Like fellow RFAs Tyler Ennis, Jamie Benn, Evander Kane, PK Subban, Michael Del Zotto, John Carlson, Dmitry Kulikov, Ryan O'Reilly sits patiently waiiting for his I-phone to ring.
As we sit here today on August 18, this year's prized RFA crop resembles a delicious clump of fresh, juicy grapes on the vine. The arrid Summer temps, combined with low precipitation raises caution flags: the fruit must be harvested in a timely manner before its rots on the vine. Imagine the exquisite vintage wines that one could craft with these unique restricted free agent "grapes". Vintage juices, to be certain. One wonders why NHL "farmers" are allowing their high-quality fruit to atrophy in the Summer sun.
Call me maybe?
Maybe not?
You have to maximize your crops or you will lose them.
If you would have told me two months ago that Ennis, O'Reilly, Kane, Subban, and the rest of the RFA class of 2012 would be hanging at the gym, the local rinks and at the cottage without a new contract in hand, I'd have told you to take it down the road and dump it in the compost pile. Two key things have happened on the way to the bank. Firstly, the stupid economic alley-fight being waged between the owners and the players. The forecast calls for another lockout, the third such work stoppage on Gary Bettman's watch. Secondarily, the market is so fluid right now with the recent signings of Jeff Skinner, Max Pacioretty, and Wayne Simmonds. Three young players, each with one year remaining on their existing contracts. All locked up to high dollar, long term contracts.
Canes GM, Jim Rutherford, took a proactive step last week when he signed his star young centre Skinner to a monster six year contract extension at an average annual cap hit of $5.725 million per year.
In July, offered Kane a six year $29 million deal. Why he didn't sign it, I'll never know. Now he's looking for Skinner money. Nice player who will give the Jets 20+ snipes a season.
Montreal GM, Marc Bergevin, just inked a six year deal at an average annual cap hit of $4.5 million per season.
Earlier this week, Flyers GM Paul Holmgren locked up his stud power forward Simmonds to a six year extension with an average annual cap hit of $3.975 million.
The market is in serious flux right now. One of the pillars of the new CBA is that the owners are preaching five year contract minimums. In one breath, Bettman, Snider, Jacobs and the hawk owners are adamantly defending their position of no more six, seven, ten, twelve year deals. In essence, the owners do not want to see any more Kovalchuk, Parise, or Suter contracts in the new collective bargaining agreement. In the next breath, the owners are going back on their word and handing our six year deals like they are Halloween candies. Talk about hypocrisy. No wonder the NHL bargaining session are getting more contentious and venomous. The owners are saying one thing, and their doing another. Whats an NHL GM to do?
Take Tyler Ennis for example. The kid has been without a contract since July 1. Fine. Its just a matter of time until he signs his extension. At what dollar amount and term? I don't know. Regier is leaning two years. In light of the recent Skinner windfall, Ennis and his agent must be saying 'we want what he's having". Its well within Ennis' rights to get the best compensation package that is available to him. If it takes waiting til the Sabres bring their term and dollars up to a more acceptable level, then so be it. I'm not saying that is the case. I'm amplifying the time honoured axiom: players don't get what they deserve. They get what they negotiated for. Personally, I'd sign Ennis to a two year, $6.1 - $6.3 million deal. He'll earn his huge pay day by crushing his offensive goals and objectives in the next two seasons. The latest word that I've heard is that Ennis' agent and Darcy Regier continue to have dialogue about a new deal.
As for Ryan O'Reilly, his agent, Mark Guy, told Adrian Dater of the Denver Post that there is no new tale to tell, other than to say that the two sides are continuing to work on a new contract.
Like Ennis, O'Reilly is the last player on his team's roster to sign his contract.
Guy told Dater this weeK;
"I can't comment on the negotiations, other than to say we are still working on it and will likely speak again next week," he said. O'Reilly's breakout year and the CBA uncertainty are likely contributing to the drawn out process"
I've been thinking a lot lately about what recourse these RFAs have. what is their leverage.
What if gets to be early September and the players and owners figure out a resolution to a new CBA. What if training camps open and still Ennis, O'Reilly, Benn, Subban, Del Zotto, Carlson, and Kulikov decide that they have had enough of the waiting game and they want to hold-out until they get their owners pay them the compensation that they feel that they are worthy of? This RFA class is unique in that each player players a vital role in the succes and failure of each of his teams. Buffalo is starved for offense and Ennis certainly can be a fire starter in that regard. O'Reilly led the Avalanche in scoring last season and he's one of the top three, two-way centres in the NHL as we speak. Benn is a sniper and his goal production would absolutely improve Dallas' chances of winning games. Subban is a one man break-out who can take over games at will and we haven't even seen his best work yet. Del Zotto is atop four D who eats more rubber than than Watkins Glen. Carlson is a top two D in Washington. Kulivov is a scoring threat every time he is on the ice.
