Flames/Canes Post-Game - Refreshing
by Kent Wilson on Feb 4, 2010 7:41 AM PST
71 comments
I managed to catch most of the game at a bar last night. The lure of the new additions was enough to drag me out of the house and away from the radio/blurry internet feed.
I'm glad I made the effort. After stinking up the joint on Monday night, the Flames played what was their best game in weeks (months?). In fact, one could argue that it was a fundamentally different game than the team has been playing through it's recent struggles. which makes sense, I suppose - it' a fundamentally different team.
In direct contrast to their effort versus Philly, the Flames managed to move the puck with speed and precision: break-outs were normally rapid and clean. They made both long and short passes through the neutral zone and were frequently dangerous off of the rush. Their forecheck was a little more forceful, often sending two men into the zone and causing turn-overs around the offensive blueline. As a result, despite spending almost half the evening on the penalty kill, the Flames out-shot the 'Canes 39-28 (29-22 at even-strength). In fact, Calgary managed to get more shots short-handed (7) than Carolina garnered during their various power plays (6). That's a hell of a night.
The effect of pushing guys like Nystrom, Glencross and Boyd down the depth chart last night was obvious. Instead of struggling with ice time and opponents they couldn't handle they were fed the easy minutes and they dominated as a result. Bourque, Boyd and Backlund didn't see a single defensive zone draw. They also mainly played against third liners (although there were a couple of shifts versus Staal in the third). The highly functional fourth line of Glencross, Nystrom and Mayers also had it easy and they they ate their competition for breakfast. Glencross went from looking like a stooge to a superstar in the space of two nights. As we've been saying around here - dude is a great mid-level to bottom-level guy.
Perhaps most impressive, although they didn't register a point, was the duo of Langkow and Higgins. They spent most of the night together, took a bunch of defensive zone face-offs, saw some of both Hurricanes top two lines and finished with a combined corsi of +17. That's means they started in their own zone a bunch, usually against a decent level of competition and still spent most of the evening in the offensive zone. Hard to ask for more than that. Langkow in particular looked like a new man. He made the smart defensive zone plays we've grown to expect and was carrying the puck with conviction through the neutral zone. Higgins did his part too, especially along the boards. Kotalik was the RW on that line and somehow he ended only +2 in terms of possession. Probably an "end of the PK" effect, since Langkow and Higgins played together short-handed. Kotalik didn't impress me as much, but he didn't disappoint me either, which was a pleasant surprise. He kept his game simple, got shots on net when he had the chance and wasn't noticeably bad. I still don't like him being on the second unit, but more performances like that would go a long way to changing my mind.
Iginla and the Leafs also had a good night. They went head-to-head with Staal, were positive in terms of possession and generated a number of quality chances (including Stajans GWG). Iginla looked more like Jarome than Jarmoe, moving the puck through the center of the ice and actually trying to take it to scoring areas (rather than being limited to the periphery).
The only thing to dislike about this game was probably the play of Cory Sarich. I almost think he's trying to force Darryl to trade him. He took a mind-boggling 8 minutes of penalties, all of them deserved. It's been an absolutely miserable season for Sarich all around. I can't imagine him being a Flame come July.
Overall, I as very encouraged by the results. It's one game against a decidedly medicore opponent, but the manner in which the Flames played was pointedly and refreshingly different (ie; better). The Flames acquired no superstars, but it looks like fairly solid group from top to bottom now. One wonders what will happen once Moss and Dawes return.
PS - for a first hand take of the contest. Check out canadiancolts fanshot.
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Nice to hear about good and great play for a change.
by ME-D on Feb 4, 2010 7:47 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Excellent game, save the ridiculous number of penalties, both real and imagined. Sarich needs to be just a little smarter…
by Resolute on Feb 4, 2010 7:51 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Finally a game that was enjoyable to watch! They looked great out there (except for Sarich of course). One must wonder how the Flames always get so many penalties……I know alot of them were deserved, but in comparison to some of the Canes plays that COULD have been penalties it doesn’t add up. You’d think that Auger was reffing or something.
by dotfras on Feb 4, 2010 8:09 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
I’m almost sure that CAR is historically one of the best (“best”) penalty drawers, in fact I believe a lot of rival SE division fans complain about them all the time, they complain especially about Staal being a diver.
