Todd Cordell: Calgary Flames: Jay Feaster Expected To Play It Safe With T.J. Brodie

Seems like a similar-ish situation to Gagner with the Oil... Bambi signed him to a one-year 3.2 mil deal as a "show me" contract, and now after a good season Gagner will likely get $5 - $5.5 in arbitration. Wish the Oil would have just signed him to a four year 4mil per last year, but now they'll pay dearly for that choice.

So go ahead Feaster, give your best Dman a one-year "show me" contract and see how that goes

Seems like a similar-ish situation to Gagner with the Oil... Bambi signed him to a one-year 3.2 mil deal as a "show me" contract, and now after a good season Gagner will likely get $5 - $5.5 in arbitration. Wish the Oil would have just signed him to a four year 4mil per last year, but now they'll pay dearly for that choice.

So go ahead Feaster, give your best Dman a one-year "show me" contract and see how that goes
- BigDre

That's what I'm trying to say! Haha. He'd be smart to get him signed to an extension with more term.

That's what I'm trying to say! Haha. He'd be smart to get him signed to an extension with more term.
- Todd.Cordell

I know, I just want to see the Flames fail, and it's extra sweet when it's Feasters fault

That's what I'm trying to say! Haha. He'd be smart to get him signed to an extension with more term.
- Todd.Cordell

So if Brodie has a season similar to the last, what do you think he's worth to the Flames next year?

Good example is Subban (no saying brodie and subban are same level or ever will be). Signs a "show me" deal then wins Norris and will probably make 6.50-7 next deal when they could have signed him long term for 4.5-5.5

I know, I just want to see the Flames fail, and it's extra sweet when it's Feasters fault
- BigDre

Nice avatar, by the way. Haha

I like Brodie but I have not seen enough to warrant a larger, take a chance style contract. I think 2 yrs @$2.5MM is perfect. If he plays himself into a $5MM extension after that, I will be more than happy to have him signed for that. Paying a player for results is fine by me, it was the mistakes of the past that still haunt us (i.e. signing guys like Stajan to a "take a chance" contract).

So if Brodie has a season similar to the last, what do you think he's worth to the Flames next year?
- BigDre

5yrsx4mill

Good example is Subban (no saying brodie and subban are same level or ever will be). Signs a "show me" deal then wins Norris and will probably make 6.50-7 next deal when they could have signed him long term for 4.5-5.5
- cmpdave

Long-term deal likely would have been closer to 4.5 than 5.5 but I agree. That's exactly the point of my article today.

Nice avatar, by the way. Haha
- Todd.Cordell

Thanks

I couldn't figure out how to make her dance though

I like Brodie but I have not seen enough to warrant a larger, take a chance style contract. I think 2 yrs @$2.5MM is perfect. If he plays himself into a $5MM extension after that, I will be more than happy to have him signed for that. Paying a player for results is fine by me, it was the mistakes of the past that still haunt us (i.e. signing guys like Stajan to a "take a chance" contract).
- IggyOnly

Agreed I would rather the Flames pay money that isn't mine based on results over paying for "potential"

Good example is Subban (no saying brodie and subban are same level or ever will be). Signs a "show me" deal then wins Norris and will probably make 6.50-7 next deal when they could have signed him long term for 4.5-5.5
- cmpdave

I'm curious about this. Something tells me Subban would not have signed a 4.5-5.5 deal. It would have taken 6+ to get him long term. He's cocky (with reason) and wouldn't sign long term for less than he felt he was worth (or would become worth).

I'm curious about this. Something tells me Subban would not have signed a 4.5-5.5 deal. It would have taken 6+ to get him long term. He's cocky (with reason) and wouldn't sign long term for less than he felt he was worth (or would become worth).
- IggyOnly

I think you're right about the 6mil, but he also got lucky. Hopefully he signs a big contract and regresses.

I'd really like to know what it will take for GMs to learn that big massive contracts are detrimental to the team in the long run...

That being said, I consider the Oil lucky to have signed Hall and Eberle for $6mil a piece long term... nothing crazy in those contracts

It's a giant problem in the NHL and the cause of two major lockouts in recent history. The handing out of huge contracts before they are deserved.

For all the neh sayers, Feaster is being responsible.
Players should be paid for what they accomplish, not what they potentially could accomplish.

If you pay them for potential, you end up being the Flyers and the Rangers of the world. Stuck with giant buyouts and a constant carousel of players with giant unwarranted salaries.

It's a giant problem in the NHL and the cause of two major lockouts in recent history. The handing out of huge contracts before they are deserved.

For all the nah sayers, Feaster is being responsible.
Players should be paid for what they accomplish, not what they potentially could accomplish.

If you pay them for potential, you end up being the Flyers and the Rangers of the world. Stuck with giant buyouts and a constant carousel of players with giant unwarranted salaries.
- Sam67

Long term huge contracts are the one thing I don't worry about with Feaster. Word being that his exit in Tampa was due to ownerships' demands on having that Lecavalier contract given out. I'm fine when someone is overpaid to entice them here on short term considering our cap space (i.e. Ramo).

