Senators re-sign Condra to two-year, one-way deal
by Peter Raaymakers on Jul 6, 2011 4:15 PM EDT
in Ottawa Senators breaking news
Email
PrintThe Ottawa Senators took care of another restricted free agent on Wednesday afternoon, re-signing winger Erik Condra to a two-year, one-way deal. We're still waiting to hear what the cap hit of the deal will be. Expect the deal to fall in the same range as that of Colin Greening, who signed earlier this summer with a cap hit of $817k.
Update: TSN is reporting the deal has a cap hit of $625,000.
AnaCondra split last season between Binghamton and Ottawa, recording 17-30=47 in the 55 AHL games and 6-5=11 in 26 NHL games. It's tough to say where he'll slot into the lineup this season, but barring injury to one of the team's top scorers, it seems likely he'll play on the third or perhaps fourth line.
The Senators still have a number of free agents awaiting contracts, including most importantly Bobby Butler but also Roman Wick, Kaspars Daugavins, Jason Bailey, and Geoff Kinrade. On the plus side, it's unlikely any of them will be tendered offer sheets from opposition teams. (Well, unless cap-floor teams get absolutely nutty.)
161 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I really liked watching Condra last season in Ottawa, and can’t wait to see him this year. I think he was part of the reason that Chris Kelly became expendable — just a dependable two-way player with a great head for the game.
Silver Seven: the Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators blogs.
Good signing, got to be a trade now though
After Butler is signed, we will have 12 one-way contracts to forwards plus Filatov. Assuming Filatov plays every night, we are paying someone an NHL salary to sit every night. Then if we call up someone from AHL, we will have 2 NHL contracts sitting.
Still I like Condra though. Foligno-Smith-Condra should be a good third line.
An Ottawa Senators supporter in Toronto, Ontario. I am cool like that.
by Adnan on Jul 6, 2011 4:38 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Generally speaking, the Senators always pay someone an NHL salary to sit every night. There’s usually one or two forwards scratched.
Silver Seven: the Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators blogs.
I guess that is true
But still a ton of one-way deals, my guess is someone will be traded before season opener. If we want to call up a couple guys, then we are benching 3. Doesn’t seem feasible to have so many one-way.
An Ottawa Senators supporter in Toronto, Ontario. I am cool like that.
by Adnan on Jul 6, 2011 4:58 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I think if you look around the league, you’ll find that having 12 guys on one-way contracts and one two-way guy in the forward lineup is not out of the ordinary.
Silver Seven: the Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators blogs.
how many guys
get one ways when they only have had 1-2 pro seasons under their belt, and 30 odd NHL tryout games in a lame duck season?
by DontfeedtheBelak on Jul 6, 2011 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Couldn’t tell you. But how many teams have as weak of a forward crop as this year’s Senators?
Silver Seven: the Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators blogs.
so the answer is
guarantee a bunch of NHL contracts to guys from last year?? To guys with less than half a season of NHL experience????
by DontfeedtheBelak on Jul 6, 2011 6:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes
Guarantee short, cheap contracts to players developing in our system and hope that they continue to develop as well as they have been since entering the system.
It’s not that crazy. If this team wanted to gear up for a playoff run, they missed out on the names that would have been necessary.
Silver Seven | Twitter | Facebook | E-mail | eBay
by Peter Raaymakers on Jul 6, 2011 6:47 PM EDT up reply actions
i don't follow
this team is not gearing up for a run, so i agree there is no sense to signing overpriced vets, and letting the youth fight it out.
how does guaranteed short cheap contracts to players who have done little to warant it, help?
Jim Obrien has had more time as a pro, if he outplays Condra/Greening/Smith/Butler in camp, does he make the team iver any one of them? Or does the one ways ensure the Glorious Unprovens make the team automatically?
Wick and Hoffman may have a great camp, maybe one of 2011 first rounders. Then what? You would bury three to five one ways in the AHL?
Collecting short, cheap, lower tier players on guaranteed NHL contracts doesn’t make us a better team. I live in Nashville, and they have a comparable problem: they develop great D minded forwards, but you can only dress six bottom six players.
