Marc Staal’s (eventual) New Deal
As the ‘summer’ continues to roll by (with rain by the bucket load here in the UK) and Marc Staal remains unsigned many people are wondering why. One thing that has come to my mind is whether the Kovalchuk saga affects a new Staal deal. While being the Rangers best defenceman Staal is not yet at or near the top of his class like Kovalchuk is so wont command the same kind of commitment from the Rangers but there is a chance that with the new scrutiny the league appears to be showing that Sather will find it difficult to be creative when it comes to the contract (assuming they even agree numbers).
While The Rangers will never need to front load deals to the extent of other clubs looking for ways around actual salary, Sather and co. may have been looking for a way to stretch the deal out and ease the cap burden on the club. Will they be able to find a way considering the leagues new stance on deals?
Would Sather even be willing to lock up Staal for a decade or longer while the hugely talented shutdown defenceman is still in his developmental years? Kovalchuk probably wont affect Staal’s deal but the fact this ‘contract’ has happened means there’s more food for thought every time a player is locked up long term. What would the league say if tomorrow The Rangers announced that Staal was locked up for 11 years and 44m? It will be interesting to see what Staal’s deal looks like when (not if – calm down folks) it’s announced.
By Dave, July 22, 2010 @ 8:48 am
11 years $55 mil is more like it. That would only keep Staal signed until he’s 34, so I don’t think the league would have an issue.
In fact, Staal could probably get away with signing a 17 year deal, it would expire when he’s 40.
jurgenno88 Reply:
July 22nd, 2010 at 8:53 am
agreed. I was just pointing out the fact I think this whole nonsense may influence new deals.
I actually would be against locking up any player beyond 7 or 8 years. Too much security isnt a good thing.
By Dave, July 22, 2010 @ 9:01 am
I think Sather has avoided those deals because he knows there will be several (3) CBA negotiations during these long term deals. You don’t want to have a contract like that affected by the new CBA, when it happens.
Bettman's Nightmare Reply:
July 22nd, 2010 at 10:56 am
Agreed completely. I think he’s learned that making bad signings will hurt you, but making 10-15 year deals will get him shot.
P.S. Says I before the 15 year Staal deal.
Dave Reply:
July 22nd, 2010 at 2:10 pm
I don’t think many would be upset with a 15 year deal for Staal. It would keep one of the best shutdown guys in the league wrapped up until he’s 38. Dollar amount matters, of course.
By Mikeyyy, July 22, 2010 @ 2:58 pm
I don’t think Staal is that good. Give him 4 million over 4 years and call it a day. He’s only a bit better than Girardi and has stated that he feels more comfortable playing his d-first game. I don’t want him to be a cornerstone of the offense if he shys away from shooting the puck and setting people up. He needs to push the envelope and to me he’s not a player willing to do that. Save that big money for DelZotto, he’s the future of the franchise, not Marc Staal.