Anton Babchuk - Enigma or Pariah?
by Bob Wage on Jul 6, 2009 12:25 PM EDT
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PrintCarolina Hurricanes defenseman, Anton Babchuk, recently joined the group of players who have annoyed general manager Jim Rutherford during contract negotiations. The Canes reportedly qualified Babchuk with an offer of a million dollars last week, but Babchuk's agent informed the team that his client wanted a raise to come back to Raleigh.
Unlike Tuomo Ruutu, the Ukraine native does not have arbitration rights and has to rely strictly upon the Hurricanes need of his services. Why doesn't the youngster have arbitration rights? Poor decision making during the 2006-07 season.
In February of 2007, the Hurricanes were caught with too many defensemen, (10), when they activated Frank Kaberle off of the injured reserve. Management was left with no choice but to assign Babchuk to Albany because they were one man over the roster limit and Babchuk was the only blueliner who had a two-way contract. But the disgruntled player initially refused to go to Albany and was then suspended by the team.
In Babchuk's mind, he had a good reason why he shouldn't be demoted. He was playing better than other defensemen David Tanabe and Andrew Hutchinson. Regardless, he signed that two-way contract and he should have followed orders.
After the suspension, he realized the error of his ways and finally reported to the AHL affiliate a few days late. But the defenseman apparently held a grudge about the incident and the following season he decided to stay in Europe and play in the KHL. (The Hurricanes were not happy with him either). Since he lost that year of eligibilty, the decision to stay overseas is costing him a chance at a bigger payday and salary arbitration this summer.
Babchuk would undoubtedly get a healthy pay increase if he went to arbitration. His total of 16 goals was fourth best among all NHL defensemen. He had the best plus/ minus among his peers, (blueliners), on the team and he was a potent weapon to be contended with on the powerplay. But he went from being a hero, after scoring the game-winning goal against Pittsburgh when the Canes clinched a playoff spot, to being a goat, as he was turned inside out while trying to play defense during the playoffs.
While some in the media have blasted the youngster, calling him a "train wreck in his own end", his inconsistencies are not that much different than other young NHL defensemen. He needs more experience. It's easy for the media to throw him under the bus because he certainly is not the most exciting interview in the Carolina dressing room. But I can tell you this, Babchuk wants to be here.
I had the opportunity to ask him a couple of questions earlier this season and this is a brief transcript of it: The audio follows.
Canes Country- Anton, can you tell me the primary differences for you, between playing in the KHL and playing in the NHL?
Babchuk- The best players play here in this league. The size of the hockey rink is different. There is more contact here and the speed is faster here and more shots on the net. That is the difference.
Canes Country- At the end of the year last year, did you decide that you wanted to come back here to play or did the Hurricanes contact you? How did that all work?
Babchuk- I asked my agent to contact the management here and ask the management. And they decide to sign me. I would like to come here to play.
No one has ever questioned the defenseman's work ethic. He lost some weight from the last time he was here and has stayed after practice repeatedly to work on his shot, usually with coach Kevin McCarthy. Obviously, the extra work has paid off. But now the Hurricanes have to decide whether it is worth it to offer the prospect a slight pay increase and try to bring him back for another year, or go in another direction completely. Can they sign a better defenseman elsewhere for the same amount of money?
Babchuk needs to make up his mind if he wants to continue to play in the NHL, where the best players are, or return to hockey obscurity in the KHL. It could be a career changing summer for him.
______
more about Babchuk-
Canes Country readers give the defenseman a grade of B
Cory calls Babchuk, Raleigh's own "Big Unit"
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Screw ’em! His play was good… but who needs a childish attitude in the locker room?
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Jul 6, 2009 12:33 PM EDT reply actions
I’m thinking that Babs has used up his good will in Raleigh as far as Rutherford is concerned. It will be inherently stressful and probably not productive for him to return here given the history and the fact that he doesn’t seem to click with the players (language/cultural barriers?). How much longer till he’s a UFA?
I think JR will find a team to make us a decent trade to get that kind of splashy blue-line threat. I have no idea where that opportunity would be. I like packaging Eaves too.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by Carolyn Christians on Jul 6, 2009 12:41 PM EDT reply actions
"Your only as good as your last shift"
Who ever said that knew exactly what they were talking about. I’ve never been a big Babchuck fan, but I didn’t realize how good his stats were. He was a hero with promise at the end of the season for us. Wow, if he could have come alive in the playoffs like he did late in the season, he would be our defensive hero right now. I’m thinking he should be given a fair raise, give him some confidence to be able to perform well for our defense and keep him another year or two. The dude is young and can actually become a good defenseman (not great, but good). With what we have going on with Rutuu’s salary and us needing some defensive depth, if we can’t trade him with Eaves then, raise him and keep him. He can be a good depth defensiveman for us IMO.
