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Epic Fail: Jacques Martin's Handling Of Jay Bouwmeester |
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Thank goodness for Dale Tallon. Thank goodness the Florida Panthers have a GM that knows what needs to be done and just does it. Thank goodness when it was time to face the music at the 2011 trade deadline he jettisoned many veterans and bad contracts. Thank goodness he started that trend at the 2010 NHL Draft (see Keith Ballard).
At the 2009 trade deadline, the anti-Tallon and then Florida GM Jacques Martin, had one of the prized free agents to be in Jay Bouwmeester on his roster. Bouwmeester was the 3rd overall pick in the 2002 NHL Draft and was a consistent, solid defenseman in his time with Florida.
In hindsight and unfortunately, the Panthers were in the playoff hunt, and Martin was in a tough spot. He could deal the team's best defenseman and then miss the playoffs. He could hold on to him and clinch a postseason berth. Or the worst case scenario was to keep him and not make the playoffs.
This is a story of the pre-Tallon Florida Panthers, so what do you think happened? Yes, the worst case scenario. Before the deadline, there were many rumors about who was interested in JayBo. The team on everyone's radar was the Flyers, and apparently James Van Riemsdyk was in play in this potential deal. Word was the Panthers asking price was too much, and since Martin was hardly ever savvy at personnel moves (see Rostislav Olesz), no one would be surprised he stood pat for what he perceived to be an asset that was hardly as valuable as he thought.
At the time, Bouwmeester was at the peak of his career. In 2008-09 season he was on his way to a 15 goal, 27 assist campaign. The tall, smooth skating defenseman was on many team radars as a solid top-4 if not top-2 defenseman. He had to have SOME value, especially to any team that was in the playoff hunt and thin on defense. The fact that Bouwmeester's Florida team would likely have been one and done had they squeaked into the playoffs should have made the deal even more imperative for the long-term future of the franchise. But Martin rolled the dice and lost. Big time.
JVR being in play in a deal for Bouwmeester is speculation, but there is no doubt the Panthers were in need of offense just as badly as the Flyers were in need of defense, so it made sense. However, in hindsight it looks like the rest of the league was right, and Martin was wrong. There was a reason no one was offering what Martin wanted. The problem was Martin's notorious stubbornness didn't give way to logic.
Unquestionably Bouwmeester was set for a huge raise that summer, and it was clear as day he was not returning to the abyss that was the then Florida Panthers. No one could blame him. No educated Panther fans would blame him either, although at the time they were hoping the home grown product would stay. What else did they have on that depressing, almost-AHL roster?
Martin mercifully "resigned" after the end of another terrible season and soon after was hired as head coach of the Montreal Canadiens. Finally the stench of Mike Keenan and Jacques Martin left the building, although there are still remnants of their personnel debacles to this day.
Interim GM Randy Sexton, who in all honesty did a good job in that role, took over for the 2009 NHL Draft, and scrambled to clean up Martin's mess and a roster that couldn't scare a fly. He had no choice but to get SOMETHING for JayBo, 3 months too late as his value completely evaporated after his horrible finish to the season.
He was dealt to Calgary in a disgusting case of the Panthers cutting their losses, receiving the paltry return of Jordan Leopold's rights and a 3rd round draft pick (Josh Birkholz, RW, who is still with the organization). He then dealt Leopold to the Penguins at the 2010 trade deadline for a 2nd rounder (Connor Brickley, C, who is still with the organization).
Since then, Flames fans know all too well JayBo might be one of the most overrated, and overpaid, defenseman in the NHL. His $6.68 million salary is certainly eye-popping for a player who has totalled 12 goals and 70 assists in 246 games in Calgary. He is also an astounding -27 over that stretch, including -21 last year. Therein lies what everyone else knew, while Martin hoped it wouldn't factor in a deal. Bouwmeester is soft as a player. Soft around the net. Soft on the boards. At this point, there is no hope for improving. The one positive is he has never missed a game in 7 straight seasons, but that is indicative of this soft style.
Calgary finished ninth in the West last year with 90 points, so obviously they weren't a great team. But JayBo is an assistant captain and in a position to lead by example. No wonder Flames fans would be happy to see him leave town, as more grit from a team "leader" certainly is needed.
In Florida, it was hard to notice his softness because most of the teams he played on were just as soft. In hockey crazed Canada it's beyond noticeable, which is why JayBo is reportedly back on the trading block again. If Philadelphia is where he ends up, the fans there will eat him alive for his non-Flyer style of play.
But back in 2009, he was at the height of his value. He was absolutely tradeable and there were certainly many deals on the table for his services from teams in the playoff hunt. At the time he showed great a solid offensive game, and certainly no one could out skate him.
But like the Roberto Luongo trade(which Martin did sign off on) and the Rostislav Olesz contract, Martin did exactly opposite of selling high, which should have been a no-brainer. Especially involving a disgruntled player.
Combine such moves with the catastrophes that are the majority of first round picks from 1996-2008 and you have a dozen years of futility previously experienced. The franchise has never been able to truly move forward. The general managers of this team were never truly committed to rebuilding by getting rid of all the dead weight, as well as drafting the right players. Until now.
Thanks goodness for Dale Tallon.
Twitter @DanSpiegel
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