We don’t see them very often so I have no idea how true that is (the diving) but there it is.
by R O on Feb 4, 2010 8:16 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
“one of the best” hardly even does it justice, R O. Since the lock out they’ve been 3rd, 2nd, 1st, 1st and 2nd in PP opportunities.
by Robert Cleave on Feb 4, 2010 8:34 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
…and will manage to miss the playoffs in three of those five years along the way
by Robert Cleave on Feb 4, 2010 8:36 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, that’s just crazy. They ought to bring in a PP specialist, they might be one of the few teams who could afford to trade EV outchancing for PP, uh, chancing.
It’s funny because looking at how they do at EV, they’ve been a decent team some seasons but nowhere near wht you’d expect to be able to draw so many penalties. At least when you look at Detroit and their “favoritism” from the refs (let’s just say), a lot of that is attributed to the fact that Detroit’s a terrific skating team.
I seem to recall that Colorado also has a penchant for penalty differential-ing as well, the fuckers.
by R O on Feb 4, 2010 8:39 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Speaking of PP specialists, Kotalik to the Canes for Whitney? Make it happen! :-D
by R O on Feb 4, 2010 8:40 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Well, given their wins have come against two of the laughing stocks of the league, I can’t get too ecstatic yet….but it’s nice to see them actually beat the teams they should be. It was a very well played game last night, don’t get me wrong, but they need to start doing that against teams other than the Canes and Oilers. Florida and TB are definitely beatable (and I hope the Flames absolutely dominate the Lightning), so let’s hope the Flames can pull out wins in both. Then they get the red hot Sens, which will be an awesome game to watch between my two favorite clubs in the league, I can’t wait.
by Icedragon on Feb 4, 2010 8:18 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Yeah. It’s disappointing if Calgary can’t at least be competitive in every game against the Eastern Conference, which is why Monday was so frustrating. But this result is expected and for once the Flames delivered what the fans expected.
I still think Kotalik will end up disappointing but the general consensus seems to be that he had a good game. The stats don’t make him look bad (not that they make anyone look bad, except maybe White?).
by R O on Feb 4, 2010 8:26 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I’ll wait to celebrate until I see it happen with someone other than the Oilers or Hurricanes.
by therealdeal on Feb 4, 2010 8:27 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Little victories: the Flames have won twice in the last three games, which also means they are the proud owners of two winning streaks in the last week.
:)
by R O on Feb 4, 2010 8:43 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
And you know, they have points in 4 of 5…just sayin…
by maimster on Feb 4, 2010 9:05 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
One loss in our last five games. Baby steps, but signs of the turnaround.
by Resolute on Feb 4, 2010 11:17 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Like I said this win is great not only for the fans but more so for the dressing room as a whole. Now this upcoming 3 Game roadie should help this team to bond a way from home, Florida, Tampa Bay are both in the Playoff fight and Ottawa is playing like the Sens of 05-06, 06-07 They’re that good right now.
Now if only McBackup can rise to the challenge and shut down the Kitty’s on Friday.
Somebody needs to turn down the heat in the Darryl Sutter's home.
by CofRed on Feb 4, 2010 9:06 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
I said it a bunch of times last night, and for me it’s a one-game-at-a-time thing. I think Kotalik looked very good. Sure, he looks like a guy who is pressing a little, and with his weight, some of those hits looked scary, but I thought he was good – Hard on the boards, physical, very very soft hands at the point. Got some shots through and was really strong in the third.
He did finish the night with 5 shots, tied with RBQ and Glen X for most on the team, and I thought he looked the most dangerous. Not to take away from GlenX, but his first goal was a bounce off his chest, and third an empty net, which means he’s working, but so were the bounces.
The other player that really impressed me was Backlund. I think he is an NHL’r. Sure he’s young, and needs more strength, needs to be protected, but he’s good. He finds seams well, he backchecks, he moves the puck on the cycle well. He is definitely worth the investment over Lundmark. He is also calming down with each and every game.
White…..he’s brutal. He’s looked bad to my eye in both games. He and Sarich are 5th and 6th in my mind. I don’t know whats wrong with Cory, but man is he struggling. His contract is out of whack, but I don’t see moving him. We’ll get nothing in return, and the 7th and 8th guys are questionable as well. As bad as he is, we wouldn’t get someone of his ability for less money, cause no one is going to make that deal. I think we’re stuck with both of them until summer.
Need a backup though.
by LawrenceS on Feb 4, 2010 9:06 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
The other player that really impressed me was Backlund. I think he is an NHL’r. Sure he’s young, and needs more strength, needs to be protected, but he’s good. He finds seams well, he backchecks, he moves the puck on the cycle well. He is definitely worth the investment over Lundmark. He is also calming down with each and every game.
