Bayda Signs Two-Way With Pens - Newsflash: Jim Rutherford Knows the Market

by Bob Wage on Sep 28, 2009 11:15 PM EDT

Earth to all hockey players. If Jim Rutherford offers you a contract, you should probably strongly consider taking it. Back in June, Carolina offered a two-way contract to Ryan Bayda. The forward turned it down, thinking he could get a one-way somewhere else around the league. Ooops!

Late Monday, it was reported that Bayda signed a two-way deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but the point is he could have signed a similar deal with the Canes and stayed in a familiar situation without the headache and pressure of surviving a tryout.

Bayda is not the only player whose bubble was burst.

Dennis Seidenberg turned down an early offer by the Canes because he reportedly wanted a multi-year deal. But as it turned out, he signed a one year contract with the Florida Panthers very late in the free agency process. In other words, he could not get what he was hoping for.

The same thing happened with Anton Babchuk, who refused a qualifying offer of a million dollars made by the Hurricanes in early July. He was seeking in excess of two million for multiple years. The word is that Rutherford may have sweetened the offer a bit more, but none the less, Babchuk ended up signing for 1.5 million in the KHL and further delayed his future chances for arbitration rights and a big payday in the NHL.

Several sources said that Manny Malhotra was negotiating with the Canes during the free agency period, but the two sides could not agree to terms. The Canes ended up signing Stephane Yelle for $550,000. Maholtra could not find a home and went to San Jose on a tryout. He eventually signed for $700,000, after initially wanting more than the $1.1 million he earned last season. Anyone want to bet how much Rutherford may have offered the fourth line center?

All's well that ends well for the Canes, who ended up getting replacements they are very happy with. Time will tell how their decisions will work out for the respective players.

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I think Bayda knew he would end up in Albany, so he really didn't have much to lose by trying the market.

Babchuck for this year actually made a good deal for himself with 1.5 million tax free dollars and in his home country. I think everyone knows he would have never made a large payoff in the NHL now or in the future. At least he’s at home even though he would rather be here.

Us not re-signing Sidenberg is our loss and Flordia’s gain. If he plays for them like he did for us, he will get a good contract from them by the end of the season.

Speaking of JR, he still gets no respect from the NHL Network along with the Canes organization. We had about a 1-2 minute mention at the end of the show in their 1 hour preview special on the East. The fact we went as far as we did last season didn’t interest them a bit even with former goalie Weeks as one of the analysts. It was if we finished in the bottom 3 of the East last season.

Even though that pissed me off about the show, it was interesting to see the changes in the teams in the East this season. Montreal practically has a new team. I saw who picked up who during the summer, but never really payed attention to who left teams. Now seeing which players left teams and which players joined new teams show-cased on the show tonight was an eye opener for me. The East is stacked with good teams. We have our work cut out for us. It’s a great year for hockey!

by c59 on Sep 28, 2009 11:55 PM EDT reply actions

Added note on the NHL Network...they reported tonight "the Canes are expecting to give Sutter and Boychuck significant playing time"

Wow I wonder where they heard that? Hey I didn’t tell them, and oh not from JR, he never implied that they would be on the team much less get “significant playing time”. Makes you want to go hmmm…Now how did the NHL Network get that wrong?….

by c59 on Sep 29, 2009 12:15 AM EDT up reply actions

Because the Raleigh market doesn't matter to them at all?

Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt

by MichaelProcton on Sep 30, 2009 4:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Babchuk "would have never made a large payoff?"

If he had put up similar numbers this year to last, he could have made an absolute killing when he hit FA.

Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt

by MichaelProcton on Sep 30, 2009 4:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Bayda

I am one huge fan of JR’s acumen in pricing talent, but in Bayda’s defense there is probably a significant difference between a two-way contract somewhere on the Canes depth chart versus what my understanding is of the Penguin’s current depth (someone that knows that team better than me feel free to weigh in here).

So, greater chance of making the $500K (rumored on their fan board) side of that contract with them than perhaps us.

See you October 14th, Bayda!

by Elsker on Sep 29, 2009 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

good point. Looks like he will make the big club there, although there were no guarantees sweating it out in a tryout.

GM of CanesCountry.com

by Bob Wage on Sep 29, 2009 1:22 AM EDT up reply actions

If you look back at the signings this year there was a definite difference between the veterans and the youngsters. Larose and Cole decided to test the market in case someone wanted to had them a Hossa like deal, and when none appeared in the first few hours they got back into the organization as quickly as possible.

Bayda and Seidenberg ended up with deals that pay them fairly for what they bring to their respective teams. Seidenberg would have been nice to keep around, I don’t think Bayda would have played much with the big squad this year without significant 06-07 style injuries.

Babchuk gets a Russian salary purportedly similar to a number JR may have been willing to give, but tax free. My question is, are ambulance services extra in Russia?

I think what we ended up with overall are the hockey players that want to be here this year. And while I am a Babchuk fan, I thought he had great potential, and was not against Seidenberg or Bayda, I think players happy to be in Raleigh will be better for the Canes than players happy with their paychecks.

by EricinSC on Sep 29, 2009 1:33 AM EDT up reply actions

Who cares about Bayda ??

He is nothing but a 4th line winger at best !! Good bye and good luck b/c if you screw up in Pittsburgh you will be right back on the free agent market.

Rurtherford is the best NHL GM period.

Hey Maybe he can help out my “AWFUL” Carolina Panthers !!!

