Jared Crozier: Senators, Hoffman Avoid Arbitration With 4 year, $20.75M Deal

Your blog got jacked...

Great signing... perfect term and amount...

Now maybe they'll surprise us and extent Stone with that same contract too...

Awesome signing. Now get Ceci signed today as well.

Awesome (and thank god)!

I thought for sure they would have to pay him minimum 5.5 per.

Great work Dorion!!!

Really hope they can get Ceci to agree to a bridge deal under 3.5per but jesus their were some awful awful contracts handed out to D men

I thought for sure they would have to pay him minimum 5.5 per.

Great work Dorion!!!

Really hope they can get Ceci to agree to a bridge deal under 3.5per but jesus their were some awful awful contracts handed out to D men
- SENS 613

Those awful contracts were awarded under different scenarios. Ceci will be restricted free agent, while dekeyser being older was going to be unrestricted. Ceci has less leverage in the negociation than Dekeyser's camp had. I think they sign Ceci 4.25M per year for 5 years. That's my opinion of a fair middle ground. Ceci is one of the most underrated Ds in the league and not even close to his full potential. This guy is probably the Senators second best player.

Seems right where it should be compared to the contracts signed by Palmieri and Kreider.

I do like the deal. I know there is some doom and gloom about people suggesting the Sens will have to shed salary next year to maintain a sub $68M salary for next year, but I think things will go fine. I think the money out plus the income from the expansion means the internal cap can go up a bit.

I still say Ceci is around $3M cap hit for 3 years ( to keep him as an RFA after the contract )

I'd bet on a back loaded deal. $2.5M, $3M, $3.5M or something along those lines.
Maybe up to $3.4M per for 3 years. That brings him over $10M for the contract, and hearing that you are over 10 rather than 9 just has that mental hook to it. Over $10M sounds like a lot more

EDIT: This is reassuring-

J.P. Barry and Dorion have exchanged emails on Cody Ceci. "I can assure you Cody will be playing for us on Oct. 12th." #Sens
- Bruce Garrioch ‏@SunGarrioch 3m3 minutes ago

Great contract. Hoffman is in the perfect salary range for his output. Helps the club for four years and still has prime years left for another big deal after.

I think it's funny that I called out Garth for saying Hoffman was as good as gone in one of his previous posts, and he deleted my post and also blocked me from replying. Didn't think you could do that unless someone posted something offensive or the like? Anyways, seems pretty immature on his part. He mentioned in his post today that the negotiations were 'tedious', not sure where he got that from. Both sides presented to the public very professionally and they didn't reach arb., pretty sure it was probably status quo.

Sign Ceci, and maybe the Sens are one good trade away from making some real noise.

Hoffman has a modified NTC btw. Standard 10 team no trade list.

and now Garth's locked the comments

Hey, what do you know... the process works. This looks like a very appropriate deal for Hoffman that doesn't over-commit the team in terms of money or term. That's one down, and one to go - with all of August available to work on a new deal with Ceci.

Hopefully this curbs some of the more irrational criticism of Dorion, who I actually think has done a far better job so far than most people acknowledge.

Amazing signing for amazing value. I would have liked longer like 6 years but the money, I thought he would get more.

Now sign Ceci and go get a 1C

There is a fellow named Matt Cane who generates predictions for player salary based on calculations on their stats, and they've shown some interesting trends. He predicted $4.2M for Hoffman, but he got a lot of other guys pretty spot on. His prediction for Ceci, based on stats is $3.5M per season. I'm thinking the Sens manage to give him a bridge deal for less than that. Something around $3M-$3.3M per season.

Biggest bargain contract come next season.

~5M/AAV for a 30 goal scorer is a steal

Isn't it amazing how when anything remotely questionable happens to the Senators, you'll easily get 100+ comments on the blog, but when there's something positive to report, it's tumbleweeds?

Hoffman files for arbitration, and a huge part of the fanbase bursts into enraged tears about how cheap the team is and how they're constantly sacrificing talent for the sake of preserving their bottom line, and how the budget is more important to the team than on-ice success. Hoffman signs, and none of those bleating crybabies have anything to say. Can't say I'm surprised.