I think this come’s from not playing with Iginla. Boyd seems like he’s a great linemate and whoever they throw on the left side of those two doesn’t matter, But I agree I just want to see what he can do on this 3 Game road trip and what he can do against possibly are two biggest enemies right now outside of Detroit in Dallas & Anaheim.
Somebody needs to turn down the heat in the Darryl Sutter's home.
by CofRed on Feb 4, 2010 9:09 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Actually, I was just thinking this. You know who Backlund reminds me of?, and I grew up in Vancouver, – Henrik Sedin. Almost identical. When Henrik, especially, first came in the league, EVERYONE hated him…especially him, cause he got about ten goals or less first season. (9 I just checked) I tell you though, if you find video…they skate similarly, the move similarly, they find holes in the same way. I don’t think Backlund will have as high a ceiling, but he was super sharp last night. I kep saying in my head ….“now go there” and he was there. He’s certainly smart enough to be at least a second line NHL centre, we’ll just wait on the rest.
by LawrenceS on Feb 4, 2010 9:17 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I’ve also been pleasantly surprised with Backlund. He has good vision and hands. He stole that puck from Staal last night behind the net and made a scoring chance out of it.
That said, let’s all keep in mind Backlund has had mostly buttery-soft minutes up in town thus far, which helps make players look good. The skills certainly seem evident though. I think one of the reasons he stands out is the Flames have been lacking that sort of presence on the roster all year.
by Kent Wilson on Feb 4, 2010 9:19 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
So if he plays the rest of the way barring if Moss/Dawes get healthy. Does he lose his Calder status for next year?
Somebody needs to turn down the heat in the Darryl Sutter's home.
by CofRed on Feb 4, 2010 9:22 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Yes. I think the cut off is 20 games.
by Kent Wilson on Feb 4, 2010 9:26 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for the props
What is the cut off to start the entry level contract, is it 10 pro games or 10 NHL games. If he has already started the clock on his entry level deal then I say keep him up but give in the buttery soft minutes as many have said.
by canadiancolts on Feb 4, 2010 9:35 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
The clock is started, because he’s out of junior eligibility.
by Robert Cleave on Feb 4, 2010 9:39 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
or “has started”, Robert. Jeezus.
by Robert Cleave on Feb 4, 2010 9:42 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
That said, let’s all keep in mind Backlund has had mostly buttery-soft minutes up in town thus far, which helps make players look good. The skills certainly seem evident though.
Well, of course. Playing with RBQ probably doesn’t hurt either, but that’s the point, and it was the same with the Sedins. You gotta put them in situations where they can thrive, build and learn. When you’re in over your head, that doesn’t happen. The Flames can afford to put him on a third line, and move him in and out of the line-up as seems fit. The rest will come with training, conditioning and coaching. Like most kids out of Sweden, he certainly has the brains for it.
I can tell you this, if I were Daz, he’d never go back to the farm, unless he runs through a “lack of confidence spell” down the road. I don’t think he’ll play much come playoffs, but it should be “aggressive development” time for Backlund.
by LawrenceS on Feb 4, 2010 9:32 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Yup, I agree. In fact, it looks to me like the team has decided to keep him up given that Lundmark is now sitting.
by Kent Wilson on Feb 4, 2010 10:07 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I can tell you this, if I were Daz, he’d never go back to the farm
Except during the Olympic break… no sense having him make NHL money, count against the cap, and not play when you could ship him back to Abby for a few weeks give him some more icetime and save a few bucks.
by Parallex on Feb 4, 2010 10:09 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
He might well do that until the NHLers can practice again on the 24th. He could go play 4 or 5 games, and come back to Calgary on either the 22nd or 25th. It would save the team around 40-50k in real dollars. They don’t look like they’ll be capped like last year, but if you don’t mind the kid getting some extra work and saving a few bucks, the only downside would be a potential injury.
by Robert Cleave on Feb 4, 2010 10:26 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Looks like that’s what their going to do…
Jaffray on Trades
Heat forward Jason Jaffray, who had a brief two-game call up in January, weighed in on all the recent Flames transactions.
"I don’t think its’ really rattled a lot of guys, I think if anything it kind of settled everybody down," Jaffray said. "With the situation now there’s not going to be a whole lot of movement. They’ve got 17 forwards (in Calgary) and a solid seven defenceman.
