Five Things We Learned From The Tim Gleason Contract Extension
by Cory Lavalette on Jan 31, 2012 10:27 AM EST
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The Carolina Hurricanes made a surprising move Monday, removing veteran Tim Gleason from the trade deadline rumor mill by inking him to a four-year extension worth $16 million. The signing sets the groundwork for several dominoes and answers some burning questions about the course GM Jim Rutherford and the team plan to take.
1. Rutherford Likes The Room: By re-signing Gleason, Rutherford solidified his leadership core. Both captain Eric Staal and Gleason, an alternate, are now signed through 2015-16, while Brandon Sutter — who wear the second "A" — will be a restricted free agent in 2014-15. With his three captains in the fold for the foreseeable future, Rutherford has indicated that leadership is not an issue in the Carolina dressing room.
2. Re-Signing Gleason Increases Value Elsewhere: There's no denying that trading Gleason would have brought the most return of any Carolina defenseman at the trade deadline. But by taking him off the market, Rutherford pulled one of the big names off the "available" pile and moved other names up the list. One of those names? Bryan Allen. Yes, Allen has a no-trade clause, but he is one of the bigger-named, rugged defenseman with an expiring contracts among teams that look like sellers as we enter February. By taking Gleason off the market, Allen becomes that much more coveted. The Canes won't get the return they would have gotten for Gleason, but they may have upped Allen's value a notch and kept a key player in the fold.
3. Either The Defense Is Set For The Future, Or A Big Change Is Coming: Keeping Gleason all but ensures that Allen and Jaroslav Spacek will not be back next season. Justin Faulk has two more years left on his entry-level deal, and Jay Harrison's bargain $700,000-per-year contract goes through next season. First-round pick Ryan Murphy could be ready as soon as next year, and Boston College's Brian Dumoulin will likely forgo his senior season and turn pro after this season. Jamie McBain is an RFA after this season, and Joni Pitkanen is in the first year of a three-year extension signed this offseason. So things seem set — unless Rutherford has decided that his offense-heavy D can do without Pitkanen, McBain ... or both. With Derek Joslin signed for another year and Checkers blueliner Bobby Sanguinetti playing the best hockey of his career right now, would Rutherford consider parting with Pitkanen and/or McBain if it meant getting back a top-flight winger or freeing up money to do so this summer? TSN's Darren Dreger thinks it could happen.
4. Carolina Continues To Be Family Friendly: Gleason told the N&O's Chip Alexander that if it had just been him heading into free agency, he would have had a "whatever" attitude about where he landed. But when you're deciding for four — Gleason and his wife are expecting their second child, plus he has a step-daughter — off-the-ice considerations play a big part. And for the umpteenth time, the Triangle has again proven itself as a place people want to raise their children. Former Canes Ron Francis, Rod Brind'Amour, Glen Wesley, Aaron Ward, Jesse Boulerice and others have made the Triangle home after their playing days. The Triangle doesn't have the hockey history of Montreal or the big city glamour of New York City, but it has beautiful weather, the whole beach and mountains thing, and is a great place to settle down.
5. Playoffs Are A Priority: Anyone who watches the Hurricanes knows Gleason hasn't played his best hockey the past season and a half, but the uncertainty of his future is in the rear view mirror and that should allow him to focus strictly on what happens on the ice. But this signing also indicates that Rutherford realizes what Gleason can bring come the postseason. Giving Gleason $4 million a year indicates, to me, that Rutherford is planning not just to make the playoffs, but succeed there — even if it means spending a little extra to keep a player he knows can rise to the occasion.
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Now with Tim locked up for the next 4 years, I hope we can see the (in your face) style hockey we know Tim can play.
by skinnerthewinner on Jan 31, 2012 10:46 AM EST reply actions
I really hope Pitkanen isn’t moved. We haven’t seen a lot of him due to injruy but he is still our minute munching workhorse and looked much better defensively this year before his injury. I think we are a much better team with him in the lineup.