Anyone with half a brain knew that this wasn't going to go to arbitration. Anyone who has been paying attention knows that the Senators don't let players walk over money. People who want to accuse the team of being a bunch of penny pinching cheapskates have to ignore days like today in order to continue to perpetuate the myth that the Senators are too cheap to pay their players.

Here we have another piece of evidence to show that the Senators are committed to winning, to show that they won't let talent leave town over money, but the negative nancy's out there are going to continue to scream from the hills about how cheap this team is while simultaneously ignoring the enormous amount of evidence that contradicts them.

Lots of people say things like 'I hate to say I told you so', but not me. I love saying it. I told every crybaby that Hoffman would file for arbitration, and that he would sign before the hearing. Ohohohoho.

Isn't it amazing how when anything remotely questionable happens to the Senators, you'll easily get 100+ comments on the blog, but when there's something positive to report, it's tumbleweeds?

Hoffman files for arbitration, and a huge part of the fanbase bursts into enraged tears about how cheap the team is and how they're constantly sacrificing talent for the sake of preserving their bottom line, and how the budget is more important to the team than on-ice success. Hoffman signs, and none of those bleating crybabies have anything to say. Can't say I'm surprised.

Anyone with half a brain knew that this wasn't going to go to arbitration. Anyone who has been paying attention knows that the Senators don't let players walk over money. People who want to accuse the team of being a bunch of penny pinching cheapskates have to ignore days like today in order to continue to perpetuate the myth that the Senators are too cheap to pay their players.

Here we have another piece of evidence to show that the Senators are committed to winning, to show that they won't let talent leave town over money, but the negative nancy's out there are going to continue to scream from the hills about how cheap this team is while simultaneously ignoring the enormous amount of evidence that contradicts them.

Lots of people say things like 'I hate to say I told you so', but not me. I love saying it. I told every crybaby that Hoffman would file for arbitration, and that he would sign before the hearing. Ohohohoho.
- the_terror

This is a budget team no matter how you word it.

We have an internal cap that the organization doesn't want to go over.

This Hoffman deal: is great..cant deny Dorion did an amazing job, better then I expected (thought hoff would get more term).

However there have been A LOT of moves this organization has done that CEMENT the fact they are cheap.

Hoffman files for arbitration, and a huge part of the fanbase bursts into enraged tears about how cheap the team is and how they're constantly sacrificing talent for the sake of preserving their bottom line, and how the budget is more important to the team than on-ice success. Hoffman signs, and none of those bleating crybabies have anything to say. Can't say I'm surprised.

Anyone with half a brain knew that this wasn't going to go to arbitration. Anyone who has been paying attention knows that the Senators don't let players walk over money. People who want to accuse the team of being a bunch of penny pinching cheapskates have to ignore days like today in order to continue to perpetuate the myth that the Senators are too cheap to pay their players.
- the_terror

I admit when I heard 'insiders' talk about 'reports' of some low ball offers being floated out there, I was a bit nervous. But, my more logical/critical side kept me somewhat positive throughout this process. When I said:

...It seems pretty unlikely to me that the Sens part ways with home grown young talent, when that is what they've been saying they've wanted. Apparently, Hoffman is meeting again with the Sens and things aren't as bad as some have made out.
...
I'm trying to console myself with the hope that this is just your typical negotiation process with young players...Hard to view something you are passionate about as a dispassionate business, but that is how it goes.

Here we have another piece of evidence to show that the Senators are committed to winning, to show that they won't let talent leave town over money, but the negative nancy's out there are going to continue to scream from the hills about how cheap this team is while simultaneously ignoring the enormous amount of evidence that contradicts them.

I was trying hard to look at things rationally and not let the rage and panic in the Sens world cloud things.

I've always worried more about the moves that AREN'T made because of money limitations. However, it is reassuring to see contracts getting signed. I do think the Sens have a knack for getting RFA contracts done, and at a reasonable value. Stone, Turris, Karlsson, and now Hoffman. They are pretty good value in my books.

Hopefully these mentions of Ceci being close are accurate as well. Multiple folks ( including Garrioch ) suggest it will be a 2 year deal, and for $6M total. I'd be fine with that...very fine.