"The only guy who can come down without clearing waivers is (Mikael) Backlund and by talking to him I don’t think we’re going to see him until the Olympic break."
http://flames.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=516155&navid=DL|CGY|home
by Parallex on Feb 4, 2010 1:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think Backlund will have as high a ceiling
I’m glad you said this, otherwise them’s fighting words :)
Before the Sedins came to the NHL I believe he had a bunch of historical accomplishments. Aside from their draft pedigree I believe they finiished something like top 5/10/15/20 in rookie scoring in the SEL. I don’t remember which but I recall it being mentioned as being a hell of an accomplishment, right up there with the Forsbergs.
Now if I recall Backlund didn’t similarly kill the SEL, there were reports of disinterest or whatnot. Not that I really believe this, ineffectivenss is mistaken for disinterest all the time.
I think the biggest thing hanging around Backlund’s neck is his injury. The Flames got exactly neutral value for their Backlund pick, I think, a high-skill guy robbed of development time. Interesting now if he will make up for it, history says “probably not” and we’ll see in the next few seasons if he can keep up with the speed of the pro game. That’s the first and most important hurdle.
by R O on Feb 4, 2010 10:06 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Backlund didn’t play in the SEL. He played in the Allvalsdkjalsfjla (WI will come around to correct me) which is the second tier league. Still professional, but not elite. Berglund knocked it out of the park as teen there, but Backlund never did much,
by Kent Wilson on Feb 4, 2010 10:09 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Ah thanks for the clarification. Even more the worse, I would imagine, not given the opportunity to play against men.
by R O on Feb 4, 2010 10:11 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
No it’s an adult league, IIRC. Are the European hockey teams teams like some other sports where teams have to qualify to play in the top league? I thought it was something like that.
by Parallex on Feb 4, 2010 10:14 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Yup. It’s like football over there. The AllSvenskan or whatever it is would be like the Championship in English football. In other words, Sweden’s equivalent of the AHL with relegation/promotion potential.
by Robert Cleave on Feb 4, 2010 10:22 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Pretty much. Getting around the relegation/promotion mess that European sport is, Backlund was effectively playing minor pro hockey over there.
by Resolute on Feb 4, 2010 11:19 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Butter has put White in over his head. First pairing with Regehr against tough match-ups is too much for him.
Frankly, I’d prefer to see Bouwmeester and Giordano as first pairing, followed by Reggie and White second pairing and then Sarich/Pardy/whoever on the third.
by Kent Wilson on Feb 4, 2010 9:16 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
That sounds reasonable
Though the way Sarich has been going, maybe it is Pardy/whoever.
by brisulph on Feb 4, 2010 9:21 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Did you notice that Regehr & J-bouw where together alot. If that stays then that pairing can eat 27-30 minutes a night, with Gio and Pardy getting about 20 minutes. Leaving the rest for Sarich/White about 10-14 minutes.
One caveat, that this would be assuming a game with no PP or PK as Gio/White/J-Bouw would get the majority of PP time.
by canadiancolts on Feb 4, 2010 9:38 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
This is where Sarich being lousy is such a drag. If he was playing at a top 4 level, you could go;
Reggie-JB
Gio-Sarich
Pardy-White
Those pairings have the right sort of mix and would seem to match ability to competition, but Sarich can’t seem to get to that level this season.
by Robert Cleave on Feb 4, 2010 9:38 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Right now
You have to switch Sarich and Pardy.
by canadiancolts on Feb 4, 2010 9:39 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Correct. I like Adam Pardy just fine as a third pairing guy. I think he’s overmatched much beyond that, but Sarich’s play limits the options, which is also why White is in the position he’s in.
by Robert Cleave on Feb 4, 2010 9:41 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I think you’ve got it bang on Robert. I’d move forward with that for two or three games. You can’t put Gio and White together, (especially on the road) they’re too small and they would be targeted.
by LawrenceS on Feb 4, 2010 9:43 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I think the bottom-4 D issues will be glossed over if the forwards on this team start playing well. I believe that’s how San Jose managed to turn their young underachieving defence corps into world-beaters when Thornton came into town.
In any case JayBouw’s awesome and always makes his partner better, so you can pair him with just about anyone. Beyond that, hope for one of Regehr and Sarich to recover – if it happens we’re laughing.
by R O on Feb 4, 2010 10:10 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t know whats wrong with Cory, but man is he struggling.