C
This is a prime example of stats not telling the complete story. His 2nd half goals overshadow his mediocre defensive play. As soon as teams realized they couldnt leave him open at the point he was nothing more than a liability on the ice. It would be nice if there was a team that overvalued him based on his numbers and the Canes could pick up some picks and/or prospects for negotiating rights.
I doubt we're gonna be able to trade him...
Unless a team works out a contract beforehand.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 9, 2009 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions
While I would love to keep Babchuk in the fold based on his potential, and the marked improvements he showed this past season in reaching said potential, I also completely understand Rutherford taking the hard line on this one. It’s a good negotiating stance.
Not like Babs and his representatives have a lot of options, at the NHL level at least.
Is he inconsistent defensively, sure. But he is still a young guy (25) and he has already lost a year of NHL-level development – not to mention his arbitration rights – by taking a year in the KHL. Not sure that route would be the best for him now as far as landing with another NHL club at fair value goes. And everything I read or heard about Babs this season led me to believe that, while his is not the most outgoing personality and he can be quiet and shy off the ice, he was definitely working hard both on and off the ice to fit in with team and his teammates.
Despite Rutherford’s strong stance in the media, I don’t think the door is necessarily closed on this one. It probably depends a lot on what shakes out over the next month with Ruutu and whatever we are able (or not) to finagle on the free agent market or through trade with regards to adding a top four/six defenseman. If nothing shakes out there, I think you could see the team reopen negotiations with Babchuk, perhaps even with a slight raise. Just my gut feeling.
I hope both sides find a way to swallow a little bit of pride and come to some sort of agreement. I honestly think that would be beneficial to both parties.
Babchuk still has loads of room to grow, and if he is able to continue his improvement at the same rate as we saw this past season, he will be one difficult UFA to sign next summer. (Which is why Rutherford could well be shopping him now). But returning to the KHL would most likely be a major blow to his NHL career prospects.
-martin
Babs does offer some offensive ability not every defenseman has. He has a hard shot and goes to the net at opportune times. With that being said, my opinion is “he sucks” on defense. He doesn’t use his big frame, he doesn’t hold the puck in the zone very well, he doesn’t play the puck very well, and he looks like the slowest guy out there. I’ve seen paint dry that is faster than him. In my opinion, he is a reserve defenseman / powerplay specialist. I just hope some miserable power play team offers us a 2nd round pick or something for him.
Sorry, you all probably know that im a Babchuk fan…..not like his “#1 fan” or anything…..just that I dont see as much wrong with him as the majority seems to. I’ll play devils advocate to those who are not fans of his.
Babs put up 16 goals and 35 pts while also being +13 in over 18 min average over 72 games
“His 2nd half goals overshadow his mediocre defensive play.”
“my opinion is "he sucks" on defense.”
Babs = +13 on the season (disciplined….only 16 pim thats fewer than anybody who played more than 41 games, not counting Sutter who only avg’d 8:50 a night)
Corvo = -1
Gleason = +3 (“shut down” kinda player right?, only played 2 min more than Babs)
Seidenberg = -9
Babs played a little over 18 min a night, and surely other teams werent playing there “checking line” for 18 min a night!
I understand JR (Mr. Poker Player) but Babchuk is a very young guy, and yes he has made a couple mistakes, but come on the guy should of been offered 2 mil 1 yr I think. When you sign a guy in Babs situation, no one had any clue what we were gettin with him, you sign him for 1 mil, and he gives you 35 pts, and +13?, and you offer him no raise? Thats a slap in the face to Babs. Offering Babs a raise I agree would have done wonders to his young confidence. This kids still developing and at 6’5" could become a beast one day. A first round pick at that. With some confidence heading in to the season he should be firing away! People say “yea but he cant hit water from a boat” but I’ve also heard “sometimes the best pass is a bad shot”. People dont necessarily enjoy jumping in front to block a “Babchuk Bomb”! I really like the guy, expect him to develop into a solid defensive dman as well as an exceptionally offensive dman, I hope we keep him. 2 mil, 1 year
Let me apologize. I should not have been as harsh as I was. Babchuk is not one of my favorite and he frustrates me many nights (as well as Joni). Babs does have an offensive game and potential, but given this situation and his past with the Canes; I think it might be best for him to move on and get a fresh start somewhere else.
