As was the case seven years ago, the NHL owners and players are very far apart heading into the final months of labor negotiations prior to the scheduled open of the 2012-2013 season. If there aren’t some serious compromises by both sides, it’s unlikely that the season will start on time.
While that’s an unpleasant thought for Rangers fans, it also might be a good thing for the team’s fortunes next season, assuming it is held in a shortened fashion.
If there is one argument that pops up daily on social media this summer, it is that people still can’t figure out how to value hockey players who put up points, yet lack the necessary team qualities such as “intangibles.”
It seems as though half the blogosphere wants to sign the Radulov’s and Semin’s of the world for all the wrong reasons, yet the other half can’t see past their own personal bias or perhaps prejudice against Russian hockey players. Somewhere between those who value hard-nosed hockey and those who value advanced stats is a middle ground. That is where I try to float.
Perhaps no player causes more divisive offseason chatter than Alexander Semin.
In part 1 of our NHL free agency recap we discussed some of the “bigger names” and pricier contracts that have been handed out this summer. Today we will shift gears and focus more on the contracts that have been given out to role players.
Sheldon Souray (D) to the Anaheim Ducks for 3 years, $3.6 million cap hit
This contract is great for Souray, who can now be closer to his girlfriend WWE star Kelly Kelly, who is apparently based out of So Cal when she’s not strutting it in the ring. As far as Anaheim is concerned, I am not sure what they were thinking with this deal. Souray is 35 years old and put up 20 pts last season for Dallas after being Wade Redden’d in the minors for two years.
I will give him credit. Sheldon took his demotion like a man instead of throwing his skates in the Hudson River. However, from an organizational perspective, the years and the dollars just don’t make sense. Sheldon is coming off a 1 year $1.6m deal with Dallas, which is what I figured he would be getting paid at his age and current output.
Last offseason, Coyotes GM Don Maloney prognosticated that some GM’s may “go berserk” at free agency and “the people who have money may just blow their brains out.” Maloney wasn’t too far off in that regard. With the exception of the Parise/Suter signings, this year’s free agency hasn’t been as crazy. Though, several high priced talent (i.e. Semin, Doan, Selanne) remain unsigned.
Anyway, we are going to break this analysis into two posts. Today’s post will focus on some of the “bigger names” and pricier contracts that have been handed out, while tomorrow’s post will focus more on the role players.
Zach Parise (F) to the Minnesota Wild for 13 years, $7.539 million cap hit
Parise will likely never play out this contract, so the term is irrelevant to me, but $7.5 million could be a significant cap dent if the new CBA ushers in a lower cap ceiling. All Wild fans can hope for now is that Parise meshes with Mikko Koivu, who is signed for another six years ($6.750m cap hit) and also sports a no-movement clause.
Ryan Suter (D) to the Minnesota Wild for 13 years, $7.539 million
When do you think the Nash situation will have resolved itself?
If I am CBJ ownership, I want this resolved this weekend. Every team in the NHL has or will start rolling out their ticket plans and marketing for next season. We are all in the business of selling hope and you can’t sell hope to your fans and your sponsors when your roster is in flux. At some point Howson’s boss(es) are going to lose patience and tell him to just get it done.
Nash only has a handful of teams he’s willing to be traded to, so there’s only so many offers CBJ can even be considering. If that org has any clue, they will get a deal done soon and begin selling October.
Which team do you think has made the best moves so far this offseason?
It’s hard to judge which moves will work out and which moves will get people fired before the puck has dropped, but I like what Dallas has done on paper at least. They’ve recently added Jaromir Jagr (54 pts), Ray Whitney (77 pts), and Derek Roy (45 pts) to a core of young stars like Loui Eriksson, Jamie Benn, & Alex Goligoski.
These veterans should fit in nicely with their young guys who play more of an East/West, overload-type system. Plus they added stay-at-home bruiser Aaron Rome on the cheap (3 years at $1.5m per). I know some members of the media were scratching their heads at the trades of long-time Stars Mike Ribeiro and Steve Ott, but Derek Roy (who they got for Ott) is a younger version of Ribs, plus they probably would have lost him to free agency next summer anyway.
It’s good to see the Stars open the checkbook a bit this summer now that their ownership situation is settled. Dallas is a very important media market to the NHL and their success is vital to the overall financial health of the league.
Do you think the Rangers should sign Doan, or his he too old? Do you think he stays in Phoenix?
Entering the first day of free agency it was widely thought that the Rangers would seek to upgrade their offense and add a depth defender.
Instead, the Blueshirts added grit on July 1st while watching several of their own free agents depart for greener pastures.
Here’s what went down on Sunday.
Well, the day has arrived. It is July 1, and the Rangers are currently at $50.4 million in payroll with 16 (17 if you include Michael Del Zotto) players under contract. The Rangers need at least one scorer, depth on defense (right-handed shot), and fourth line depth among the forwards. There are plenty of UFA names out there, with the biggest being Zach Parise and Ryan Suter, but there are others like Shane Doan that might fit into the Rangers plans. Don’t forget to check out our free agency round table below to get all of our thoughts.
As the UFA names begin to drop, the trade market will also likely open up as well. The Rangers are rumored to be in on talks for Bobby Ryan and Rick Nash, but a deal will only be made if the asking price drops. Keith Yandle is also an attractive piece that is available.
Follow us after the jump for up-to-date signings and contracts for every move made today. Moves the Rangers make will be in bold.
***UPDATE: Schultz agreed to terms with Edmonton.
In the end, the Wisconsin connection just wasn’t enough.
New York made it to the final six in the Justin Schultz sweepstakes, but in the end the 21-year-old Badgers defenseman chose to play elsewhere. TSN’s Bob McKenzie reports that Schultz won’t be joining the Rangers, meaning he’ll end up with Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver, or Edmonton.
We’ve already covered some of the more intriguing players that will be available via free agency, but it doesn’t appear likely that the big-ticket guys like Zach Parise and Ryan Suter will end up in New York. The 2012 free agent class is extremely thin, but at the draft last weekend GM Glen Sather confidently stated the team would still be “fairly aggressive” in free agency. So who else could the organization pursue on July 1st?
Today we’ll look at the forwards.
The Dinosaurs
Ray Whitney – Scares many off because of his age (40), but he actually seems to be getting more productive somehow. Wants to be paid, but doesn’t require a long-term commitment. Might make a lot of sense on a one- or two-year deal.
We’ve already covered some of the more intriguing players that will be available via free agency, but it doesn’t appear likely that the big-ticket guys like Zach Parise and Ryan Suter will end up in New York. The 2012 free agent class is extremely thin, but at the draft last weekend GM Glen Sather confidently stated the team would still be “fairly aggressive” in free agency. So who else could the organization pursue on July 1st?
Yesterday we looked at the forwards; today we’ll examine the defensemen.
The Offensive Defensemen
Jason Garrison – Earned himself a huge payday with a surprise season. Rocket of a shot could appeal to the Rangers. Is this what Sather means when he says he’ll be “aggressive” in free agency?