Wouldn’t be hurt to see McBain traded if it brought in value on the front end. We need a significant upgrade to our currentminute defense anyway, somebody has to lose their spot with at least one of Murphy/Dumoulin/Sanguinetti sure to stick next year.
by JussiJuice on Jan 31, 2012 10:50 AM EST via mobile reply actions
I agree with the was the team is playing now Joni would be a plus to say the least ,and i also think that a Dman like McBain will the stockpile of young Dmen could be moved ,and would have interest with his age and offensive game ,and or Dwyer will be moved to make room for Bowman permanently as he has proved he belongs here ,and is the best forward in Charlotte ,and there will alot of new faces there next year ,so the decision on RFA’s like Boychuk will be made soon.
I said in a post elsewhere that Pitkanen is a valuable piece for the blueline going forward. I just do not see any of our current D being able to provide the skating, puck handling and offense interruption skills that he has demonstrated time and time again AND skate as many minutes as he does. If he booms away more we may be pleasantly surprised. The guy is a machine…….I am not even sure I have seen him breath hard. He gave a discount to stay. JR knows he cannot get what Pits gives with the contract he has. Glad to have him and yes everyone makes mistakes but he recovers faster than anyone I have seen….so many of his mistakes do no harm.
Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.
Sun Tzu circa 4th Century BC
by hurricanefever on Jan 31, 2012 11:41 AM EST reply actions
if we can hold on to
gleason, pitkanen, faulk, mcbain, murphy, and allen, we cold have one of the best D corps in the league in the next three-4 years when everyone comes into their own.
allen, gleason pitkanen bring the exp, and the three young guys (plus sanguinetti) are filled with so much potential
(i said COULD)
but so much potential there….who knows?
"a bit of love"
Faulk is a #1-2 two-way D. Pitkanen is a #2 or #3 two-way D. Murphy has top-4 potential as a PP specialist and pure offensive D. Gleason and Allen are pretty much equal as #4 or #5 reliable shutdown D. McBain seems destined for an offensive role (too weak in his own end) PP specialist, #6, or #7 D.
To even compete for a top-5 D in the NHL we need a true #1 pure shutdown guy. Our best shot is likely Ryan Murray or Jacob Trouba in the upcoming Draft.
Would be quite nice to pick up enough assets to work our way into Drafting one of Galchenyuk/Forsberg/Collberg as well as Trouba/Murray.
Going to be a few more years but that is what it takes when the budget is relying on PK’s dream of thousands of STH magically signing up to see a sub-par NHL team.
by JussiJuice on Jan 31, 2012 12:26 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
6. JR doesn't see the need to substantially improve the team
If he did, he would’ve pulled the trigger on a major move using someone like Gleason. The fact that he didn’t seems to indicate that he’s happy with the players he has and thinks they can contend for a playoff spot next year.
Sound familiar?
"I need to make sure I don't get too frustrated and stay focused on my game...The points and the offense, you have to believe, are going to come." - Eric Staal, 11/6/2011
The deadline has not arrived yet…….nor has the off-season free agent market……what’s your rush?
Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.
Sun Tzu circa 4th Century BC
by hurricanefever on Jan 31, 2012 12:17 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
teams needing players for playoffs are ready to jump at deals, and we're not dealing
"I need to make sure I don't get too frustrated and stay focused on my game...The points and the offense, you have to believe, are going to come." - Eric Staal, 11/6/2011
by Capt. Stinky on Jan 31, 2012 12:19 PM EST up reply actions
Your are right as of right this second. But you linked this lack of trade (no one has really traded yet) with making the playoffs for next year. What I am suggesting is there are 3 major dates left, deadline, draft and free agency after July 1. Plenty of time left to do things to “contend for a playoff spot” so again, what is the rush with this activity with Gleason?
Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.
Sun Tzu circa 4th Century BC
by hurricanefever on Jan 31, 2012 12:25 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
JR just quoted as saying our July 1 purchases will heavily depend on Season Ticket sales (first thing he mentioned).
I can’t see too many signing up to see the Canes as is, chicken and egg. Canes best bet to draw more STH at this point is literally tank and market fans to come see Nail Yakupov as the most exciting new player in the NHL in a Canes uniform. That would actually draw some fans.