My theory: The injury he had last year, it’s THE injury, you know the one that you recover from but your not quite ever the same afterwards. Leg/Foot injury so that means his skating isn’t as good which means that he has to cheat more and he gets caught cheating more meaning more positional breakdowns and own zone penalties.
Just a theory.
by Parallex on Feb 4, 2010 9:37 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Looks like Regehr might have THE injury as well then. And dear god, I hope that’s not the case.
Like THE elbow to the face the destroyed German Titov.
by LawrenceS on Feb 4, 2010 9:39 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I think the problem with Regehr was Phaneuf. He’s looked a lot more comfortable the last two games not that he doesn’t have to make up for Dion’s lapse’s defensively.
But only time will tell if that was the problem.
Somebody needs to turn down the heat in the Darryl Sutter's home.
by CofRed on Feb 4, 2010 9:46 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Not Now*
Somebody needs to turn down the heat in the Darryl Sutter's home.
by CofRed on Feb 4, 2010 9:47 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Nope. Say what you will about Dion now that he’s gone, or even when he was here, but first, he hasn’t looked better when partnered with White
and most importantly,
Regehr was certainly doing a perfectly fine job struggling on his own, regardless of what Dion was doing.
by LawrenceS on Feb 4, 2010 11:20 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah. Teams were actively targeting Regehr I think.
by Kent Wilson on Feb 4, 2010 12:13 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Fully subscribe, both look weaker this season than last.
by R O on Feb 4, 2010 10:07 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
take this win with a grain of salt, guys…… it’s caro-freakin-lina not the hawks…. i would say it was a very good step forward for the flames but i also think there were stretches where they didn’t look that much better than the opposition.
by walkinvisible on Feb 4, 2010 9:54 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
The nice thing about the massive overhaul is that I can look forward to games against the Hawks again without a complete sense of impending doom. There’s still a sense of doom (befitting their status as powerhouse) but not complete doom.
by Parallex on Feb 4, 2010 9:59 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed if these new guys can start fitting in, Look out because with these deals the Flames can easily make a run at Vancouver because realistically 4th place is out of reach the way Phoenix is playing.
Somebody needs to turn down the heat in the Darryl Sutter's home.
by CofRed on Feb 4, 2010 10:32 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Well, this was one of those games where winning it doesn’t mean much, but losing it would have been an absolute disaster. So with that in mind it was a fantastic win, if only because it helped to avert such a disaster.
by Avalain on Feb 4, 2010 10:36 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
That’s a fair point, but my rebuttal is: We haven’t looked like world-beaters lately. Hell, we haven’t looked like AHL-beaters lately. At least we comfortably looked like Carolina-beaters last night, who likely aren’t as bad as the standings might suggest.
I mean, hell, Carolina DID just beat the Black-freakin-Hawks 5 days ago 4-2.
by LawrenceS on Feb 4, 2010 11:27 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Plus, the Hurricanes are not as bad as their record suggests. They had long term injuries to both Ward and Stall. Losing two players of that caliber will hurt pretty much every team.
Go Flames Go
Where Ales Kotalik is the saviour of the franchise. Yuck.
by Justin Azevedo on Feb 4, 2010 12:06 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
A little off topic but apparently Ilya Kovalchuk turned down a 12 Year/101 Million dollar deal.
http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=308935
Somebody needs to turn down the heat in the Darryl Sutter's home.
by CofRed on Feb 4, 2010 12:14 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Does this strike anyone else as massively stupid? I mean, I guess maybe I’m the idiot assuming that the GM’s will not already know what Waddell offered, but if I were trying to trade Kovalchuk I’d be all “mom’s the word” on what kind of absurd offers he had turned down.
I’m thinking this info would eliminate many teams from contention, if they didn’t already know. What does he want the team maximum, which is like 11.25/year this year? You can’t go much higher from 10mil/year…on their 70mil. offer. I mean….I guess you can go to 11? Crazy, he ain’t worth more than Ovechkin.
by LawrenceS on Feb 4, 2010 12:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I think it’s stupid on both sides.
On Kovalchuk: I understand and accept and even endorse that these guys need to be paid. But two things. One, nobody is going to pay Kovalchuk league max for a 12 year contract, the whole point of the 12 year contract is to reduce cap hit while still giving you your money right-the-fuck-now. Two, what is the offer he is looking for? Whatever it is it can’t realistically be more than $10-15 million more than the $101 million offer, at that point I wonder what the marginal utility of that extra ten mill is really worth to him. Sounds to me like he’s trying to win a dick-measuring contest.