“hope they continue to develop”….um, this can happen on two way deals, too you know.
by DontfeedtheBelak on Jul 6, 2011 7:14 PM EDT up reply actions
I just don't get the 'sky is falling' reaction
This is not an unusual way to manage a team. We would all be overjoyed if Zibanejad or Da Costa or O’Brien came in and outplayed some of the guys on one-way deals, but the likelihood of that happening just isn’t there.
One of two things will happen with the Glorious Unprovens: They will either become glorious provens assert themselves as NHL-calibre players, or they won’t and their contract will expire by the time the next batch of glorious unprovens comes along. So where’s the problem?
Silver Seven | Twitter | Facebook | E-mail | eBay
by Peter Raaymakers on Jul 6, 2011 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions
its not catastrophic
but it does kind of hinder the flexibility to keep strong performers from the preseason. we have one forward spot open for mika z., da costa, petersson, hoffman, o brien et al.
im pretty sure condra and greening werent holding out for one-way deals. why not keep as many rosters spots as possible theoretically open to encourage competition at camp?
by Buz Killington on Jul 6, 2011 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions
I think competition will still be there in camp. Just because you have a one-way contract doesn’t mean you’re in the lineup.
Silver Seven: the Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators blogs.
Really?
I’m pretty sure they were holding out for one-way deal, otherwise they would have signed their qualifying offers—which might have come with higher salaries than the deals they signed.
Silver Seven | Twitter | Facebook | E-mail | eBay
by Peter Raaymakers on Jul 6, 2011 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions
One-way contracts
Aren’t guaranteed spots. At the price of Konopka or Condra or any of a number of them, the decision to send them to Bingo isn’t going to be how much they are paid there versus here. It delayed CheeChoo being sent down, but not forever.
Technically we are $1.2 million under but
If either Rundblad, Cowen or Filatov make the team, we’ll be over the floor. Or if Butler gets $1.2 million.
An Ottawa Senators supporter in Toronto, Ontario. I am cool like that.
GENERIC OUTRAGE ABOUT A ONE-WAY DEAL MAYBE AFFECTING ANOTHER ONE-WAY DEAL
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
by Mark Parisi on Jul 6, 2011 5:00 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
That's what we're doing with these signings, right?
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
I'm getting a little worried about the number of one-ways for a rebuilding team
But I can’t say I’ve got a huge issue with any specific one-way contract that’s been signed.
by B_T on Jul 6, 2011 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions
In all seriousness, it's enough to raise my eyebrow
But not really more than that. Murray has a team makeup in mind, and I’m comfortable finding out who can play and who can’t this year. This is not a Stanley Cup contender, so let’s find out if Condra and Greening and the like are NHL guys—this is the year to make that investment, and if it means a guy like Winchester has to battle for a spot, oh well. I don’t like the thought of handing a roster spot to anyone.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
I have no problem with this contract or Greening's
It was the Konopka one that made no sense, to me anyway.
An Ottawa Senators supporter in Toronto, Ontario. I am cool like that.
It doesn't make sense to me either, but I'm willing to at least wait through camp before trying to figure it out
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
Hey, that's my comment!
Kidding I actually have no problem with this. Apparently I just dislike new faces.
Oh Captain, my Captain!
Well done
Rec’d
Here’s what I’m thinking: The ‘young guys we need to have spots for’ are the young guys we’re giving these contracts to: Greening, Condra, and Butler. After them, we’ve got a few potential top-six players fighting for one spot: Foligno, Regin, Da Costa, Filatov.
What’s the problem, exactly?
Silver Seven | Twitter | Facebook | E-mail | eBay
by Peter Raaymakers on Jul 6, 2011 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Especially in the first official year of Senate Reform
You want to be an NHL player? Here’s your opportunity. Prove it.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
I like Condra
more than greening, and even more than Smith,
but the one-ways sort of take some of the fire out of the belly of guys who otherwise would have to fight for the NHL money. I think part of the reason why Greening, Condra, Butler, Shannon, and Smith had good finishes was that they were playing to impress. I hope this one way binge doesn’t prevent the team from keeping a Hoffman, Wick, Daugavins, Obrien, Zibs, or Silfverberg (if he’s even here) in the NHL,if they earn their way during camp.