For me it depends on what we can get for him. If the return isnt very good, I’d like to see him signed for the 2 mil 1 year I mentioned.
What do you think of 2mil 1yr. Too much, too little, wanna see him gone no matter what? I’ve heard a lot of the “let him leave” stuff but not a lot of what people think is fair for him, do you think JR’s 1 mil qualifying offer is fair considering he just did a 1yr 1mil deal? Opinions???
Too much.
You don’t double a guy’s salary when he still has so much improving to do. That will lead to complacency like nothing other.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 9, 2009 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions
like I said, his goals made up for his lack of defensive play as indicated by his +/-. And again, given time to get his shot off at the point, he can unleash a lethal shot but as soon as teams started pressuring him he was doomed. Its impossible to argue his ability at this point because people are blinded by the numbers he put up, I’m going by what I witnessed over the full season and without a doubt his negatives outweighed his positives. This team doesnt need another defenseman who’s stronger in the O-zone than the D-zone.
his stats, play, and even experience are not a problem for me at all…..
it’s his attitude… in most lines of work if you don’t do what you’re told you’re gone…. Anton has been given his second chance and he really really has to be careful not to mess it up…
I don’t necessarily think that $1.million is what would be considered “fair” considering his production… but at the same time… The only person Anton Babchuck can blame is himself. He chose to play in Russia… and he was damn lucky to get the chance to play here a second time….
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Jul 6, 2009 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions
agreed. I would be just happy with paying the guy 1.5-1.9mil this season, but he dosnt have any room for being bitchy.
by packpigskinfan25 on Jul 6, 2009 6:23 PM EDT up reply actions
here's some stat analysis that came up when we were rating Wallin last month.
We looked at stats before and after the All-Star Game using it as the break to distuinguish between the “Old Canes” (under Lavi and learning Mo) and the “New Canes” , finally executing Mo’s system which placed a higher priority on D. These are regular season stats, so still aren’t really complete. And the formatting doesn’t allow me to space these out to making reading easier:
These stats came from Yahoo Sports and props to web-stat cruncher extraordinaire Michael Procton who directed me there
First the +/- numbers:
Wallin Pre-ASG -3 , then Post-ASG +2
Gleason Pre-ASG -1 , then Post-ASG +4
Seidenburg Pre-ASG -11 , then Post-ASG +2
Pitkanen Pre-ASG-3 , then Post-ASG +14
Babchuk Pre-ASG-6 , then Post-ASG +19
Corvo Pre-ASG -2 , then Post-ASG +1
Then their points (G+A) Pre and Post-ASG:
Wallin Pre-ASG 9 then Post-ASG 1
Gleason Pre-ASG 8 , then Post-ASG 4
Seidenburg Pre-ASG 17 , then Post-ASG 13
Pitkanen Pre-ASG 21 then Post-ASG 12
Babchuk Pre-ASG 11 then Post-ASG 24
Corvo Pre-ASG 21 then Post-ASG 17
If you’ve made it this far, I would summarize thus: (and this is predictable and demonstrates the effect of the system change)
Post ASG , the +/- went up a TON for Seids, Pits and Babs. Less so, but still up for the other 3.
Post ASG, the point production from the blue line went down for everyone excepting Babchuk.
I’m not smart enough to draw any conclusions, but I do think this breakdown is relevent to the discussion of comparing D-corps stats this season.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by Carolyn Christians on Jul 6, 2009 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Were other teams playing their checking line the whole time Babs was out there?
Certainly not. But you’re not considering how much time he spent on special-teams units. He got nearly 4:00 a game on those units, and if you’re really going to argue that we were sending him out there at even strength against the other teams’ top two lines on a regular basis, you just weren’t watching. If he had wanted a guaranteed raise, he should have stayed in the NHL and maintained his arbitration rights. And if not getting a raise he isn’t owed is enough to hurt his “young confidence,” he probably should find another occupation.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 9, 2009 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions
Oh...
And the guy never gets any PIMs because he’s allergic to manning guys up on defense.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 9, 2009 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Trade him
I’m not a Babchuck hater, but don’t we already have two other defensemen in Corvo and Joni that can score but are defensive liabilities? We need to be trying to find someone who can fill in for the loss of Seidenberg IMO.
Still not a crook!
I don't know if I agree with that assessment of Corvo or Pitkanen.