Im not shocked at the AAV, I'm shocked at the term. What a win for the team.

How did Hoffmans camp not at least get that 5th year...

Im all for not locking up players, unless they are the elite of the elite. To me, there is so much drop off a pro-athlete can have that it just isn't worth locking guys up for 5-7 years.

4 years is insanely good for Ottawa.

Isn't it amazing how when anything remotely questionable happens to the Senators, you'll easily get 100+ comments on the blog, but when there's something positive to report, it's tumbleweeds?

Hoffman files for arbitration, and a huge part of the fanbase bursts into enraged tears about how cheap the team is and how they're constantly sacrificing talent for the sake of preserving their bottom line, and how the budget is more important to the team than on-ice success. Hoffman signs, and none of those bleating crybabies have anything to say. Can't say I'm surprised.

Anyone with half a brain knew that this wasn't going to go to arbitration. Anyone who has been paying attention knows that the Senators don't let players walk over money. People who want to accuse the team of being a bunch of penny pinching cheapskates have to ignore days like today in order to continue to perpetuate the myth that the Senators are too cheap to pay their players.

Here we have another piece of evidence to show that the Senators are committed to winning, to show that they won't let talent leave town over money, but the negative nancy's out there are going to continue to scream from the hills about how cheap this team is while simultaneously ignoring the enormous amount of evidence that contradicts them.

Lots of people say things like 'I hate to say I told you so', but not me. I love saying it. I told every crybaby that Hoffman would file for arbitration, and that he would sign before the hearing. Ohohohoho.
- the_terror

I don't know about all of this. The team can be pretty tight when it comes to things. I agree with some of what you said, they have signed there own, but its clear they're on a budget. I have no problem with being smart and spending your money. Going around on July 1 and just signing guys to huge contracts is terrible, but when you're giving up 2nd round picks to avoid paying a 2mil signing bonus, thats awful. Like beyond awful. That 2nd rounder may be used in other ways, whether it be trade bait or maybe drafting a good player. That just can't happen in today's day, a cap-era. Thats the problem a lot of people have with the team, examples like that.

This is a budget team no matter how you word it.

We have an internal cap that the organization doesn't want to go over.

This Hoffman deal: is great..cant deny Dorion did an amazing job, better then I expected (thought hoff would get more term).

However there have been A LOT of moves this organization has done that CEMENT the fact they are cheap.
- Trilla

2 weeks ago. They gave up a 2nd to avoid paying 2mil.

That should never happen. Ever.

Im all for not locking up players, unless they are the elite of the elite. To me, there is so much drop off a pro-athlete can have that it just isn't worth locking guys up for 5-7 years.

4 years is insanely good for Ottawa.
- BodyCheckRadio

I wouldn't be so sure. When this contract expires, Hoffman will be starting the season turning 30 ( in November ).
The value a forward can ask while still at or below 30 is much different than a guy who is in his early 30's his contract expires right before the UFA contract values drop off. It could be a real smart move for him. It could mean ( if he says productive throughout ) that he will be in line for another big contract. If he is a UFA at 31-32, it is likely he won't be signed to such a large value.

Amazing signing for amazing value. I would have liked longer like 6 years but the money, I thought he would get more.

Now sign Ceci and go get a 1C
- Maverick1818

I've said this time and time again -- go look at threads from earlier this month -- Sens need either a true #1 center or a Turris clone (who is a solid #2; under the bar for true #1s on a contender). I think that's a minimum 60 points in the bank + unless the defensive game is out of this world and all the other aspects of the game.

Honestly pretty shocked this worked out. I'm happily shocked. Don't hate to be wrong in situations like this. Good deal for both sides. After this, I'm more optimistic about Ceci. Good work by Dorion here.

I agree 100% with The Terror.... just because this team has not spent their money foolishly ( safe for Kovalev ) the perception is (guys like Trilla) that they are cheap

The facts, however, show otherwise. The Negative Nellies will never learn unfortunately. They will continue to look at every UFA that Ottawa doesn't sign, or every trade that isn't made and say "see El Cheapo strikes again'....

But hey.... that's what these boards are for