This is analagous to when Fisher, Spezza, Heatley, Phillips, and Volchenkov all got extended in 2007……they all deserved it, but there was a noticable step down in their play (Volchie, not that noticable, but his best year was clearly 2006-2007)……hungry players tend to play harder, to earn their payday.
On a rebuilding team, no need to guarantee anything, especially to guys who had only part of one NHL season under their belt. They may prove useful and valuable NHLers, they may prove to be more like Winchester, who really is more of a tweener.
by DontfeedtheBelak on Jul 6, 2011 5:50 PM EDT reply actions
I think that's an oversimplifiction
Fisher’s best season with the Senators, for instance, was 53 points in ‘09-10. Spezza just matured before our eyes into the next captain of the team because of his dedication to improve his faceoffs, defense, and penalty killing abilities. Even Heatley’s points per game of 1.15 in ‘07-08 wasn’t far off from his pre-contract numbers.
I would hardly describe any of those guys as having “a noticeable step down in their play” after their contracts.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
And it’s not like these guys are making a mint. $625,000 isn’t a lot of money when it comes to NHL salary, so these guys will still be hungry to prove they’re worth their next contract.
Exactly
Obviously it’s a lot of money, but there is a lot more available if they’re able to continue working as hard as they have been.
Silver Seven | Twitter | Facebook | E-mail | eBay
by Peter Raaymakers on Jul 6, 2011 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions
c'mon
Fisher in the two post lockout years was a beast, a Selke guy and a dominant second line center. Spezza was a 90 point guy, and Heatley was a 50 goal guy. Phillips and Volchenkov were talked about as the top shutdown D in the game (and the hockey news named Phillips #2 in their Defensive D tally). “wasn’t far off”, was still a dropoff, in the negative direction.
Condra, Greening, Smith, Butler, just because their entry deals expired, doesn’t mean that they can’t have another two way deal. Today even, SJ signed Greiss to a second contract with two way possibility. And he’s more established at the AHL and NHL level than any of our Calder Cup Heros.
This isn’t a bad thing next year. Its the years after, when we may have 3-4 Winchesters clogging up roster spots, with Silfverbergs, Peumpels, Noesons, Princes, and Zibs waiting in the wings.
by DontfeedtheBelak on Jul 6, 2011 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions
I want to understand your thresholds here
For Fisher, it’s defensive play because his point production increased, but for Spezza, it’s point production because his defensive play got better.
Feels like you’re simply ignoring the facts that don’t support your opinion rather than making any kind of fair evaluation to me.
I also feel you’re making all kinds of unreasonable assumptions in arguing against the contracts being signed right now. To wit: All current players are no better than Jesse Winchester, while all future players will definitely be better. That’s a really massive leap of logic, dude.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
when do you think
heatley, spezza, phillips, volchenkov, and fisher had their best year?
Fisher: 48 pts in 68 games, 22 goals, +15, great playoff run, or
Fisher: career high 53 pts in 78 games, +1?
Are you blindly going to look at the points and disregard the games and plus minus and the PK/physical play (he was decidedly less physical in the past couple of years), because it clouds your simplistic ‘just look at the total points, dude’ argument?
I am not ignoring facts, I am just countering your (weak) assumptions and your leap of logic.
Here is the point: there is no guarantee that Condra/Greening/Smith, or Wick/Butler/2011 first rounders, or Obrien/Daugavins/Capporrusso, deserve to be on the Sens 2011-2012 squad, or similar, better, or worse than Winchester. Jesse Winchester himself didn’t deserve a two year, one way extension in july 2010. The solution isn’t to repeat the same mistake, and hope some one shows up. The solution is to make sure they show up, and play their way here.
by DontfeedtheBelak on Jul 6, 2011 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions
So what do you propose?
What do you think would be a better course of action?
Silver Seven | Twitter | Facebook | E-mail | eBay
by Peter Raaymakers on Jul 6, 2011 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions
two way second contract
to guys who clearly aren’t established NHLers.
I was okay on the one way contracts for Foligno, and I was borderline on Regin (the playoff series aside, he played weakass QofC all year long), but firmly against Winchester and Lee. They didn’t seem to matter at the time, but it causes a mass of bodies now that Rundblad and Cowen (and who knows, Boroweicki) are prime to pass Lee up, and Winchester, Konopka, Smith, Condra, Greening, Regin, Neil, take up guaranteed NHL spots (or at least NHL money) with O’Brien, Daugavins (payed their dues), Zibs, Puempel, Noesen, Silfverberg, Da Costa, and maybe even Wick available to fight for NHL time.