Might even give JR some extra budget come July 1 to spend another couple million.
by JussiJuice on Jan 31, 2012 12:31 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I would argue that the average fan wouldn’t know Yakupov from Yakov Smirnoff. In the end, people want a contender here. The good news is the die-hard fan base grows more by the year. There will come a time when more fans will be aware of and care what happens with the draft.
by Cory Lavalette on Jan 31, 2012 12:38 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Shove him down peoples throats! Call him the next Crosby or Ovechkin (plenty of others have). Say he will lead the team to the Cup and have a better Rookie year than Skinner.
I think it could work. Kid has a sick highlight reel, throw that up on a commercial. I remember as a kid loving the “Upgrade In-Staaled” jumbotron video before the games. Worked then on me, can only imagine it would work again on the next generation.
by JussiJuice on Jan 31, 2012 12:49 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I agree with Cory. The die-hard fans will b*tch about the moves that are made & not made; but for the most part, they will still spend the money to go see the games. The fans this organization needs to grow are the average fans that will pay to see a winner. If the team wins, then people will want to see that and hopefully will fall in love with the game and so on. I would say that 40% to 50% of the fans at the RBC couldn’t tell me what “Fail for Nail” is even about.
JR; please dump some players and bring the kids up to stay!
by PackPride17 on Jan 31, 2012 12:59 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Call him the Cam Newton of Hockey for all I care. Most everyone understands what a Draft is and bringing in the best young player in recent history should create a buzz.
by JussiJuice on Jan 31, 2012 1:10 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
But again the average or casual fan doesn’t know Yakupov and really doesn’t care. They are not going to buy tickets to watch him play until he does something amazing that gets him in the local news or the team starts winning games.
You are much more informed about hockey than 80+% of the residents down here. You get the “buzz” that a player like that can bring to the team, but to the average NC resident; it doesn’t mean a d*mn thing. And seeing advertisements for him potentially coming to Raleigh wouldn’t mean a whole lot to them.
JR; please dump some players and bring the kids up to stay!
You guys are talking like “hockey snobs.” The average fan comes from Detroit (myself), Windor Canada (my buddy and his wife), Buffalo (have you seen them at the games), Boston (have you seen them at the games), Pittsburgh (have you seen them at the games), etc. The average fan isn’t just some hick from Jasperville.
by FoxtrotSierra on Jan 31, 2012 2:21 PM EST up reply actions
Go out on the street and ask 5 random people to name 10 current Hurricane players. I think you would probably get 1 person to do so. That doesn’t mean they are hicks; just saying hockey is not the same down here as it is up north. I talk to many people at the games that really don’t know the team that well outside of the star players & fan favorites. That’s nothing against them, they probably have plenty of other things that are more important to them.
My whole point behind this is; the casual fan is who the organization needs to market to, to turn them from the casual fan into the “die-hard” fan that dishes out money for season tickets. Nail Yukapov does not really register to many, if any, of these casual fans. So he is not going to sell tickets until he either does something spectacular in a NHL game or the helps this team start winning, probably moreso the winning part.
JR; please dump some players and bring the kids up to stay!
by PackPride17 on Jan 31, 2012 4:02 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
These are good points and valid…..but you can also go and ask 5 random people to name 10 current Panther’s team members or 3 of the 5 starting members of the UNC basketball team or 3 of the 5 starting members of the Duke basketball team you might get the same result. There are folks who have other pursuits and the random nature of a poll just might catch them.
Pro level or college level sports need that core of die-hard fans and that needs to grow larger. They also need that larger casual fan because in winning times that casual fan becomes a die-hard fan as you point out. It is winning and winning often that does it I think. We have done that sporadically in the past. The winning curves have been few and far between and that needs to be smoothed out with more good than bad seasons. Not there yet, but the hockey club has committed to these local investors, that is encouraging. We actually got some new investors. We could be Phoenix who are still looking.
Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.
Sun Tzu circa 4th Century BC
by hurricanefever on Jan 31, 2012 4:19 PM EST up reply actions
Absolutely.