What if these players turn to their agents and demand that they seek out a trade to another team? GMs would be willing to pay king's ransoms in order to get their mitts on players as electrifying and reliable as Ennis, O'Reilly, Benn, Kane, Subban, Del Zotto, Carlson, and Kulikov. what if the player agent says to the GM: Sign my client or trade him to a team who sees his true value.
Its a game of "chicken" right now. Who blinks first?
There's no question that each of the aforementioned RFAs add true value to each respective team. Were I an NHL owner or GM, I'd be signing these players straight away in an effort to quell any feelings of negativity that may have been formed between the player and his team. I'd be looking to create good will. Not grudges and animosity.
Lord knows, there's enough grudges between owners and players in the NHL right now. Do we need more?
It started in late June, and its still alive today. There's still talk out of Dallas, Tejas that Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk is not quite done with the tweaking of his lineup. Its only a matter of time until Benn re-signs his long term extension. I'm hearing that the Stars will be signing Benn to a deal similar to that of the one that the Flyers signed Wayne Simmonds to earlier this week (6 years / $23 million). In the meantime, Morrow trade rumours continue to reverberate out of Derek Roy's new postal code.
Since late June, I've heard more than one rumour about Brenden Morrow and the Buffalo Sabres. Morrow may be on the trade block. Look what happened to Mike Ribiero and Steve Ott. Rumours were the prelude to two advantageous hockey trades masterminded by Nieuwendyk.
Might Morrow be on his way outta Big D? If so, might he be Buffalo bound to re-join his former team mate, Steve Ott?
The winds of change are blowing stiffly through Dallas. The team is getting younger (save the additions of senior citizens Jagr and Whitney) with more reliance on its homegrown talent like , Philip Larsen and Cody Eakin. At the same time, the team has added two expensive 40 year olds through free agency in the past eleven days. Nieuwendyk's goal is to improve his team's overall skill level. One concludes that If vets like Ribeiro and Ott were sent out, ANY player can be sent out. Hell, if wayne Gretzky can be traded....
Are there any sacred cows in Dallas right now?
In July, Nieuwendyk spoke with Mike Heika of the Dallas News. The GM said then that he and his captain, Morrow, had a heart to heart to discuss the veteran's future in Big D.
“We had a good talk the other day, and I told him I very much believe there’s a place for him on this team,” Nieuwendyk said while vacationing in upstate New York. “I told him I fully expect him to be out there on the power play in front of the net where he’s always been.”
Stars are now committed to building their team around young guns Jamie Benn and Loui Ericksson. Michael Ryder, and now recent imports of Derek Roy, Jaromir Jagr, and Ray Whitney make it appear like the graffiti is on the wall that Morrow will be playing on the third line in Dallas this season.
Morrow, who played only 57 games (11 goals, 15 assists, 97 PIMs) last season due to injuries, is a $4.1 million cap hit this season. he becomes UFA July 1, 2013.
He's a the perfect blend of skill who is Hell bent on inflicting mental and physical pain on his opponents.
Nieuwendyk seems to be hard selling a third line role to a proud veteran contributor who happens to be his team's captain. Doesn't mean that Morrow has to accept less minutes and a reduced role on the third or fourth line. He feels like he's healthy and ready to resume his truculent ways.
Heika:
Physically, Morrow has some issues. He has been bothered by shoulder and neck pain, and surgery does not appear to be an option (a couple of doctors have told him the recovery from any kind of fusion surgery would be long and could jeopardize his career). Thus, he has to strengthen his core, improve spine flexibility with stretching and inversion therapy, and hope that a few well-spaced shots can help him deal with pain during the season. He is confident all of that can work, and said he feels great this summer.
Poll 100 NHL coaches, GMs, scouts, and talent evaluators. I'm willing to bet you that the majority of them (70-75%) would not have a negative thing to say about Morrow, injuries or not.
The guy is a grizzled, savvy warrior. He's not leaving til he's heaving.
“There’s nothing written in stone, so I’m not saying he would play there, but I also think that he could play a very important part of our team in a role like that,” Nieuwendyk said. “He would bring a lot of the grit that we need there, and I still think would play in a role that would allow him to score some goals. It would also allow him to maybe stay fresher.”
Heika spoke with Morrow about Nieuwendyk's plans for the immediate future. Morrow didn't pull any punches:
“You asked me: Do I want to be a Dallas Star, and the answer is definitely yes,” Morrow said. “If they want to trade me or they indicate to me that they don’t want me, then obviously I don’t want to be there or stand in their way. But, until they say that they want to trade me or ask me to waive my no-trade clause, then I’m excited to be on the team and I’m ready to get going next season.”
I promise you this:
Once the Shane Doan soap opera ends, I can all but guarantee you that Nieuwendyk's cell phone will be vibrating non-stop with GMs on the other end of the line looking for a nasty, veteran left winger like Morrow.