Both are improving steadily in their own end, particularly Joni.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 9, 2009 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions
I don't know if I agree with that assessment of Corvo or Pitkanen.
Both are improving steadily in their own end, particularly Joni.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 9, 2009 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m thinking that JR feels like he swallowed his pride last summer resigning Babchuck and feels Babchuck owes him back for that. I’m not saying that if that is what he is thinking that it makes it right. I appreciate the fact that JR did that for Babchuck and the team last summer. However, Babchuck worked hard and from what I have read had a major attitude adjustment in the locker room and got along with the team well versus his other season when he left.
I’m sorry folks, but you can’t have 14 goals, 35 points and be +13 on the ice and played sorry most of the season. Those stats cannot be ignored. He had to be doing something right a lot of the time to achieve that IMO. How many times did we want a puck moving defensiveman last year? Gleason scored no goals in the regular season and 1 goal in the playoffs and he is regarded as a defensive God by some. Don’t get me wrong, I love Gleason and what he brings to this team too.
The surprising thing for me is I couldn’t stand Babchuck last summer and resented JR for bringing him back, so I’m eating some crow here.-LOL
C
Sign him
I think he is a work in progress. Babs was certainly more effective last year than in his prior stint with the ’Canes. Were we not committed already with Kaberle and Nicky , this would not be an issue. He needs to be smart about the $. One season is not a career.
On an unrelated subject, the Philadelphia papers reported over the weekend that they Flyers were chasing LaRose hard, and were pretty let down when he signed here…….
Thanks for the LaRose a Flyer - NOT! tip
Philadelphia Inquirer lamenting that they didn’t sign Rosey
This Babchuk discussion is too grueling for me.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by Carolyn Christians on Jul 6, 2009 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions
If we are going to compare attitudes, no one has a worse attitude on the ice and locker room than Pitkanen from what I read. He’s cocky on the ice and out of place many times on the ice. Pitkanen had 7 goals, 33 points and was a +11 in the regular season in 71 games. Except in the playoffs, Babchuck out shined him and look as his salary.
C
I don’t think Joni ever left the team to play in Russia… and he didn’t refuse an AHL assignment…..
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Jul 6, 2009 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Who knows?
Who knows what Joni would do if he was sent to Albany, that is something we don’t know. Don’t be so sure he would throw a stink in that locker room if he ever was. Of course that’s a mute point, JR’s not going to send a player with his salary to the Albany, We can speculate to the end of time about that one.
C
by c59 on Jul 6, 2009 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions
I think you are way off on Joni
By all accounts he always comes to the rink with a smile and works his butt off. He has been miscast as a bad teammate in the past due to his lack of skill with english and his shy demeanor of the ice. Joni does what we brought him here to due jump in the rush and press the issue from the blueline. As the season wore on and his teammates got used to his play he appeared to be better and better. Plus, he is always on the ice, in all situations….Moe doesn’t tap him on the shoulder just for the fun of it.
C59 whatever you have read should be taken with a grain of salt. The word inside the organization is that he is well liked by staff and team if not a bit shy. He is not another Ozolinsh or Teverdovsky.
by SouthernHockeyFan on Jul 6, 2009 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Glad to hear that. He sure seemed pretty cheery when carpooling home from RDU with Jussi and Ruuts. That may be part of it. Isn’t Jussi supposed to have the best English?
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by Carolyn Christians on Jul 6, 2009 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Jussi speaks the best english
I remember an interview with Gleason early in the season when he was playing with Joni. He remarked how it was difficult to communicate with him on the ice due to struggles with the english language. Let’s also remember that when Babchuk was playing his best he was paired with Joni. I think Joni makes his teammates better, what more can you ask? He is only like 25!
Side note: my wife absolutely loves when Rutuu gives interviews, he comes across as so enthusiastic and according to her he is a man’s man.
My nephew and I talked with Joni and Rutuu last preseason at a game…and they were both very gracious and seemed glad to be here. But we could tell that Rutuu was much more fluent than Joni.
by SouthernHockeyFan on Jul 6, 2009 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Really?
Babchuk’s 1 assist and -5 were more impressive than Pitkanen’s 8 and 0?
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 9, 2009 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Good player, wrong fit
I don’t think there is any doubt that Babchuk is a talented player. He may have stumbled in the playoffs, but those were his first playoffs, a not insignificant factor when evaluating a young defensemen. The issue with Babchuk and the Canes is that he will be the third best puck moving/offensive defensemen behind Corvo and Pitkanen next year. That means he slots third pair. He also doesn’t fill the Canes true need on the blue line which is another top 4 defensive defensemen. Unless we believe he can turn in to Joe Corvo and will fill that spot until McBain is ready to, then it just doesn’t make a good fit.
