2009 NHL Free Agency Frenzy & Offseason Deals discussion

[Hypnotist]

Have you heard of this Qualifying Offer Mistake By Chicago? Now it seems that Versteeg really signed 3 years deal (3m p/y) as UFA, instead of around 1m p/y as RFA. It's pitty - for Blackhawks GM...

If what the article says is true, Tallon should be sacked without references. This kind of gaff should never happen at the NHL level.

[getzlaf15]

I'm not sure i get this blunder. So even though the Hawks have now signed Barker, could he still become a FA?

[Franck]

Claude the tortoise has retired for good now.

Was one of the most surprising comebacks I've seen in sports.

[getzlaf15]

Another conractual blunder is the Pronger contract. He's signed a 7 year deal with Philly, starting next July, and his contract, when he retires, still counts against the Flyers' cap until the deal is up... That aint good for the Flyers...

[wildiowafan]

Another conractual blunder is the Pronger contract. He's signed a 7 year deal with Philly, starting next July, and his contract, when he retires, still counts against the Flyers' cap until the deal is up... That aint good for the Flyers...

According to espn:

"Pronger will earn $6.5 million this season. The extension will begin in 2010-11. He will make $7.6 million in the first two years, $7.2 million in 2012-13, $7 million in 2013-14, $4 million in 2014-15, and $525,000 in both 2015-16 and 2016-17."

so the last two years are at the league minimum.

[Jypfan92]

Claude the tortoise has retired for good now.

Was one of the most surprising comebacks I've seen in sports.

Yeah, Claude playd ok. When i heard about his comeback, i think that he's going to embarrass his great career (but i hope that he will play well).

[Franck]

Another conractual blunder is the Pronger contract. He's signed a 7 year deal with Philly, starting next July, and his contract, when he retires, still counts against the Flyers' cap until the deal is up... That aint good for the Flyers...

According to espn:

"Pronger will earn $6.5 million this season. The extension will begin in 2010-11. He will make $7.6 million in the first two years, $7.2 million in 2012-13, $7 million in 2013-14, $4 million in 2014-15, and $525,000 in both 2015-16 and 2016-17."

so the last two years are at the league minimum.

But the cap hit will be the same for the entire contract.

[McQwak]

Another conractual blunder is the Pronger contract. He's signed a 7 year deal with Philly, starting next July, and his contract, when he retires, still counts against the Flyers' cap until the deal is up... That aint good for the Flyers...

According to espn:

"Pronger will earn $6.5 million this season. The extension will begin in 2010-11. He will make $7.6 million in the first two years, $7.2 million in 2012-13, $7 million in 2013-14, $4 million in 2014-15, and $525,000 in both 2015-16 and 2016-17."

so the last two years are at the league minimum.

But the cap hit will be the same for the entire contract.

This is the same trick as Hossa did - Bruins72 explained it here. I'm surprised that CBA allows such poor tricks

[Franck]

According to espn:

"Pronger will earn $6.5 million this season. The extension will begin in 2010-11. He will make $7.6 million in the first two years, $7.2 million in 2012-13, $7 million in 2013-14, $4 million in 2014-15, and $525,000 in both 2015-16 and 2016-17."

so the last two years are at the league minimum.

But the cap hit will be the same for the entire contract.

This is the same trick as Hossa did - Bruins72 explained it here. I'm surprised that CBA allows such poor tricks

But with Hossa the contract will end as soon as he retires, something that apparently isn't the case with Pronger.

[Hypnotist]

I'm not sure i get this blunder. So even though the Hawks have now signed Barker, could he still become a FA?

Yeah, it doesn't have anything to do with the contract itself, but the notification of the Qualifying Offer not being delivered before the deadline. Once the deadline is missed, the player is a UFA. The NHLPA's stance is that the players may have left money on the table because other teams weren't able to tender offers. So the contracts could be voided.

[McQwak]

So it's official: Sakic retires
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=4366 ... L|NHL|Home

[philou21]

So it's official: Sakic retires
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=4366 ... L|NHL|Home

An outstanding career, an outstanding man.

[bruins72]

But the cap hit will be the same for the entire contract.

This is the same trick as Hossa did - Bruins72 explained it here. I'm surprised that CBA allows such poor tricks

But with Hossa the contract will end as soon as he retires, something that apparently isn't the case with Pronger.

It has to do with Pronger's age when he signed this deal, I believe. There is something in the CBA stating that if you are of a certain age when you sign a deal, the team is on the hook for all of it. I forget the specifics.

[bruins72]

I'm not sure i get this blunder. So even though the Hawks have now signed Barker, could he still become a FA?