To the fringy market that makes up a lot of our ticket- and merchandise-buying base when things are going good, they want one thing: wins.
Personal attacks are the weapon of the ignorant.
Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!
by MichaelProcton on Jan 31, 2012 1:25 PM EST up reply actions
Add that quote to what Chip wrote yesterday…..I have pasted the main paragraph below. I also remember but could not find that this was directly related to increases in revenue from new TV and radio contracts……….
Things, as in trades. There have been rumblings the Canes will begin this week to move pending unrestricted free agents with an eye toward a team makeover for next season. There also have been rumblings the Canes have decided to loosen the purse strings in the offseason and be in the bidding for some top-dollar free agents such as a Zach Parise.
So if tickets sale are at an appropriate level then does that mean that JR has two pots to draw down from??? (no corny jokes please)
Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.
Sun Tzu circa 4th Century BC
by hurricanefever on Jan 31, 2012 12:48 PM EST up reply actions
JR told me that the new local TV deal is the most significant increase in revenue they will see (less so from the new Canadian tv deal). I doubt STH will increase with the season they are having unless they are banking on high profile Draftees or FA creating enough buzz to draw them.
Parise is really the only high profile FA available that could signficantly help the Canes and everybody wants him. $7-8+ million per easily and he has been quoted as wanting to go to a true Cup contender many times.
by JussiJuice on Jan 31, 2012 12:57 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I doubt they’d spend anywhere in that range given that they need to give Skinner an extension after next season.
by Cory Lavalette on Jan 31, 2012 1:18 PM EST up reply actions
We aren’t going to get Yakupov who will likely go first to Columbus and in my opinion that is not necessarily a bad thing. Grigorenko or Forsberg may acutally be the better fit for us and may end up being the better long term professional NHL player.
Lottery can change things on a whim. Columbus may take Grigorenko for the same reasons you think he is a better fit for us. Memorial Cup can change opinions and Columbus may have had their fill of 1 dimensional Russian wingers (Filatov and Zherdev).
by JussiJuice on Jan 31, 2012 1:32 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
They’ve prolly had their fill of top-10 picks, since they’re batting about .200 in picking that high.
by Cory Lavalette on Jan 31, 2012 1:35 PM EST up reply actions
Yakupov will skip the top prospects game tom. night even though he has returned to the lineup for Sarnia ,and imo this will hurt his draft stock ,as every scout in the NHL were waiting to see him up vs the other best prospects ,and we all know JR does not like taking Russian players ,so I’m thinking Forsberg is where he’ll go if he’s available Two player’s i think are on the rise are Toffoli ,and Pearson. The skill competition is tonight ,and the game tom. at 10pm est (NHL network)….The breakaway challenge should be a very good watch check it out.
Over the years we’ve seen too many flashy smallish Russian forwards flameout. Sorry but I wouldn’t pick him if the next guy available were Forsberg. Even OV has not proven he can take a team all the way. A Malkin type player in Grigorenko may be a better fit but of the top 3 or 4 Forsberg intrigues me the most in what he brings.
Just cuz you want to dance doesn’t mean you say yes to the first one that asks…there is a method to his madness and I wouldn’t say teams ate itching to deal…aside from Camalerri(sp?) for Bourque trade there haven’t been any significant trades…They’re always coming closer to the deadline
by Caniac Kid on Jan 31, 2012 12:27 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions 1 recs
They may be ready to jump at deals but likely not involving key roster guys they need to go deep into the playoffs. So what we get is draft picks and/or prospects. None of those is a sure thing. With Gleason we know we get and at $4mil that is about the going rate for 2nd pairing guy.
Still lots of time left to move others, then there is the draft and then there is free agent season. My guess is we will get a forward in the draft who has the potential to play right away. Given prospects already in the system, several of whom have proven they can play at this level, that leaves JR with two key signings….. a quality shut down D; and a top 6 forward with some size and finishing ability. All doable.
