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Glass Talks hit Snag & Allan Walsh an Enemy to the Jets?

June 15, 2012, 2:16 PM ET [7 Comments]
Peter Tessier
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Gary Lawless of the Winnipeg Free Press has a column today about the supposed Tanner Glass contract talks being 80% done. Apparently not the case according to Glass's agent Ross Gurney as Lawless reports. You can read the article here:

Gary Lawless WFP

So if they are a 'prairie mile apart' as Gary so aptly reports, what is the hold up? The easiest issue to consider is contract length, as it would be safe to assume Glass wants something longer than 1 year. A raise would be nice too. If Glass, part of the GST line, is the middle property in terms of value then he needs to fit somewhere between Thorburn 850k and Slater 1.6m. Wouldn't 1.25 seem fair and give him 2 years with a club option for 3?

It's not going to be so simple with another player.

A person close to talks with Jets and Ondrej Pavelec has mentioned that the two parties may have hit an impasse, one that will require some time and 'cooling off' before they can better.

Pavelec is represented by Allan Walsh of Octagon Sports, a hockey personality some call a 'super-agent'. Walsh is by no means shy as anyone who follows his twitter feed, @walsha, will know he promotes his clients well, along directing criticism at many. He has written OpEd peices in various papers about injustices he sees against his clients, and has gone on Twitter rants unlike any other hockey industry professional, see below.

Walsh Rant

He isn't afraid of taking on coaches either such as when he attacked former Manitoba Moose head coach Scott Arniel during his tenure in Columbus

""Columbus Blue Jackets assistant Todd Richards wasn't the target of Allan Walsh this time, but the former Wild coach can't escape the outspoken agent. Walsh lit into Blue Jackets head coach Scott Arniel last week for his treatment of Derick Brassard (seven scratches in 10 games).

"The coach has a history of burying players and using them as scapegoats to mask his own lack of success on the ice," Walsh said of Arniel."

Courtesy the Minneapolis Star Tribune

That last paragrapgh was in reference to this situation from October in 2010 where this event happened:

Puck Daddy and Walsh


Walsh is also known for promoting player's rights in many facets of the CBA, current and future, arguing with anyone(including me) about labour law and players rights. Just follow his twitter feed and see the pro-labour propaganda. It shouldn't be surprising as Walsh was a former District Attorney in the LA office with Marcia Clark and Christopher Darden. For those who don't remember they are the two lead prosecturs from the OJ Simpson trial. Walsh seemed to get the hell out of dodge before that case nearly ended the careers of the above mentioned pair. He appears to possess some common sense.

However, does that common sense apply with his client Ondrej Pavelec and his current contract negotiations with the Winnipeg Jets?

It should be no suprise to anyone, after the above information, that Walsh takes a hard stand in his negotiations with teams. He is the player's advocate, but does he go to far? It may be the case with the NHL's newest darling, and surprise financial saviour, the Winnipeg Jets. While no details of the contract discussions are available in terms of numbers or term there is word that the Jets have made what they believe to be a reasonable contract offer to Pavelec. Unfortunately that appears to be the only reasonable part of the discussions as the two sides are apart in details and perhaps philosophy.

Is the gap too large to bridge and find common ground? Only the two parties know, but judging from Walsh's history and style I'm sure he has drawn his line in the sand if not presented some sort of ultimatum back. If Pavelec does have a contract offer from the KHL it gives Walsh all the more reason to stand his ground along with some pseudo sense of power and control.

The somewhat old adage is "there's no 'i' in team" but there is in 'price'. However if you want to be a part of a team you need to come with a reasonable price and that's what Walsh should remember as well as every other player and agent if you want long term success. Oh yeah, success, there's no 'i' in that either.

Take a look here if you want to seem some thoghts and stats on Pavelec as he relates to the team.
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