If any of the guys fail in camp or during the year, its that much easier to send them down to call up a more deserving guy.
by DontfeedtheBelak on Jul 6, 2011 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions
That would be great
But it hardly ever happens.
Unless there’s little to no chance they’ll play in the NHL, players don’t usually sign two-way deals after finishing their entry-level contracts. I’m just scanning through CapGeek to see some examples, and it didn’t happen to Matt Beleskey (ANA), Cody McCormick (BUF), Jiri Tlusty (CAR), Pat Dwyer (CAR), Derek Dorsett (CMB), Jared Boll (CMB)… I could continue to go on, but that’s just an unscientific look at the first few teams in an alphabetical list.
You mentioned Greiss signing a two-way deal, but goaltenders are different than skaters.
Silver Seven | Twitter | Facebook | E-mail | eBay
by Peter Raaymakers on Jul 6, 2011 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions
how many
pro years did those guys have under their belt?
How many NHL games played?
You REALLY think cody mccomirck is similarly established as an NHLer as Greening and Condra?
by DontfeedtheBelak on Jul 6, 2011 8:08 PM EDT up reply actions
This isn't really a counter-argument
I’d much rather see you show me a list of players who have had similar pro experience as Condra and Greening who received two-way deals after finishing their entry-level contracts.
Silver Seven | Twitter | Facebook | E-mail | eBay
by Peter Raaymakers on Jul 6, 2011 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions
can you show me
guys with 2 pro years or less, with 30 games or less, that were given freebie one way deals?
Khodobin had more pro experience than The Glorious Unprovens and just re upped 1 year, 2 way.
Potulny, Bourque, Sabourin, Richmond (Caps) each had MORE pro and NHL experience when their ELCs expired and signed two way deals.
Our great Havlat hope Josh Hennesssy re-upped in our system (in the dog days of prospects) in 2008 with 3 full AHL years under his belt.
etc etc
by DontfeedtheBelak on Jul 6, 2011 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions
The thing you forget too is Condra and Greening are older prospects, having gone through University first. I saw someone mention earlier how O’Brien had been in the system longer than both, but he also didn’t go to university and is younger.
by modsuperstar on Jul 6, 2011 10:28 PM EDT up reply actions
here in nashville
teemu laakso re-upped two way,
and he is a good young D, on a team with several good D prospects.
Hence, they didn’t guarantee him.
more experience pro than our boys.
by DontfeedtheBelak on Jul 6, 2011 9:10 PM EDT up reply actions
What Peter thinks of Cody McCormick isn't relevant to his point
Which, was “Unless there’s little to no chance they’ll play in the NHL, players don’t usually sign two-way deals after finishing their entry-level contracts.”
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
I'm skeptical that a two-way contract somehow motivates players to "show up"
Do you have facts to back this up, or is it just an opinion? I’m having a hard time thinking of a situation where a two-way deal motivated a guy to make a team, though I can think of two examples off of the top of my head where it failed: Brian Lee and Nikita Filatov.
To be clear: I’m not attacking you here. I’m open to your claim, I’m just curious if there’s supporting evidence.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
Gut Call
To be fair, one cannot easily prove nor disprove whether a player “shows up” because of one or two way contracts. Maybe it’s a great sex life.
Its a gut call and you will notice Murray has a significant gut to go by.:-)
I think that's my point, though
I don’t see how the claim can be taken seriously if it can’t be supported factually.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
Murray's gut or sex life?
I agree. I’m fine with the contracts (am I getting any of the money?). Now we’ll see if they pan out, a year or two from now. I think they will.
The main point by Belak I think is what do you do with the players if they don’t work out? The answer is, trade them or put them on waiver.
Well... have you SEEN Murrays gut or you just guessing it's big 'cause he's old? :)
DFTB has a valid point conceptually. It’s his assessment of the players that I’m confused by.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
They have played so few games
as you have stated before, and as have I,
you can’t judge them to be NHL players.
There is a reason why ELCs are mandatory two way.
It would be catastrophically bad business to guarantee those dollars to unproven kids.