Which top-6 forward and quality shutdown D UFAs would you target? I assume you mean Forsberg or Grigorenko as NHL ready forwards. I wouldn’t be upset with Galchenyuk although he most certainly wont be ready after missing a full year.
by JussiJuice on Jan 31, 2012 1:38 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Forwards of interest:
PA Parenteau, Grabovski, Hemsky, Gaustad, Parise(likely out of our reach but would change the direction of this team), Jiri Hudler, Whitney(on a one year deal)….. and maybe take a flyer in Dustin Penner to see if he can get his career back.
D of interest:
Matt Carle, Rosival, Suter(likely too rich for us but man that would be a deal changer), Brad Stuart, Kuba, Oduya, Stoner, Huskins(hurt with St. Louis and out for the year but was playing very well before that).
Not all of these are top pairing D or top 6 forwards but they are players of interest to look at
Interesting. I like Grabovski and Hudler. Add in one of Oduya, Stoner, or Stuart and trade away McBain to make room for one of Murphy or Dumoulin and we might have something. In addition to a top 5 Draft pick, of course.
by JussiJuice on Jan 31, 2012 3:16 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Again, do you really think you're more familiar with the goings-on of NHL front offices than Rutherford?
Personal attacks are the weapon of the ignorant.
Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!
by MichaelProcton on Jan 31, 2012 1:24 PM EST up reply actions
CS...
That’s why it’s a reply to his comment.
Personal attacks are the weapon of the ignorant.
Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!
by MichaelProcton on Jan 31, 2012 1:27 PM EST up reply actions
sorry, i must've missed a trade or deal or something from JR
‘cause all I’m seeing so far is keeping what we got
"I need to make sure I don't get too frustrated and stay focused on my game...The points and the offense, you have to believe, are going to come." - Eric Staal, 11/6/2011
by Capt. Stinky on Jan 31, 2012 2:48 PM EST up reply actions
All the deals we've made so far have been solid at worst.
He dumped Kaberle’s contract without having to give up any talent, picked up something of value for Ponikarovski (a borderline third-liner), and signed Gleason to a deal that was market-value if not cheaper. Where is the problem there, exactly?
I gotta stop takin' my baths durin' Peter's shenanigans.
by MichaelProcton on Feb 1, 2012 10:19 PM EST up reply actions
And if Gleason couldn't have been used to "substantially improve the team?"
I feel like Rutherford has a better idea of what kinds of offers had been made for Gleason than you do.
Personal attacks are the weapon of the ignorant.
Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!
by MichaelProcton on Jan 31, 2012 1:23 PM EST up reply actions
all i know is our defense is the same, as is our forward lineup, at a time when gleason could have been moved
"I need to make sure I don't get too frustrated and stay focused on my game...The points and the offense, you have to believe, are going to come." - Eric Staal, 11/6/2011
by Capt. Stinky on Jan 31, 2012 2:48 PM EST up reply actions
Ah……now I see…..you do not like it that Gleason was re-signed so that is why you a complaining that deals should have been made by now. Why didn’t you say so in the first place……….
OK, I disagree with you. Gleason is a good signing.
Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.
Sun Tzu circa 4th Century BC
by hurricanefever on Jan 31, 2012 2:51 PM EST up reply actions
You’re right. We should have traded Gleason for yet another prospect, and then signed one of the multitudes of defensemen available this summer.
Oh wait, there aren’t any.
by hurricane9 on Jan 31, 2012 2:54 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
JR needing to add a top 6 forward makes his dealing Ruutu still possible ,but what’s been rumored is a high price for him as JR would have to pay just as much for another forward to replace Ruutu plus another top 6 which the team needs now with Ruutu here ,so ii wouldn’t surprise me that he resigns Ruutu like Gleason unless another GM gives him what he wants as a rental. Which in Gleason case the offer’s were not good enough and he took him off the market
honestly...
If it came to Pitkanen and McBain, McBain will be gone. This season, I’ve seen him make too many mistakes to be a value over Pitkanen, even though Joni hasn’t played in a while (you can’t fault him for getting injured – b/c it at least let him take care of other necessary surgery so he’ll be in tip-tip shape next season). Plus when Joni was playing this year, he was playing awesome IMHO – and my parents, who aren’t big fans of Joni – were praising him at the start of the season for his play. And my parents are long time STH’s and see the game at a better view than I do at home.
