Peter Tessier: After Skinner is 29 Million for E. Kane too Low? Has the 6 year 34 million deal for Jeff Skinner altered the next deal for Evander Kane?

The bottom line, for me, is that Skinner has proven more capable of putting points and goals on the board at this stage, and in today's NHL, that's what you get paid for.

Skinner's 0.73 ppg and 0.34 gpg is nothing to sneeze at, it's verging on elite level production, and he's younger by a year.

Kane is someone we all expect to get there eventually, but he isn't there yet, and frankly should be taking this deal. It's all he's worth atm. Everyone has to stop paying players based on potential.

The bottom line, for me, is that Skinner has proven more capable of putting points and goals on the board at this stage, and in today's NHL, that's what you get paid for.

Skinner's 0.73 ppg and 0.34 gpg is nothing to sneeze at, it's verging on elite level production, and he's younger by a year.

Kane is someone we all expect to get there eventually, but he isn't there yet, and frankly should be taking this deal. It's all he's worth atm. Everyone has to stop paying players based on potential.
- TommyDeVito

I agree... Player contracts are getting crazier and crazier...

I am talking to my friend who is an Oiler fan and he is having a stroke thinking what Hall and Eberle are going to get then the year after RHN then YAK! Crazy money will be given out in Oil country

The bottom line, for me, is that Skinner has proven more capable of putting points and goals on the board at this stage, and in today's NHL, that's what you get paid for.

Skinner's 0.73 ppg and 0.34 gpg is nothing to sneeze at, it's verging on elite level production, and he's younger by a year.

Kane is someone we all expect to get there eventually, but he isn't there yet, and frankly should be taking this deal. It's all he's worth atm. Everyone has to stop paying players based on potential.
- TommyDeVito

Evander Kane had 30 goals last year at the age of 20.

Know who else did that? Marleau and Nash

Players that didn't: Hossa,Giroux,Elias,Franzen,Vanek,Kopitar,St.Louis, Brad Richards

This list goes on. Its not about the "29 million" It's about the term. You're trying to sign this guy for 6 years at 4.9m a season. 2 or 3 years from now he's going to look at his contract, then look at what everyone else is making and be like "what the (frank) did I do this for?"

On a 6 year deal, I say you're looking at at least 33 million. If not then sign him to a 2 or 3 year deal at 5 million per

Absolutely not. Jeff Skinner, if he stays healthy is probably the future captain of that Hurricanes team. Kane is terrific talent and for sure could be a leader for the Jets or any team, but Skinner is already on a different level. I don't see Kane being worth more.

Absolutely not. Jeff Skinner, if he stays healthy is probably the future captain of that Hurricanes team. Kane is terrific talent and for sure could be a leader for the Jets or any team, but Skinner is already on a different level. I don't see Kane being worth more.
- HopintheCordoba

I don't think he's worth more than Skinner, that was never the point. Is Kane worth 29 million for six year and I think that is too low.

As for the comments about the Oilers. Mother of god. Tambo and low burned up years on entry level deals for nothing other than another lottery pick. They won't be able to keep all of them... not a chance.

They are the ones who will cry about not being able to afford the talent and want longer RFA years and lower cap etc. Yet their ineptitude year after year has directly impacted their future issues. Why should the be protected and rewarded for being inept?

I don't think he's worth more than Skinner, that was never the point. Is Kane worth 29 million for six year and I think that is too low.

As for the comments about the Oilers. Mother of god. Tambo and low burned up years on entry level deals for nothing other than another lottery pick. They won't be able to keep all of them... not a chance.They are the ones who will cry about not being able to afford the talent and want longer RFA years and lower cap etc. Yet their ineptitude year after year has directly impacted their future issues. Why should the be protected and rewarded for being inept?
- Peter.Tessier

As far as Kane, I think right now $29 million is fine. If it goes up, it'll be by max of $1-3 million, tops. It's alot of money to turn down for a 20 y/o. The Oilers may suprise you. I can understand your thoughts. They have no consistent, proven goalie that they can build on and they have no real proven top defensive pairing. With their current set of youth and talent, and the possibility of a 'see-saw', new cba in which the cap could go up or down for teams, they may be able to keep their chosen guys. I have no crystal ball or anything, but I think its reasonable to think they can work Eberle, Yakupov, Hall and Nugent-Hopkins for a long while before losing any one of them. They made some mistakes not drafting high in defense or goalies though. Those are the REAL trade chips. I don't mean to brag on Ray Shero, but our defense is going to be whatever we want: A top forward, top defenseman, solid netminder....whatever. Shero has drafted extremely high on defenseman and made solid trades for them as well.

After Eric Staal, Skinner is the next highest paid player on the Hurricans and will become an anchor piece with Jordan Staal, along with brother Eric, for years to come

Um, did you forgot about the $6m/year deal that the guy you mentioned later in that sentence just got?

