Final Thoughts about the Cole and LaRose Negotiations
by Bob Wage on Jul 1, 2009 12:32 AM EDT
22 comments
According to this article posted on WRAL.com earlier tonight, negotiations have broken down between the Canes and Erik Cole and Chad LaRose. Cole was offered a two year deal while LaRose was offered three, but both offers were rebuffed. Jim Rutherford was quoted as saying that the Canes will now do the same thing the players are doing, test the market.
These players are not your run of the mill journeymen who have bounced their way around the NHL. Other than Cole's brief hiatus to Edmonton for a few months last season, both of these athletes have been in this organization since the very beginning of their NHL careers. Cole was drafted by Carolina in 1998. LaRose was passed over by the entire league and was never drafted. He was given a chance by management and was signed as a free agent.
When Jim Rutherford traded for the return of Cole in March, he made the comment that Cole "belonged in Carolina". He also alluded to the fact that it would be nice if he spent his entire career here.
LaRose got his break playing for a Peter Karmanos owned team, the Plymouth Whalers starting in 2002. Chad worked his way up from the Florida Everblades, to the Lowell Lock Monsters, and then eventually made it to the Hurricanes.
That's a lot of history between two players and an organization.
While one can never begrudge a player for trying to maximize their earnings while they can, perhaps these players and their agents should look at the big picture. Ask Glen Wesley. Ask Ron Francis. This organization can be loyal to a fault, if they like you and you do right by them.
For instance, do they really need five coaches? One might have thought that Kevin McCarthy would be the odd man out after Ron Francis was brought behind the bench and Tom Barrasso was given the extra responsibility as assistant coach as well as goalie coach. But with 17 years in the organization, McCarthy was simply moved upstairs and his input is still valued.
I can not recall all of the details of the past contract negotiations between Rutherford and Francis and Wesley. But I do remember that after negotiations had stalled, Rutherford and Francis met at PF Chang's once and "The Franchise" left his agent behind. The two were able to hammer out the numbers and agree on the essence of a new deal over lunch.
It seemed like Wesley would always be given a contract offer later in the summer, after the budget details had been worked out. The redhead never seemed to test the market while he waited. (publically anyway). He trusted Jim Rutherford and the feeling was mutual.
Now look where these loyal players are.
Agents are not paid to take loyalty into consideration when they are negotiating new contracts. They get paid by the dollar. But sometimes it's necessary to look at the intangibles. The cost of living is cheap in Raleigh, how much is that worth? How much is loyalty worth?
Perhaps sometimes you have to ask your agent to stay home and then sit down and have lunch with your GM. A face to face meeting with the person you are attempting to compromise with can work wonders.
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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
But given the way he finished the regular season...
You could see how he and his agent would project that out and say he’s worth more. A 50% paycut is kind of a slap in the face to a player who, while probably is past his peak, is not old by any means.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 1, 2009 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Word
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.
Nailed It
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.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
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.
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Jul 1, 2009 9:45 AM EDT reply actions
I just noticed that PB took them off the depth chart
http://hurricanes.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=DepthChartPage&dcid=12
whoa, scary to think if JR and Karmonos hold the cash back and don’t sign anyone, why just might go into the season with that roster.
Please JR, you have good instincts, sign a guy that can benefit the team for this season.
Member of Canes Country and the Cat Scratch Reader
He will.
Why wouldn’t he spend the extra $4 mil or so he’s got sitting around?
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 1, 2009 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions
It would only make sense...
Them not actually being members of the team anymore.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 1, 2009 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions
...
given they’re not on the team anymore
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 1, 2009 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions
So what does everyone think that Chad LaRose should be paid, or what would you pay him if you were JR or the owner? I think given the year he had (with playing very limited time in the first half of the season) that he should be worth about 2 million, but giving some value to team loyalty and being able to stay in the same place, I would think that an offer similar to what Jokinen signed for should be reasonable (but my understanding is that he was offered considerably less).
I initially thought that the Canes would have no trouble signing Chad unless he and his agent were making unreasonable demands. But from what has been offered to LaRose, I can’t blame him for looking elsewhere. If every player put as much effort into every shift as Chad does, it’s hard to imagine that we wouldn’t be very competitive with every team. When I was watching Detroit in the playoffs, it seemed to me that they had a bunch of players who put out the effort like Chad does, and maybe that’s part of why they are so successful. With only a few months of playing more than 10 minutes a game, and with not being on the power play, Chad scored 19 goals. I think that (and his playoff performance) shows that he is capable of scoring 30 goals a year if you put him on any of the first 3 lines. He also creates so many opportunities for the other players by stealing the puck or pestering the puck carrier, and he is effective in drawing penalties without being a jerk like Sean Avery. I think that the Canes are going to miss LaRose much more than most people may realize.
by canadianexpatriate on Jul 1, 2009 3:54 PM EDT reply actions
Where did you get your figures on the LaRose offer?
All I’ve seen is 3 years.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 1, 2009 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Inside information of up to yesterday morning… although I don’t know the amount of the latest offer from late yesterday. I don’t know for sure, but I bet that Rosie would sign for what they offered Jussi.
by canadianexpatriate on Jul 2, 2009 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions
Man – you had that nailed. I’ll be seeking out your posts on LaRose for the duration. (until his fiance and your wife stop feeding you info)
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Jul 2, 2009 10:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Chad Larose signs with the Hurricanes!
The Canes finally offered Chad LaRose the same as Jokinen, and he has agreed. I am so glad; I would have hated to lose him!
by canadianexpatriate on Jul 2, 2009 6:24 PM EDT reply actions
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