Ready for the Canes to win the Cup again! :)
However........
McBain is much cheaper than Joni and would not bring as much in a trade. Joni could bring back a nice return (top 6 forward) in a trade. I agree McBain has made some mistakes but he is also only 23 and can improve whereas Joni is probably peaked.
In Kirk we Trust
Pits coming off surgery, concussion likely to scare some folks off, no?
"I need to make sure I don't get too frustrated and stay focused on my game...The points and the offense, you have to believe, are going to come." - Eric Staal, 11/6/2011
by Capt. Stinky on Jan 31, 2012 2:49 PM EST up reply actions
Joni
Is the least likelyplayer to be moved this year ,and with a concussion history his value as trade bait has taken a dip even in the future.
Hey Cory & friends
I have to smile as and on a perfect day…what many of us have thus far would be ideal in many ways…but as it is ..Joni being on LTOR for know…any talk of or about him as a package would be silly…so for trade purposes…aside from Mcbain & Allen that have a good current hisotry at the NHL level…on paper the Canes ( at least to this fan) doesn’t look over all the canes aside from trying to ship off Ruutu as a rental and hope he’s willing to resign AFTER the end of the 2011-2012 season…but like others who lurk and don’t say much openly…I’ll sit back and wait until JR has a brainfart ( Gawd i hope not as kabs was bad enough) or a flash of “brilliance” and hoping and praying to the hockey gods for a flash of "brilliance’ like and when we got Skinner & then Faulk…Cory..great effort and you told the truth…and are on target…thanks folks..got to go and finish here and laundry so i can be ready for tonights game…
9/11/01 - Never Forget !!
Long Live #63 The Condor
Go Canes & Checkers !!!
Confusing Situation
Long time no comment. Have been ridiculously busy.
I’ve been following the Canes as much as possible, attending a couple of games and seeing a few more on TV. I’m really confused about where the team stands and where it’s going. There’s a lot I like – starting with Kirk Muller’s giving prospects big minutes – and a lot that worries me – starting with none of the forward prospects breaking through as an NHL player. Muller did his part and the prospects didn’t.
It’s fascinating to hear JR say that Nash and Bowman are ahead of Dalpe and Boychuk. I like Nash and Bowman but the message I get from JR’s comment is that the current crop of Canes’ top forward prospects will be role-players at best in the NHL. That is extremely disappointing.
I also get the sense that the Canes are going to make their usual closing run and end up without a playoff spot or a high enough draft pick to make a difference.
That means big improvement next year has to come from trades and free agency. JR isn’t exactly clear about whether the Canes will spend enough to improve the team. Given the way the rest of the situation looks, that’s worrisome. I will be amazed if the Canes sign a real first-line forward – I just don’t think they’ll spend the money. With none of the forward prospects looking up to that role and doubt about drafting really high, what would it take for the Canes to improve significantly next season?
I don’t think Rask is going to come to the rescue. I don’t think Murphy and Dumoulin are going to make the Canes’ D instantly top notch, although they will help a lot over time.
I’m left hoping JR can pull off a blockbuster trade that fills the holes that the draft and prospect pool won’t. That’s the only quick path I can see to having the Canes make a solid move up the standings – and that is contingent on the Canes’ willingness to take on the contracts coming their way and on somebody else viewing the Canes’ assets as valuable enough to give up some real talent. I’ve got doubts that all that will fall into place. Also, I can’t envision specific trades so that’s a frustrating state of affairs.
Have I become too pessimistic because of disappointment about how little the Canes’ forward prospects have contributed to date? Please tell me I have.
FWIW, I agree that if the Canes could get their hands on a top forward in this year’s draft and promote that player along with Skinner and Staal and Ryan Murphy, ticket sales would pick up. The Canes will get more fans when they get more stars, especially offensive stars who are fun to watch. Skinner and Murphy are the two players who generate excitement on their own. Staal obviously needs a complementary player that the Canes haven’t been able to provide, but if the draft provided such a player, it would be like a double boost of adrenalin. I don’t think grinding out just enough close wins to make the playoffs, with Skinner and Staal struggling nightly to provide enough scoring against defenses focused on them, will ever get ticket sales to the level JR and PK seem to want before spending more on payroll.
