The Winnipeg Jets have an important RFA in Michael Frolik, one they cannot afford to lose. To put it simply no player since the Jets arrived in Winnipeg has been as useful and trusted by team mates and coaches as Michael Frolik. Unfortunately for Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff the retention of Frolik comes with another match against the same agent, Allan Walsh, who Chevy sparred with on Pavelec's 5-year deal. Feeling optimistic?
Perhaps the Jets GM has learned a few things since that fateful June where he may have been snookered by a player, and possibly his agent, after a intoxicated driving conviction was hidden during contract negotiations. Walsh has claimed he knew nothing of the actions of his client while Pavelec was at home in the Czech Republic but it's likely that he certainly prepared Pavelec for the answers to many tough questions when the NHL returned to action. That's what some one well-versed in witness testimonywould do, it's the kind of adversay that Chevy is up against. Is it any coincidence that Walsh also represents Mark Andre Fleury or Martin Havlat, two players who have also failed to live up to their big money contracts?
It won't be an easy road for the Jets GM when dealing with Walsh and Frolik and he probably knows that, but it doesn't change Frolik's value to the Jets.
Below is the 2013 player usage chart for the Jets.
Notice where Frolik is shown? The only two players who took on tougher opposition were Bryan Little and Andrew Ladd and Frolik had a better possession ratio. Frolik also only started playing with Ladd and Little after Maurice took over the bench.
Here is Frolik with his current cap hit comparables of Hagelin, Versteeg, Cogliano, Kennedy and Higgns.
Frankly the Jets can't afford to lose Frolik when you se that chart- he can play tough opposition, a positive possesion player and he can eat some tough minutes too on special teams- something he became very good at during last year's playoff run with Chicago.
Cogliano signed a new deal with Anaheim for a small raise but the Jets aren't the Duck and Cogliano doesn't have Walsh. That's where it gets tricky as term and dollars will always cost Winnipeg more. I've said I'd be happy if Jokinen and Frolik just swapped salaries but that's if you want to retain Jokinen. If not I'd suggest Frolik is going to get upwards of 3.5 million a year and for 4-5 years. In fact I might not be disappointed if he signed a deal almost identical to Pavelec's 5 years 19 million, but that's wishful thinking and both Chevy and Walsh know that.
What they come to terms with is another thing and for Jets fans they can only hope Chevy learned something from his first showdown with the player's agent. If he didn't this contract could be something that has a few heads spinning.