The other issue that I think will always get in the way of a better relationship between player and management is that Babchuk is a guy who stands to make more money playing at home in the KHL. JR can’t treat Babs like other players, because the only thing keeping him in the NHL is the desire to play against the absolute best. The difficulty is pricing what does that mean to Babs as compared to his salary he could make playing in the KHL living in his home country.
I want him back!
Never in a million years would have even made the playoffs without him. I don’t care if he choked in the playoffs. He’s young and talented. Needs more time to mature on and off the ice. He’ll be a solid defender for us one day and already is an incredible offensive threat from the blue line. Pay the man.
Love, love, love the Canes!
Qualifying RFA offers are rarely accepted by the tendered player on the first go. They pretty much are made just to get the ball rolling. That said, 1M is definately on the low side – I think the ball rolled back in JR’s schnoz in this case. I would have offered him a multi-year deal — 2M for ‘09-10 (so he knows we appreciate his growth), and then incentive-heavy increases thereafter (when Wallin and Kabs are gone) based on performance. You don’t want to get stuck with a wet towel (like we got stuck with Kabs) but you want to protect the investment you made in trading Danny Richmond.
“(so he knows we appreciate his growth)” I agree with this statement and think it would be very instrumental in dealing with someone like Babchuk. Regarding his past issue with the AHL and what-not, we cant forget that he was only what 23, probably a “superstar” all his life, everywhere he played. I can understand his ego being a little out of whack. Not trying to justify what he did, but if he’s seriously shown that he’s apologetic, understanding of his mistakes, and moved past that and has had a little “humbling” here with the NHL, then offering him 1 Mil is almost a joke!
I personally like Caniac1026’s idea of an incentive heavy deal. If JR is gonna accept the guy, and look past Babs youthful mistakes, then he needs to treat him with respect. Im not bashing JR at all, I will accept whatever he does, and I understand the low-balling that goes on, but surely JR knows Babs is due at least a slight raise!
Also regarding the “Good player wrong fit” argument, I like him slotted to the 3rd line, hell I like him on the 2nd line. Any DMan who finishes +13 in 71 games over 18 min a night at this young age is “shutdown” enough for me! Guys potential is through the roof.
I think we sign babs with the money we saved by losing seids salary. top 6 would be (in no order/pairing) Pitkanen, Corvo, Babs, Gleason, Kaberle, Wallin. Maybe put Babs with Pitkanen, Gleason with Corvo and Wallin with Kaberle/whoever we call-up or wins the 6th spot in camp. Wallin and Kaberle are what they are, being scratched will be nothing new to Kabs.
Dont forget we didnt even become “defensive minded” until Mo came back. You cant have a high scoring defensive team. I believe we will score enough goals from the forwards, plus a high scoring defense, with Mo’s sound system, and the stellar play of Ward, I think we’ll be fine with the D we have. This stay at home defensive dman everyones clamoring for will really have to impress me to justify trading Babs. Our style doesnt really suit a fully defensive dman, I like our balance for the style of hockey we play…..
Defensive defensemen
Having another defensive defensemen probably ends the Boston series in 6 games as opposed to 7. How much better would the Canes have played in game 1 against Pittsburgh with two fewer plain trips and a couple of extra days off? You could even go farther back and ask how much less punishment might the Canes have taken from Jersey and Boston combined with a bigger, harder hitting D-man out there as opposed to Seidenburg, and Babchuk/Kaberle. They have the team to get to the playoffs, but what the big d-man gives them is a team that can then win in the playoffs.
Speculation such as this, while good for thought and debate, dont really weigh much. You say that with a bigger defensive minded DMan we may have done better in the playoffs, yet without Babs 35 points this year we may not of even MADE the playoffs! But other side of the coin, you could argue back that with a defensive DMan we may not of needed Babs 35 points. What Im saying is that with a +13, I take that as pretty sound defensively then you throw in 16 goals!? Thats pretty freakin good, again hes young so next year he’ll probably be even better in his own end, and at 6ft 5 and 212lbs, maybe he hits the gym this summer, and who knows, maybe he’ll begin crushing people as his confidence continues to rise. All Im saying is I’d hate to see him be replace with some stay-at-homer like Wallin. I like the idea of 3 offensive minded, and 3 defensive minded. Babs, Corvo, and Pitkanen paired with Gleason, Wallin, and McBain (or whoever makes the cut).