One more observation: I was shocked how much faster the Jets looked than the Canes. I don’t remember things looking that way a year or two ago.
by curiouscanesfan on Jan 31, 2012 5:07 PM EST reply actions
To look at the prospects as a whole the Checkers always seem to have contending teams year after year as the case with the OHL Whalers that PK owns ,so we fans just get to impatient with young players becoming NHL players (Radim Vrbata is an example) to fast Imo top to bottom our prospects are as good or better than most ,and remember the Checkers aren’t stocked with 27 yr old and up players either ,and are one of the top teams ,but i’ll guarantee one thing Ryan Murphy will be a special player sooner than later.
Radim Vrbata is an awful example.
You shouldn’t need to to wait (and pay) for ten years of “development” before a player becomes an impact player at the NHL level.
I gotta stop takin' my baths durin' Peter's shenanigans.
by MichaelProcton on Feb 1, 2012 10:22 PM EST up reply actions
Hmm compare Vrbata to LaRose?.. Vrbata is 1 yr older ,and LaRose is still on the roster…Not close Vrbata has more goals than LaRose has points 148g (Vrbata) vs 143 pts (LaRose) tell me which player in “development” as a player has been better? Vrbata has 323pts…LaRose 144pts “if” Vrbata is an “awful” example then LaRose is….?
By the time we dumped Vrbata...
He was in his fifth NHL season at age 24, and was getting paid like it. At 24, LaRose was in his first full year and second overall. Further, Vrbata cost the team a roster-caliber player in Battaglia, while LaRose was signed for virtually nothing as a UFA. The two aren’t comprable.
I gotta stop takin' my baths durin' Peter's shenanigans.
by MichaelProcton on Feb 2, 2012 2:00 PM EST up reply actions
We weren't given that choice.
Further, Vrbata is being paid nearly double what LaRose is, and will continue to be through the end of 2014. The two aren’t comparable.
I gotta stop takin' my baths durin' Peter's shenanigans.
by MichaelProcton on Feb 2, 2012 10:05 PM EST up reply actions
Value per point
Not close Vrbata has more goals than LaRose has points 148g (Vrbata) vs 143 pts (LaRose)…What’s to know here? ,and Vrbata has more than DOUBLE the points! 323 vs 144 lol…Your not gonna ever win this argument on here with LaRose…My god give it a rest.
He's been in the leage nearly TWICE AS LONG.
I gotta stop takin' my baths durin' Peter's shenanigans.
by MichaelProcton on Feb 3, 2012 1:10 PM EST up reply actions
LaRose can't throw the puck in the ocean
He has yet to top 31pts!…Vrbata has been in the NHL longer because he’s a better player that developed faster ,and only makes $1.1m more ,and has twice the points this year(40 vs 21 ,so dollar for point Vrbata is well above Rosey ,and only 1yr older…If Maloney want’s to swap Vrbata for Rosey that’s done fast!
And are you going to foot the bill for those seven figures?
I gotta stop takin' my baths durin' Peter's shenanigans.
by MichaelProcton on Feb 4, 2012 1:42 PM EST up reply actions
Don't ask me ask JR
Given the choice of Vrbata or LaRose…Vrbata…even for $3m $1.1m is worth it for a 40-50 pt scorer that can play in the top 9 effectively.
The money doesn't exist.
I gotta stop takin' my baths durin' Peter's shenanigans.
by MichaelProcton on Feb 4, 2012 3:38 PM EST up reply actions
How do you know?
Next year’s team isn’t even configured yet ,and with a few of young players on defense the team instead of Jaro/Allen an extra $1.1m could easily be there ,and not for Vrbata ,but a player in the 40-50pt range.
You can't sign a player who is under contract with another team as Vrbata is.
I gotta stop takin' my baths durin' Peter's shenanigans.
by MichaelProcton on Feb 4, 2012 6:32 PM EST up reply actions
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