On Waddell/Atlanta ownership: If you want hockey to have a chance in ATL, just pay the fucker. He’s got your balls in a vice, he’s probably the only reason half the fans in that building still show up. He’s most certainly not a difference maker on the $10M level but man, the bottom line is ticket sales. Keep the fan attraction, bite the bullet on him, and build a tough-minutes line that can drive possession. Surely the goals Ilya will score on a soft-minute line could make up for the fact that you’ll have deficient third/fourth line depth.
Just a clusterfuck in all directions.
by R O on Feb 4, 2010 12:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I comment here that I don’t think it’s a matter of Kovalchuk demanding that kind of money from everyone. He’s just demanding it of Atlanta.
by Kent Wilson on Feb 4, 2010 12:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed definitely. I can only assume this is true from Kovalchuk. Seriously, if he gets this offer from LA, Det, NYR, Toronto and Mtrl (maybe) no way he says no.
However, if I am an NHL GM, I, like Waddell, have to consider my fans as well, and these fans are going to also want to keep Kovalchuk, and likely won’t want him to just be a rental. Compound this with the fact that if he goes to Chicago, he is seen as the guy that brings them the cup, if they get it. No way the team that acquires him doesn’t have an intention to at least attempt to sign him.
Therefore, because of this, I think Waddell may be dying by the sword. He’s trying to sell the fans on the “greed” factor, and doesn’t care if he screws them any other way, cause they’re screwed anyway.
It still makes me nervous if I’m a GM considering acquiring Kovy. Suddenly, the pick I was going to offer, just drops a round or two, cause I’m certainly not going to be the guy that bites, and then gets eaten. Way too much risk.
by LawrenceS on Feb 4, 2010 1:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think anyone other than Atl would offer him more than 8.5 million a year, and even that is a ludicrous amount to pay for the guy.
by SmellOfVictory on Feb 4, 2010 2:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Jonathan Willis says it’s damage control from Waddell’s point of view. he figures the ATL GM has figured out he won’t be able to keep Kovalchuk, so leaking apparently exorbitant demands will placate the fans when the inevitable trade comes down. That’s probably accurate.
And I doubt this does anything to Kovalchuk’s worth on the trade market. Many teams will be looking to simply rent him anyways – his summer demands will be considered irrelevant. Hell, the fact that he’s a rental might be a boon to some clubs that have to shed salary anyways. Think CHI.
by Kent Wilson on Feb 4, 2010 12:50 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Unless Campbell is part of the package wouldn’t Chicago be better served just peddling what contracts they have to shed (Quality pieces from what I understand) for draft picks? You could build a generational team that way (Core + value contracts on the prospects from the draft)
by Parallex on Feb 4, 2010 1:33 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Totally, I read that recently as the smartest way and I agree. It makes little sense to trade off very good pieces for a rental and end up with zipp at the end of the year.
Plus they have amazing chemistry right now and why would you F with that?
by 44stampede on Feb 4, 2010 5:46 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Fair enough. However, unless you’re getting first round draft picks, you’re basically getting nothing at all – say a 25% chance (or lower) at an NHL player. That said, something is better than nothing I guess.
by Kent Wilson on Feb 5, 2010 10:52 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Certainly, there’s a lot of risk with lower draft picks, but with benefits, as well: you get to develop the player in your own system, and indoctrinate (for lack of a better word) them to increase the likelihood that they’ll form stronger ties to your organization – increased potential for discounted salary, etc.
by SmellOfVictory on Feb 5, 2010 11:18 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
On the leak of his demands… yes I think Waddell is just trying to do pre-damage control. I’d still wait until after he’s gone before revealing his asking price, if the fans buy it now they’d buy it afterwards and even if the likelihood that the information you reveal doesn’t hurt his trade value is small why take the chance?
by Parallex on Feb 4, 2010 1:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
*hurts his trade value
Fuck, I can’t make a proper sentence lately to save my life.
by Parallex on Feb 4, 2010 1:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Seems more like it’s just being informative if he releases the info now. If he does it after Kovalchuk leaves it looks like he’s making excuses. I hope he gets a decent return for renting Kovalchuk this season, for Atlanta’s sake. There are only so many times a city can fail to keep a team.
by SmellOfVictory on Feb 4, 2010 2:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
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