In a similar, but less drastic vein, its bad management to hand out one way contracts like free candy to guys who you hope may be NHLers, when you could actually see, over the course of the next 1-2 years, whether they are actually NHL calibre, as they settle into their roles, here or the AHL.
by DontfeedtheBelak on Jul 6, 2011 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions
RFA Rules
Being RFAs, doesn’t it mean other teams can sign them and compensate Ottawa depending on how much the signings are for?
What do you guys think, will other teams sign them for say $800K to $1 mil and we get what, a 3rd or 4th round pick in return? If so, signing them is definitely a no brainer.
There is no compensation for a cap hit under $1,034,249
An Ottawa Senators supporter in Toronto, Ontario. I am cool like that.
Right call
Then, IMO, Murray’s call is more than correct in protecting the team’s assets. You don’t want to take any chance losing these young pistols.
Agreed 100%
Asset protection, good for the franchise.
Asset overvaluation, not so much.
by DontfeedtheBelak on Jul 6, 2011 9:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Matter of opinion
We obviously disagree. Not sure we can convince each other, except wait for the season to start and end….unless you want to arm wrestle me?
See
here is a reasonable scenario. If GMBM had to match a one-way offer made on one of his RFAS, thereby guaranteeing them NHL money, and he valued the prospect enough to match,
then the one way is totally justified.
Though in this climate what GM would make an offer on Greening and Condra, with only 30 games experience, and 2 years pro, is a matter of debate.
Handing out contracts that are above what is necessary, never a good thing. Daigle, Alex.
Lee, Brian. Winchester, Brian. Kovalev, Alex. Gonchar, Sergei. And the tradition lives on with the Glorious Unprovens.
by DontfeedtheBelak on Jul 6, 2011 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Write a fanpost
This medium is not favouring you argument.
Silver Seven | Twitter | Facebook | E-mail | eBay
by Peter Raaymakers on Jul 6, 2011 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions
use that logic
and apply it to GMBM:
if you don’t know that these guys are NHL guys (based on the fact they have played far too few games to judge, as you and I have said elsewhere),
how can you support GMBM’s claim that they are NHLers and take it seriously? His one way guaranteed contracts stake out this claim, though it can’t be supported factually.
by DontfeedtheBelak on Jul 6, 2011 8:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, I don't support Murray's claim, as you put it
Again, I view these short-term, low-dollar contracts as the opportunity to prove that they are NHL guys.
I take Murray’s opinion more seriously than yours or my own because he has a large staff in place whose sole job it is to evaluate players. Clearly, they as a staff saw enough potential in the games played last year to believe the players signed earned a shot this year. Since they’re dedicated professionals and we’re just fans, I find their opinions to be more credible. I don’t think that’s unreasonable.
I wouldn’t second-guess a police officer because I watch crime shows on TV, after all.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
how then
is your opinion more valid than mine?
Were you on his staff on one point?
Lemme guess: you were involved in Lee, Winchester, Gonchar, Kovalev, and Co. signings that helped take us from a annual contender to a bottom-feeder.
I see why you trust his NHL decisions. They have worked out so far. Mike Milbury had a job and staff too, therefore he was credible.
by DontfeedtheBelak on Jul 6, 2011 9:14 PM EDT up reply actions
I didn't say anywhere that my opinion was more valid than yours
Mike Milbury is irrelevant. He did not have the same staff as Murray, so any comparison between the two is impossible.
I understand that you do not care for Bryan Murray, but if you can’t continue this discussion without discussing what has actually been said, then you need to consider walking away from it.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
you said
you take murray more seriously because he had a large staff whose job it was to evaluate players.
You fail to realize that 30 teams have dedicated staffs, and 24 of those teams faired better than us last year, this staff go the team to go from annual playoff appearances (11 in a row) to missing the playoffs in spectacular fashion 2 of 3 years.
so, if you trust Murray because: one, large staff, and two: dedicated job, and 3) responsibility to evaluate players, my counter is mike milbury. Just because they have a large staff, doesn’t mean they know what they are doing. And if they do, then what tough luck, that 80% of their peers are doing their jobs better.