As far as Kane, I think right now $29 million is fine. If it goes up, it'll be by max of $1-3 million, tops. It's alot of money to turn down for a 20 y/o. The Oilers may suprise you. I can understand your thoughts. They have no consistent, proven goalie that they can build on and they have no real proven top defensive pairing. With their current set of youth and talent, and the possibility of a 'see-saw', new cba in which the cap could go up or down for teams, they may be able to keep their chosen guys. I have no crystal ball or anything, but I think its reasonable to think they can work Eberle, Yakupov, Hall and Nugent-Hopkins for a long while before losing any one of them. They made some mistakes not drafting high in defense or goalies though. Those are the REAL trade chips. I don't mean to brag on Ray Shero, but our defense is going to be whatever we want: A top forward, top defenseman, solid netminder....whatever. Shero has drafted extremely high on defenseman and made solid trades for them as well.
- HopintheCordoba

Say each of Hall, Eberle and N-H get 2.5 mill raises that adds 7.5 to a 62 million cap hit already bringing it close to the 70 mill limit. Now look at the fact that in 2 years that 13.5 comes off due to UFA players there is net space of 6 million.

will the Oilers be able to retain enough quality players to to fill the 5 holes that make up the 13.5 million in expiring contracts? They lose Hemsky, Smyth, Belanger, Eager and Schultz. Not at all easy to replace and the team needs to improve in more than a few areas too.

not impossible but burning up entry level years will hurt the Oilers in some capacity.

Um, did you forgot about the $6m/year deal that the guy you mentioned later in that sentence just got?
- hitman19

Point. Set. Match. Interesting to see how much Jordan will command in minutes on the Canes. That was his point in leaving, to play a bigger role---and of course a chance to play with Eric.

Say each of Hall, Eberle and N-H get 2.5 mill raises that adds 7.5 to a 62 million cap hit already bringing it close to the 70 mill limit. Now look at the fact that in 2 years that 13.5 comes off due to UFA players there is net space of 6 million.

will the Oilers be able to retain enough quality players to to fill the 5 holes that make up the 13.5 million in expiring contracts? They lose Hemsky, Smyth, Belanger, Eager and Schultz. Not at all easy to replace and the team needs to improve in more than a few areas too.

not impossible but burning up entry level years will hurt the Oilers in some capacity.
- Peter.Tessier

I don't disagree. It's not easy, but remember, a few of these guys have barely played. Performance dictates the money more than anything. Smyth isn't worth his deal and neither is Hemsky, I could see them being dealt this year for defensive prospects. I think they can manuever with some grit guys for less. There are plenty of guys in the league that would play with the young guns in order to take leadership and top 6 roles, for less money now and then parlay that into better contracts. The odds are certainly against them, and like I said, they need to get better on the blue line and in net, and quick, if they want to start making dents now. The future is bright there, but it isn't exactly clear. Can't argue that they will have a tougher time holding them past entry deals if they all perform at the level expected.

Um, did you forgot about the $6m/year deal that the guy you mentioned later in that sentence just got?
- hitman19

toss in a crazy 7 million dollar russian and he is now the 4th highest. Sad part is that Skinner will only be making a million more than Ruutu

toss in a crazy 7 million dollar russian and he is now the 4th highest. Sad part is that Skinner will only be making a million more than Ruutu
- DDM-Coga

I think its a trend that Rutheford wants to stick to. Giving less lucrative deals to players with huge upside, but without a lot of proof in the books by way of numbers. Staal's deal was exactly the same as what Shero offered and it was a big deal, but it was completely reasonable based off what he did for us in Pittsburgh, and even more reasonable for a top 6 center and maybe 1st liner. Brilliant work. He's helping to keep contracts low. It will only help teams, while still giving a lot of money to players. Ruutu won't be making more than him soon, and neither will other players. The Holmgrens of the league may be subconsiously be trying to raise prices, but Rutheford doesn't appear to be. Am I giving him too much credit? The extra 1.5 for Semin is a lot, but he's done there after 1 year, especially if he tanks.

Um, did you forgot about the $6m/year deal that the guy you mentioned later in that sentence just got?
- hitman19

Okay got my players mixed- good catch.

toss in a crazy 7 million dollar russian and he is now the 4th highest. Sad part is that Skinner will only be making a million more than Ruutu
- DDM-Coga

I'm not counting Semin as an anchor piece and I am very curious to see if he can earn himself a longer deal with any team. It's great for him he gets 7 million this year but would you want him in any team's core long term with his recent play?

Skinner does not play with Eric Staal. Why, when talking about any player in question, do people automatically say "oh, they have great numbers... must have been boosted by X"?

Do a little research. Skinner + Jussi Jokinen + Tuomo Ruutu have played together the majorty of the time for the past 2 years. Hence the well known line of Skins and Finns.

Kane plays more of a power game, Skinner plays more of a finesse game...can't simply look at point totals. They both bring more to their respective games than points.

Skinner does not play with Eric Staal. Why, when talking about any player in question, do people automatically say "oh, they have great numbers... must have been boosted by X"?

Do a little research. Skinner + Jussi Jokinen + Tuomo Ruutu have played together the majorty of the time for the past 2 years. Hence the well known line of Skins and Finns.
- psoneill

Okay the line "Skinner plays with Eric Staal" is not entirely accurate. I will change it but what I intended to point out was playing with him as in the same team. It has an effect. Depth of an organization allows match-ups, specific zone starts and more which can be favourable to a player. There is nothing wrong with that and it does not devalue Skinner.

However, look at the talent depth up front between the two teams and before this year Kane had no 'franchise' player in front or around him like Skinner does. Yes the line is as you pointed out it's far superior to Kane, Burmistrov, Antropov or Kane Wellwood Burmistrov.