We may have been defensive minded..
but we still got more production from the blueline than almost any other year in franchise history. (Haven’t check the stats, just off top of my head). We need another d-man to log big minutes and be paired with Joni, or Corvo if Gleason is paired with Joni. I think Stud D-men make the most difference in the regular season with ability to night in night out wear down other teams best players. When you get to the playoffs defense of top end players becomes more of a team concept.
by SouthernHockeyFan on Jul 6, 2009 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions
"To get the ball rolling..."
And to maintain his rights.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 9, 2009 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions
And sorry...
But we don’t need to be crying over Danny Richmond and his 49 career NHL games.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 9, 2009 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions
No more incentive laden contracts
Under the new CBA there are no incentive laden contracts. The only time incentives can be approved is for players coming off major injuries, and possible players over 35 and entry contracts. No other contracts can carry incentives. That means Babchuk cannot be signed to an incentive laden deal.
Also, $2 million is a bit expensive for a third pair guy. Again, that’s not what his talent is, but a reflection on the team and the amount of puck moving defensemen already under contract. He’s more in the 1.25 to 1.5 area at least for this team.
When will Babs become a UFA?
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by Carolyn Christians on Jul 6, 2009 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions
after he plays enough seasons or reaches the age of 28 (I think)
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Jul 6, 2009 8:08 PM EDT up reply actions
I got an idea…..everyones been debating how much hes worth, who wants him here or not, and why, so if your amongst the group who wants babs gone, or wants more of a defensive specialist, who? Even if its a trade that will never happen, please, enlighten us all with who could be that “shutdown” guy, thats gonna put up similar numbers to Babs, and be priced in the same bracket as Babs. And dont even think about “throwing in Kaberle to dump salary” so you can tell me someone like Pronger would work! For 2 mil or less it doesnt get much more shutdown than +13!
AGREED
I like the upside. He can improve his positioning but really he opens the net up. Who wants to block that shot? Numbers do not lie. There is nothing deceptive about his numbers. He had a tremendous season. He deserves a raise to 1.25 million. He is fun to watch. That guy has steadily improved every year out there. He had a couple of tough playoff games but who didn’t against the Pens? He is a top 3 dman and he will continue to improve. He has shown the organization respect by picking up his game, time to step up. We need to sign him, we will not find anyone better out there without paying a big price.
ruutu
i think ruutu is leaving a good player like ruutu will be at least offered a contract and it will probably be a good enough contract that he will accept but we still get a draft pick Rutherford is the kind of guy where he will find a fill in player maybe Morrison, Lang or Jason Williams they all would fit in carolina they dont cost that much ether there all about 2,000,000 lets just wait and see
Other D?
Since from what I’ve been reading (in UK I can only get info from internet sites and blogs) our 3 puck moving D have contributed very efficiently to the team’s success this year so surely it would be best to keep them all in place and just focus on improving the defensive D?
Obviously Gleason is a keeper so no questions there.
Wallin can be a bit of a liability can’t he? (Just speculating from reports I’ve read, I have difficulty actually watching any games beyond NHL.com’s highlights) Would it not be a good idea to replace him with one of the juniors or perhaps in a package trade?
And then bring in a FA to replace Seids?
And whats happening with Conboy? Last I heard he was to have a 1 way contract this year? Is that to be in defense or to stay up front?
So yea, keep Corvo, Joni and Babs to do their job in acting offensively and just make improvements in the D we employ to do their job better?
Also, another question… If Babchuk is (apparently) such a “train wreck” on defense and yet so leathal with his slap shot, could he not just be used as a forward and then put on the point on the PP? Thats ignoring the fact that we have so many forwards lol…
Yes, Conboy has a one-way deal next year.
But it’s not terribly expensive ($500K), so he probably won’t be guaranteed a roster spot. As for his position, I think they have an easier time giving him a jersey as a 7th defenseman, but his flexibility to do either is not a bad thing.
As for Babs at F, it just hurts our offensive capabilities. As a defenseman, he’s good to great as an offensive player. As a forward, though, he’d be just average.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 9, 2009 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions
One thing about Babs that concerns me...
He just doesn’t seem to think the rules apply to him. He wasn’t willing to go to the AHL after he agreed to a two-year contract, and now that his own choices led to his losing arbitration rights, he’s whining about the Canes’ RFA tender offer, which is exactly what they’re allowed to do under the CBA rules.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
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