Just because they hand out one way contracts like candy doesn’t make their decisions justified.
by DontfeedtheBelak on Jul 6, 2011 9:27 PM EDT up reply actions
What I said was that I take Murray more seriously than you or I because of the resources he has
The difference is that Murray’s staff seems to have a good handle on evaluating young players
Players such as Karlsson, Rundblad, Lehner and Butler seem to show that to me. I believe you’re also pleased with this year’s draft class, are you not? So there’s at least some reason to believe Murray’s staff is better at evaluating talent than a fan, however hardcore we may be.
We are not comparing Murray to other GMs. We are comparing his opinion to yours, and the justifications for each, since you are criticizing his decisions.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
Murray and the scouting staff have been watching hockey for years. They made a judgment call that these guys are good enough to be NHLers.
Condra and Greening showed they can play in the NHL, and both of them have skill sets that are good anywhere in the lineup. There’s not the risk there that there is with a guy who can only play top-six minutes or something. These are guys who will be useful players and almost certainly outperform the average fourth liner.
Silver Seven: the Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators blogs.
if
they were guaranteed to be useful in a bottom six role, and almost certainly outperform an average 4th liner, i would say these contracts were fair.
You don’t know, neither does GMBM, after 30 games whether these guys are going to be useful players, or outperform an average 4th liner.
He had the opportunity to do a 2 way deal, or at least a 2 way deal in the first year (much like Potulny just signed) to further evaluate whether theses guys had it or not.
by DontfeedtheBelak on Jul 6, 2011 9:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Let's call a spade a spade here....
A more accurate statement of your argument would be basically that you don’t trust Murray’s judgement of players.
Does it make any sense
to hand out one way NHL contracts to any AHLers?
Is there any justification for that?
I don’t know that two way contracts motivate a person more, but I do know that Condra, Greening, Smith, and Butler aren’t proven NHLers at this point, and may be no more NHL viable in their roles next year than any of our other prospects that are either high end (1st round picks, Silfverberg) or have paid their dues and have improved in the pros (Obrien, Daugavins, and Wick, though Wick paid his dues overseas) or wildcards, like Petersson and Hoffman, who have topsix talent and may surprise some one in Sept.
The concept is a simple one: you sign NHL players to NHL contracts, and borderline fringe AHL players to two way contracts. 29 other NHL teams have this grasp.Do you think GMBM is ahead of the curve here?
Maybe he’s discovered New Coke.
In academia,you have to do six years on tenure-track, then get reviewed, before getting tenure. Why hand out tenure nonchalantly?
by DontfeedtheBelak on Jul 6, 2011 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions
OK, so you don't know that two-way contracts motivate a person more, so we can dismiss that part
i have some problems with the rest of your argument:
1) Hand out one way NHL contracts to any AHLers?
Your opinion of Condra, et al. is based on a lot less information than what Bryan Murray and his staff have. You thinking they’re AHL players doesn’t make them AHL players, because:
2) You sign NHL players to NHL contracts
How does one prove they’re an NHL player without playing in the NHL? Is this not, specifically, the opportunities Conda, et al. are being given?
3) Players who have “paid their dues” are somehow closer to “proven NHLers” than Condra, et al.
If playing a lot of AHL games makes players more worthy to play in the NHL, guys like Corey Locke and Ryan Keller would have made NHL clubs long before they signed with Ottawa.
I agree with what you’re saying conceptually—it doesn’t make sense to build a team of fringe talent. I’m just not clear on how you can have such strong convictions in knowing who on the team is a fringe talent and who isn’t, especially considering how few games they’ve played.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
you think
25-30 games at the end of your first or second pro year makes you an NHLer?
You think Murray and his staff have more information than me? They should. How did it work out in their decision to sign Lee to a one way prematurely? Winchester? Regin?
Did I ever mention Locke or Keller? Do you really class Duagavins, Wick, Obrien, and the other prospects in that vein?
convictions in knowing who on the team is a fringe talent and who isn’t, especially considering how few games they’ve played
take that point and ask GMBM
why do you think GMBM has strong convictions that they are NHLers given how few games theyve played.
well?
by DontfeedtheBelak on Jul 6, 2011 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions
You continue to miss the point
You think 25-30 games at the end of your first or second pro year makes you an NHLer?
Nope, didn’t claim this anywhere.
