that bit extra more (especially since it seems Cole’s salary won’t be part of next year’s finances) to get an expensive but great player to compliment Staal?
It seems a real simple solution so I’m assuming there is something blatently obvious that I’m not seeing lol. If not… PLEASE SPLASH SOME CASH!!
It is because they don’t have the money. We play in one of the smallest markets in the league, and it is also a “non-traditional” market. Low dollar television contract + reasonable ticket prices = Not as much to spend on players as the big clubs.
If this were the Premier League we would be a Fullham or Bolton.
by DaleCooper on Jun 30, 2009 8:16 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
They say that "breaking even" is hard to do
And to demonstrate, it was announced in May that the Canes franchise only broke even after getting through the two 7-game series in the playoffs. Whatever $ the team cleared in the Conference Finals from those 4 games vs the Penguins (only 2 of which were played in NC) represented the entire profit for the season. The first profit in 3 years. Seems that, for the present, the Raleigh margins are very slim.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Jun 30, 2009 9:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Lehtinen re-signed at Dallas
According to ESPN’s Free-Agent Tracker (which may be something similar to Domino’s pizza tracker…?)
Lists all RFA’s and UFA’s.
Lehtinen got 1 year, $1.5mil. (is that meaningful?)
This chart has the whole NHL shebang updated regularly, from what I can tell. And you can filter it by team and or position. Perhaps there are other sites, but I figure ESPN is likely to be the most current/accurate…?
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
Canes break off negotiations with Cole and LaRose - updated at 8:30PM
http://www.wralsportsfan.com/hurricanes/story/5476597/
GM of CanesCountry.com
Sad.
Although I would have been looking for more than a three-year deal myself, if I were Chad. He seems like he could flame out in a hurry.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jun 30, 2009 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Argh. C’mon guys, are you REALLY going to tell the difference between 2 and 2.5 million or whatever?
How do you mean?
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jun 30, 2009 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Just expressing some frustration that guys would quibble over a few hundred thousand in the face of millions of dollars. An oversimplification, to be sure.
Yeah, but it's also a pride thing, too.
Professional athletes got where they are by having incredible confidence (whether they show it outwardly or not.) To them, getting an offer below their perceived value (no matter what it is) compared to other players to whom they feel they are superior or just what others get on the market is a slap in the face. Lots of guys will say “it’s not about the money,” but often times, it just plain is.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 1, 2009 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Damn, it is a loss losing Rosie. The guy will be a terrific energy addition to ANY team. Let’s just hope he stays out of the SE huh? Cole, I could care less about. He had a shot here for good money, and now he won’t get anything close to it on the market (unless the habs sign him :) ). Hate to see Rosie go, but good riddance to Cole. Great in his day, but regressing fast.
I would love to see Samuelson here in Carolina. Great idea Bubba. Hopefully the Canes can try and add someone who can score and be a power forward to possibly play with Staal.
Member of Canes Country and the Cat Scratch Reader
Another thing: although they just won the cup and all, Bill Guerin just took a $2.5 million pay cut to stay with the Pens. Now why couldn’t Cole do this for the team that drafted him, the team he won a cup with, and the team where 85% of the fan base love? Why? Because all he cares about is the money. He should understand, he isn’t going to get the kind of money he is looking for on the market, unless some whack-job GM offers him a ridiculous contract.
I would just think he should have been a little more lenient for us. Oh well, have fun trying to get 3.5 mil in FA Cole: YOU’RE NOT GONNA GET IT!
Member of Canes Country and the Cat Scratch Reader
I’m with you on Rosie. THis is a tough loss. Wouldn’t ya think Karmanos would step in if it’s a money issue, here given that he’s had LaRose on his roster for something like 5 organizations? Wonder if this got ugly or if they’re still able to agree to disagree.
Time to follow Bubba’s lead and look at who else is out there. It’ll work out. I still say it’s a “buyers’ market”.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Jun 30, 2009 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions
There’s still a chance that LaRose and Cole test the free agency waters, discover that they’re not worth what they think they’re worth, and end up signing with Carolina for around what JR offered.
by nomadologist on Jun 30, 2009 10:26 PM EDT up reply actions
If you were JR, would you keep the same offer on the table after you find out no one else in the league will match it or beat it?
GM of CanesCountry.com
Nope. But is he obligated to offer them the same. These guys would be in a much weaker position if they have to come back. Could happen, but JR made it sound like he’s “done” (as in “fed up”) from the quotes I read. Perhaps short-sighted, but apparently his standard no-bull practice. Doesn’t want to set a precedent.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Jun 30, 2009 10:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Obligated?
Hardly. Not fair for them to expect a deal to just remain on the table.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jun 30, 2009 10:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Exactly. I’m sure these negotiaions have all sorts of expirations and contingencies written in to them. They’d have to start all over. And if those agents should come back to JR in a couple weeks (hat in hand), they’d be lucky to get within 75% of whatever they turned down tonight.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Jun 30, 2009 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes.
Although JR said in no uncertain terms that they won’t be holding spots for guys who chose to test the market.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jun 30, 2009 10:43 PM EDT up reply actions
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