So that creates demand on Morrow's unique skill set and leadership.
He's the perfect leader to insert into a young group like the Sabres. He's 34 years of age and he has term left on his deal. He's got a huge chip on his shoulder because he wants to prove his critics wrong. The hockey world is full of cynics and critics. Morrow wants to slap his name out of their mouths. Last season was a wash-out due to neck and back injuries. The word around the rink is that Morrow is back and better than ever. The guy scored 33 goals added 24 assists and played in 82 games in 2010-11
Morrow is one to watch as the Shane Doan and Bobby Ryan sweepstakes begin to percolate in the coming days.
Nieuwendyk is said to be looking to upgrade his D corps. He'd like to add a puck-mover who can play 5 on 5 and special teams. The Sabres have Reggie Sekera and Jordan Leopold to use as trade currency. He's also looking for left wing help. That means recently acquired LW Kevin Porter, or, Sabres prospect Riley Boychuk may be in play as well.
Word is that Nieuwendyk will not actively shop his captain. However, he will be open to listening to offers for his captain. Trust me when I tell you: There will be 3-5 teams who want a piece of Morrow.
On Tuesday, it sounded to me like the NHLPA had presented an intelligent, alternative view as a frae work for the new NHL CBA. Given ample time to digest the players' proposal, Gary Bettman all but torched the plan and let it smolder in the trash can. By Wednesday afternoon, the fear and loathing of another lockout--- the third on Bettman's watch--- was hovering over hockey world like an ominous storm cloud.
The NHL forecast calls for crappy weather for the near future.
Have no fear, the AHL is here to save the day. Namely, your Rochester Amerks.
The Sabres are set to drop the puck on their 2012-13 season on Saturday October 13 when they are scheduled to host Sid, Geno and the Pens. If a work stoppage prohibits such an auspicious event from occurring, you and your buds can fly 60 miles down the I-90 to RaChaCha to throw your vocal support behind the baby Sabres.
The Amerks will open their regular season on Friday October 12 vs. the Syracuse Crunch. Here's the official statement from the Amerks:
The Rochester Americans announced today their regular season schedule for the 2012-13 American Hockey League season. The Amerks will open their 57th AHL season – and 31st as the affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres – at 7:05 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 12 versus the Syracuse Crunch at The Blue Cross Arena.
All AHL teams will again play a 76-game regular season schedule, including 38 home games and 38 road games. Second-year Head Coach Ron Rolston and the Amerks will play the vast majority of their home games on weekends, with 21 Friday home games, three Saturday home dates and three Sunday home outings. The team will also host six games on Wednesdays, three on Tuesdays and two on Mondays.
The start times for Amerk home games will see some change from last season. Games played Tuesday through Saturday will all start at 7:05 p.m., while games played on Sundays and Mondays will see varying earlier start times (1:05 p.m., 3:05 p.m. or 5:05 p.m.). Another change from last year’s schedule is a reduced number of three-games-in-three-nights sets for the Amerks. Rochester will play just six sets of back-to-back-to-back games this season after playing 10 such sets last season.
The Amerks, who will remain in the North Division of the Western Conference, will play 15 of the AHL’s 30 teams over the course of the 2012-13 season. While Rochester will once again be joined in the North Division by the Hamilton Bulldogs, Lake Erie Monsters and Toronto Marlies, the Abbotsford Heat will replace the Grand Rapids Griffins as members of the North this season. As for divisional play, the Amerks will face Hamilton 12 times (six home, six road), Toronto 10 times (five home, five road), Abbotsford eight times (four home, four road) and Lake Erie six times (three home, three road).
One highlight of Rochester’s divisional schedule will come on Friday, Feb. 22 when the Amerks play a road game versus the Hamilton Bulldogs at 7:30 p.m. at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, home of the NHL’s Montreal Canadiens.
The Amerks will be stacked with quality prospects like Adam, Pysyk, Knapp, Brennan, Girgensons, Varone, and more this season. if theer's a lockout, you'll see McNabb, Foligno, Tropp mix it up in The AHL.
Former Sabre sniper, Donald Audette, is returning to the NHL. This time as a scout.
The Canadiens issue this statement Friday afternoon:
The Montreal Canadiens extended the contract of amateur scouting director Trevor Timmins and added two scouts to their staff on Friday.
In 11 years with the Canadiens, Timmins and his staff have drafted several impressive young players, including goaltender Carey Price, defencemen P.K. Subban and Alexei Emelin and forward Max Pacioretty.
The length or other terms of the contract were not disclosed.
The team also signed former player Donald Audette as an amateur scout for Quebec and Mark Mowers as professional scout for the Eastern Conference. Among those Audette will watch is his son Daniel, who was taken first overall in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League draft by the expansion Sherbrooke Phoenix.
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