I wonder if Bayda can play QB, I would sign him and take him over Jake Delhomme !!

by Holty_Panthers_Fan on Sep 29, 2009 12:33 AM EDT reply actions

Perhaps he could be a coach for them to? We need one of those.

Member of Canes Country and the Cat Scratch Reader

by Ivan459 on Sep 29, 2009 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, at least we did our part. Over at Pensburgh, both the fanpost and Main story on Bayda’s contract last night mention (even credit) Canes Country’s efforts in their non-scientific poll. Congratulations to the Caniac Nation for making this happen for Ryan and his family. Yes we can.

Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!

by Carolyn Christians on Sep 29, 2009 9:46 AM EDT reply actions

He definitely knows the market, which a GM should, though not all of them do. I cant help but think how much this franchise could have benefited by being able to sign Staal long term a year later. These long term deals signed during the good old days are going to hamper a lot more teams in the future.

by Killswitch on Sep 29, 2009 9:57 AM EDT reply actions

Signing Staal to a long term deal in this off-season would have taken time away from the negotiations with Ruutu, Cole, and LaRose, not to mention the calls JR placed on July 1. Additionally, Staal might be seeing more money in his paycheck this season if he would have negotiated this year given his playoffs last year.

Long term contracts are a fact of pro-sports, and when used wisely allow a JR to lock up his core group long term and then bring in the pieces around them. The problems arise when a GM gives long term deals to people who don’t deserve/need them or over pay, two things JR didn’t do with Staal.

Embrace big ideas!

by C-Leaguer on Sep 29, 2009 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions

I’m looking at it like this, the prospects who have been drafted in recent years will all potentially earn a raise during Staals contract. IF Boychuck, Sutter, Mcbain and Bowman live up to their expectations, which they seem to be on their way to doing, JR will not be able to re-sign all of them. I’m not saying Staal doesnt desrve the money or that another team wouldnt have gave him just as much but I would have liked to have seen an average of about 7M across the board. That would have been a real possibility in the leagues current state.

by Killswitch on Sep 29, 2009 11:47 AM EDT reply actions

Isn’t Staal’s cap hit 6.25? or is it 8.25…..damn I can’t remember.

Regardless, it isn’t like we gave Brian Campbell a gigantic contract only to realize we still need to sign Toewes, Kane, and Keith in one off season.

by Iggy Reilly on Sep 29, 2009 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s not easy to pick out in the left column of the front page, but the Canes salary chart is always here and clear.

Harwood has suggested we improve the “ease of use” with a special hot button. Good idea?

Here are those numbers. You were sorta “right” with both numbers, Iggy.

Player……………Cap Hit ……………………. Salary.
……………………2009-10…………………….2009-10
_______________________________________________
Eric Staal ……….$8,250,000 ……………$6,000,000

Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!

by Carolyn Christians on Sep 29, 2009 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Couple more twists in the tale this afternoon

Pens sign Skoula to a 1-yr contract

Bayda’s been put on waivers (heading to Wilkes Barre it seems). (

Both from Puck Daddy: Camp Cut Shockers

Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!

by Carolyn Christians on Sep 29, 2009 3:38 PM EDT reply actions

If he is on a two way contract he shouldn’t be going through waivers to be sent to the ahl. Strange to sign a guy then waive him the next day. Bayda back in Albany?

by Iggy Reilly on Sep 29, 2009 3:46 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I was wondering that too – since he has a 2-way, but then I thought maybe there was a subtlety I missed to all this.

Penguins official site has Skoula signing and no change on Bayda since last night. Perhaps Puck Daddy’s twitter feed source (USA Today’s NHL coverage) just messed up the details of what the Pens were doing….

Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!

by Carolyn Christians on Sep 29, 2009 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions

for the record, he does go through waivers. Has nothing to do with the contract he signed and all to do with years in the league, and he is at the point where he needs to clear waivers before being sent to (Wilkes/Barre). It’s actually a good thing for him. Allows any team in the league the chance to pick him up before he has to play in the AHL.

GM of CanesCountry.com

by Bob Wage on Sep 29, 2009 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions

So that explains it then. THanks

by Iggy Reilly on Sep 29, 2009 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions

He's played in too many games/is too old NOT to go through waivers.

However, the two-way deal basically does give them his rights unless somebody has an NHL spot for him. They’d have to send him through waivers to get him to their AHL team.

Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt

by MichaelProcton on Sep 30, 2009 5:08 AM EDT up reply actions

According to Bob Mackenzie at TSN Skoula’s 1-yr contract was $575,000. Is he the next Scuderi?

We are paying Alberts – $800k and a big jump to $1.3mil the next year? $575,000 is like Conboy money.

Seems surprising (and related to the theme of this story) – Skoula was among the preferred options for us over the summer when we were struggling, waiting for JR to sign a new D-man when talks with Seids fell through.

Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!

by Carolyn Christians on Sep 29, 2009 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions

maybe it seems the JR could have waited even Longer…?

by chrisj on Sep 30, 2009 12:08 AM EDT up reply actions

who knows

by chrisj on Sep 30, 2009 12:08 AM EDT up reply actions

There is a cost for youth and upside.

Alberts is only a year younger, but he’s played in 400+ more NHL games. The idea would be that Skoula’s hit his ceiling, whereas Alberts has room to grow. And it’s not like he’s some scrub, either. A +6 guy who played almost 16:00 a night for a really good team was there for a reason.

Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt

by MichaelProcton on Sep 30, 2009 5:12 AM EDT up reply actions