Final Thoughts about the Cole and LaRose Negotiations

great article, some players never realize how good they have it where they are. agents could care less about this. they may say that they are taking their players best interests in mind, but his goes directly against them getting the biggest contract possible, since the bigger contract they get, the more they get paid.

if anything, you would have thought that the few months that cole spent in edmonton would have made him feel this way. i am not saying i want cole back, i really wouldnt unless its under 2 million, that is all his numbers deserve. i really want larose, but it will be interesting to see what type of interest they garner around the league

Well said my captain. The agent is in in for his percentage unless directed otherwise. Yesterday I thought Cole was playing twitchy poker. Tonight, I’m less sure. If these two do go, I’ll get over it in…wow, I’m over it now. Let’s press on.

Bubba you nailed it.

Admittedly I gave up on player loyalty to a franchise, or to be honest franchise loyalty to a player, in any professional sport a LONG time ago. Sadly it’s usually all about the benjamins – and usually a ridiculous amount of benjamins. But the Canes do seem to be loyal to their own. I guess I don’t really begrudge a player from trying to make as much money as he can…but how much is enough? Seems like there are more variables to factor in than just the bottom line.

That said, I didn’t want the Canes to resign Cole unless it was at a significant discount from his previous contract. But I’m gonna be bummed to lose LaRose. He was so valuable in so many (intangible) ways both on and off the ice. And he always seemed really happy to be here.

Hopefully Rutherford, despite his tough talk in the media has not closed the door completely on either of them. Of course, on the open market there’s always some idiot GM willing to drive up the price.

-martin

Kick Cole to the curb and if Staal can’t earn his check without him, trade his butt. Loyalty is good for a reach around, this is a business and has to be run like one. I think LaRose is a keeper but he and the org. have never really been on the same page, hell he had to start the arbitration process last year. Cole has never fully recovered from the neck in jury, if he takes half of what he’s making now, maybe keep him, otherwise, put the twist tie around his neck and kick him to the curb.

What is loyalty worth in the NHL?

Not a dam thing.

I love this time of year!!

A

Like most I would not be disappointed if Cole left, however, I would have liked LaRose to stay. I think he brings a lot of life to the team both on and off of the ice. I am not sure if this has anything to do with the arbitration process that happened last year, however, maybe he is saying to JR that you should have signed me to an extension last year and maybe he is giving the perception that there is a lesson to be learned for not doing it.

Not a total loss if one or both walk, though like everyone else, I would like for LaRose to return. But not for TOO much. I think actually signing a “sandpaper guy” or a “banger” or 2 with the money saved would be beneficial to the offense of the club – I think the Hordichuck experiment last off season failed because Hordichuck knew that he wouldn’t get playing time under Lavi, and the fact that Lavi wouldn’t play rough & tumble guys was what started the push to get Lavi out the door. Hoping the same mistake won’t be made twice…

Great write up, Bubba – and great comments as well.

Well said. Typical.

Should be a very interesting summer. Wonder how the 3 of them (JR, Chad and Erik) slept last night..?

I saw in the N&O (paper edition) this morning that the expected Salary Cap in another year or so is expected to go down to $53-54mil. If we go up at $1-2mil/yr from our $50mil now, as we have, than we’ll be right in line, without a crisis in 2011.

Here’s how Chip Alexander put it:

In past years, the arrival of noon on July 1 — the official start of the free agent signing period — was like the bell being sounded at the New York Stock Exchange. In quick order, some player-grabbing general managers matched up with cash-grabbing players.

But that was then. While the NHL salary cap has been bumped up a total of $17.7 million over the last three years, to $56.7 million last season, it will increase by only $100,000 next season.

Some general managers, with a nod to the economy and the potential for declining revenue, are anticipating the salary cap dropping after next season to perhaps $52 million or $53 million. Some teams are feeling the salary-cap squeeze.

“There will be some free-agent signings and some good contracts this year, but I don’t think there will be as many … as in past years,” Rutherford said. “If we do not sign a free agent right away, it’s because we want to be patient and wait until the market levels off. We can wait until August and see what’s available and what we need.”

Gotta think the GM’s had some casual conversations about this in Montreal over the weekend. I think JR (and I suppose, Jason K) are thinking long-term, which, IMHO, is pretty wise.

The agents, as usual, only live in the now.

Good insight as always, Bubba, and I appreciate your points. I’d love to see both players back here at the right price, in addition to their talent I think both bring an important dimension to locker room chemistry. That being said, I’m not going to begrudge either of them the opportunity to test the market, as they’ve earned the right to do that. I guess this is one of those situations where I’d tell them both to be careful what they wish for.

Bubba…. oh buddy….

You should frame this one… And mail it to JR to hang on his wall…. Not a soul on earth could have said it any more plain and clear.

That is why you are the man….
-M.

I just noticed that PB took them off the depth chart
http://hurricanes.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=DepthChartPage&dcid=12