Yeah, it doesn't have anything to do with the contract itself, but the notification of the Qualifying Offer not being delivered before the deadline. Once the deadline is missed, the player is a UFA. The NHLPA's stance is that the players may have left money on the table because other teams weren't able to tender offers. So the contracts could be voided.

From what I read, the mistake was that he sent the offers to the agent by overnight mail instead of faxing them. I guess the offers were filed with the league office on time but the CBA states he's supposed to use a courier or fax to send the offers to the agents. Apparently, he hasn't learned how to use a fax machine yet.

[philou21]

Just see the press conference of Sakic....darn, he was so emotional Even Pierre Lacroix when he do is speach was crying like a baby. The NHL as lost a big one here, but maybe have a new coach.

[stone169]

It's not the first time a GM has messed up on a qualifying offer. Lou Lamarillo did it when we he was late in tendering qualifying offers to Rafalski and Madden. Because of that he had to pay full market value for those two on their second contract.

[Jypfan92]

It's better retire when the time is, like "Gentleman-Sakic" did, not to hang with, like Chelios (still he's one of my favourite players).
Niittymäki goes to KHL (Atlant Mytischi), where he replaces Ray Emery. I don't understand that. Niittymäki wages are even lower (0,5 million dollars) than in NHL (about 0,9 million dollars, i'm not sure). And Why Flyers make contract with Emery? Niittymäki is lots better and one of the best backup-goalies in NHL.
The positive point is that Niittymäki could play in Team Finland at Euro Hockey Tour and Olympics (if Kipper or Bäckstöm is injured (hope that not)) and World Championships.

[Otso]

It's better retire when the time is, like "Gentleman-Sakic" did, not to hang with, like Chelios (still he's one of my favourite players).
Niittymäki goes to KHL (Atlant Mytischi), where he replaces Ray Emery. I don't understand that. Niittymäki wages are even lower (0,5 million dollars) than in NHL (about 0,9 million dollars, i'm not sure). And Why Flyers make contract with Emery? Niittymäki is lots better and one of the best backup-goalies in NHL.
The positive point is that Niittymäki could play in Team Finland at Euro Hockey Tour and Olympics (if Kipper or Bäckstöm is injured (hope that not)) and World Championships.

Maybe he got tired of being a backup goalie, and decided he wants to be a starter. KHL is highly skilled and a great place for Niittymäki in my opinion.

[Jypfan92]

Maybe he got tired of being a backup goalie, and decided he wants to be a starter. KHL is highly skilled and a great place for Niittymäki in my opinion.[/quote]

Yeah, that's true. But I think, that Niittymäki could play 40-50 games. And Manny Fernandez is good backup-goalie who can play 40-50 games too. Cause I think that Emery has learned nothing in KHL.

[Jypfan92]

Penguins sign McKee. That's interesting cause I don't like McKee cause his yearly wages were very big, when he played in Buffalo and St. Louis and his not very good defencer. But that's only my opinion.

[wildiowafan]

It's better retire when the time is, like "Gentleman-Sakic" did, not to hang with, like Chelios (still he's one of my favourite players).
Niittymäki goes to KHL (Atlant Mytischi), where he replaces Ray Emery. I don't understand that. Niittymäki wages are even lower (0,5 million dollars) than in NHL (about 0,9 million dollars, i'm not sure). And Why Flyers make contract with Emery? Niittymäki is lots better and one of the best backup-goalies in NHL.
The positive point is that Niittymäki could play in Team Finland at Euro Hockey Tour and Olympics (if Kipper or Bäckstöm is injured (hope that not)) and World Championships.

Not sure, but NHL.com is reporting Nittymaki to tampa bay

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=436729

[philou21]

Nittymaki as been confirm to Tampa Bay, with Smith and Nitty, this is a good pair of goalie.

[getzlaf15]

Nittymaki as been confirm to Tampa Bay, with Smith and Nitty, this is a good pair of goalie.

Hedman and Ohlund signed up too, with a pretty lethal St. Louis, Lecavlier. We could have a very fierce conference!

[Otso]

Nittymaki as been confirm to Tampa Bay, with Smith and Nitty, this is a good pair of goalie.

Hedman and Ohlund signed up too, with a pretty lethal St. Louis, Lecavlier. We could have a very fierce conference!

I'm looking forward to seeing how Hedman will develop, with Öhlund there to tutor him. Great move from Tampa!

[philou21]

Habs just ink Paul Mara and Travis Moen, great acquisition tough. Bob have taken a lot of redbull these days.