I think you're right about the 6mil, but he also got lucky. Hopefully he signs a big contract and regresses.

I'd really like to know what it will take for GMs to learn that big massive contracts are detrimental to the team in the long run...

That being said, I consider the Oil lucky to have signed Hall and Eberle for $6mil a piece long term... nothing crazy in those contracts
- BigDre

Hall an Injuries worry me a little, I would hate for a player as dynamic as him to become one of those 55-65 games a year kind of guy. Eberle is a pure beauty, I am a die hard Flames fan- born and raised in Calgary and HATE that the oil have him haha I do think in 3-4 years the battle of alberta is going to be alive and well again! Do you think the oil have a chance at playoffs this year being in a way harder division? I like the division as I think it will shore up a lottery pick for the Flames in 2014 and 2015

Long term huge contracts are the one thing I don't worry about with Feaster. Word being that his exit in Tampa was due to ownerships' demands on having that Lecavalier contract given out. I'm fine when someone is overpaid to entice them here on short term considering our cap space (i.e. Ramo).
- IggyOnly

I guess from time to time you have to overpay to get a player.
My concern is with the youngsters getting paid before they actually earn it.

Hall an Injuries worry me a little, I would hate for a player as dynamic as him to become one of those 55-65 games a year kind of guy. Eberle is a pure beauty, I am a die hard Flames fan- born and raised in Calgary and HATE that the oil have him haha I do think in 3-4 years the battle of alberta is going to be alive and well again! Do you think the oil have a chance at playoffs this year being in a way harder division? I like the division as I think it will shore up a lottery pick for the Flames in 2014 and 2015
- cmpdave

Hall has smartened up a bit, but yes, in his first two years Oil fans saw the potential for his melon to get cracked open with his reckless play. His growth comes from respecting his opponents who aren't children he can domniate anymore imo.

Eberle was an absolute steal at #22 overall and again imo, will outperform most players of his draft class. He's also incredibly slick and doesn't get hit much.

I'd love to see the BoA resurrected, but not until the Oil have had a few years of beating on the Flames (like they've done to the Oil recently, except for this past year).

Playoffs next year? I'm not counting on it, though they could squeak into 8th if the hockey/injury gods are with them.

Seems like a similar-ish situation to Gagner with the Oil... Bambi signed him to a one-year 3.2 mil deal as a "show me" contract, and now after a good season Gagner will likely get $5 - $5.5 in arbitration. Wish the Oil would have just signed him to a four year 4mil per last year, but now they'll pay dearly for that choice.

So go ahead Feaster, give your best Dman a one-year "show me" contract and see how that goes
- BigDre

Even if he gets a one-year" show me" contract its not like Brodie is going to come out next year looking like Suter or Webber. The flames D is horrible and he is going to be put in a lot of tough situations. Sure, he will take the next step, but with the team around him there will be plenty of nights that he will make mistakes, which will look horrible with nobody to help cover up mistakes.

Even if he gets a one-year" show me" contract its not like Brodie is going to come out next year looking like Suter or Webber. The flames D is horrible and he is going to be put in a lot of tough situations. Sure, he will take the next step, but with the team around him there will be plenty of nights that he will make mistakes, which will look horrible with nobody to help cover up mistakes.
- nigelwright275

Excellent. This is the attitude I'm hoping Feaster has, and that Brodie will prove himself to be by far your best puck moving Dman in just one year.

Excellent. This is the attitude I'm hoping Feaster has, and that Brodie will prove himself to be by far your best puck moving Dman in just one year.
- BigDre

There's a good chance he does end up being the best puck moving D-man on the flames, look at the team. You have to compare his play to the rest of the NHL not just what's on your team. If the flames signed players because of what they look like compared to the rest of the team, then Stajan would have gotten a $5 million extension after last year.

There's a good chance he does end up being the best puck moving D-man on the flames, look at the team. You have to compare his play to the rest of the NHL not just what's on your team. If the flames signed players because of what they look like compared to the rest of the team, then Stajan would have gotten a $5 million extension after last year.
- nigelwright275

I think there's more to it than just comparing to the other players in the league... we all know how hard it is to find a player you want/need on your team, especially when you don't have him. If someone offer sheeted him to $500k more than Feaster wanted to pay, would you let him go because you think you can easily replace him?

He's worth what people are willing to pay him, and I hope he has a great year in Calgary on a one year contract

2 year contract is smart. smart gms would rather wait it out to see if the kid is the real deal. never mind paying for something when your sure

Doesn't really matter. Players signed to contracts they don't like because they had a good year or 2 are routinely "re-negotiated" by Owners/GMs. What you rarely see is a player who signd a big, long-term deal, performs below expectations, but refuses to renegotiate or give any $ back to the team.
A contract is binding on both parties for the whole term, but seems to mean nothing to players & agents if they don't like the deal they made and teams let them get away with it.