Thursday, September 28, 2006

 

Mad Money, Bad Money, Rad Money, Sad Money

Let me get this straight.

The LA Kings trade for a goaltender, Dan Cloutier, who is coming off of a major injury, has posted below-average numbers for most of his career, can't stay healthy consistently, and hasn't yet played a game for them...and then they go and give him a 2-year contract extension?

Cloutier will earn $2.55 million this season, the last year of his old deal signed in Vancouver, before his new contract kicks in and pays him $3.1 million per season in 2007-08 and 2008-09
This is just foolish. What does Cloutier have to play for, other than the usual 'pride'? With a glut of solid goalies out there, why would any team commit $3mil a season for Dan Cloutier? So, the Kings are now tied to Cloutier for 3 seasons and, well, good for them. It'll just make it easier for the other Western Conference teams to get ahead of them.

Would Cloutier have earned more than $3mil on the open market? Unlikely. If he did, it would be because he had an unusually good season.

"Oooooh, but look at the shiny wins!!"

Well, he won't be racking up too many of those behind that LA team. Why does Marc Crawford love the guy so much? Does Crow have a fetish we don't know about?

STUPID STUPID STUPID STUPID STUPID STUPID!

In better news, the Dinner Jackets finally got down to signing Nik Zherdev to a contract and now they can begin the process of missing the playoffs for another season.

The Columbus Blue Jackets re-signed right winger Nikolai Zherdev to a $7.5 million, three-year deal on Thursday.

He will earn $1.75 million this season, $2.5 million in 2007-08 and $3.25 million in 2008-09.

''Nikolai is a supremely talented player with the ability to bring fans out of their seats every time he steps on the ice,'' said club President and General Manager Doug MacLean. ''I think this agreement shows the commitment the Blue Jackets have to him and also the commitment he has to our organization and fans. We think this season is going to be our best yet and Nikolai will be a big part of any success we have moving forward.''
I can't say Zherdev has ever brought me out of my seat, couch, or bark lounger, but the figures are reasonable given Zherdev's age and likely progress curve. I can't believe it took them this long to get it done. It's amazing what a major injury to your #1 center can go do your negotiation tactics.

Comments:
Z has brought me out of my seat many times and I am thrilled that he has been resigned. I have to point out that this season is going to be our best yet' is a low target and I hope they are aiming higher, like the playoffs.
Tara
 
I suspect that the impetus for signing now comes largely from using the Lupul signing as a comparable. I don't think Zherdev would really want to go back to Russia, so maybe his agent just figured to fold and get a little more than Lupul did.
 
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