Did I ever mention Locke or Keller? Do you really class Duagavins, Wick, Obrien, and the other prospects in that vein?
Nope, I don’t, and didn’t compare those players anywhere. Your claim was that players who had “paid their dues” were somehow more deserving of play in the NHL. Locke and Keller are two of many examples disproving this claim.
why do you think GMBM has strong convictions that they are NHLers given how few games theyve played.
I don’t view short-term, low-dollar (relatively… I’d kill to make 600K next year) contracts as “strong conviction that they are NHLers”. I view them as opportunities to prove that they are. We’re not locked in to Condra until 2025 if he doesn’t make it as an NHL player.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
a one way contract
says Murray thinks these boys are NHLers. especially when two way contracts after ELC deals can be had, see above. especially with the small sample size. In 30 or less games, he is making a call. The man who claimed Brian Lee was ready, and Winchester was ready, and Gonchar and Kovalev were value adds, is telling you that he thinks the glorious unprovens are ready for full time NHL duty.
He has a staff, so I guess that makes him right.
Milbury had a staff on the Island, too.
by DontfeedtheBelak on Jul 6, 2011 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Again, Milbury is irrelevant
What you view as a call, I view as an opportunity.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
the same opportunity would
be there on two way contracts.
All things being equal, the best of Obrien, Wick, Daugavins, the 2011 first and second rounders, would be contractually on equal ground with Condra, Smith, and Greening. Then the deserving guys would most dfn be here as opposed to having contracts play a role in who was here and who was in Bingo.
by DontfeedtheBelak on Jul 6, 2011 9:32 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree
Murray and staff obviously feel differently. They seem to believe, based on watching all of those players in the system for years, that Condra, Smith and Greening are more deserving.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
Logjam is good
In business, its better to have a parking spot shortage than no parking issue because you have no customers. In this case, if we have excess good players we cannot send down, we’ll just trade them.
But you are assuming that the new guys won’t be good enough to stick. What if the vets are not good enough? You’ll have the same problem won’t you?
Does the parking analogy make sense here? I need some food.
I think there's an equal flaw in assuming we'll have excess good players here
As DFTB points out, we may have nothing but fourth-liners.
I think it might be more fair to say that a logjam could be good—if our kids pan out.
The law of averages says some will and some won’t, so I’m OK with the signings so far.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
I haven't made any leaps of logic
I’m not the one evaluating players by different standards or claiming prospects have a better future than others.
Are you blindly going to look at the points
I didn’t do this. In fact, I suggested Spezza’s play has improved because of his “PK/physical play”. You countered this with the statement “Spezza was a 90 point guy”. I’m simply pointing out that your standards of evaluation for “noticeable step down in play” appear to have been arbitrarily picked to support the theory, rather than any kind of factual analysis — claiming Fisher “was decidedly less physical”, for example, is simply an opinion (one I disagree with) and cannot be used as a supporting fact when attempting to prove a point. I did not suggest to “just look at points, dude” anywhere, so claiming that I made that argument is a complete falsehood.
Here is the point: there is no guarantee that Condra/Greening/Smith, or Wick/Butler/2011 first rounders, or Obrien/Daugavins/Capporrusso, deserve to be on the Sens 2011-2012 squad, or similar, better, or worse than Winchester
I agree. In fact, there’s no guarantee of anything ever, so that’s a really dubious thing to base any argument on. More importantly, it has nothing to do with the progression of Silfverberg, Puempel, Noesen, Prince, Zibanejad, or any other prospect—which, as far as I can tell, is the reason you don’t care for the one-way contracts.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
you did state
fishers best year with the Sens was 2010 with his 53 points.
Do you think that year was better than 2007? Why?
You don’t think the physical play tolled on Fisher, in his supposed ‘best year ever’?
First 54 g 41 pts 59 blocks 169 hits +13
Last 25 g 12 pts 21 blocks 40 hits -12
I looked up what you perceive to be his best year. Go look up 2007 and tell me how you think it compares. Show me that he broke down as the year goes on, and slowed up like he did at times this year, in Ottawa, and in Nashville.
by DontfeedtheBelak on Jul 6, 2011 8:38 PM EDT up reply actions
One year after
Zmith and Condra are signed to two-year deals, so it’s not like they’re going to take up a roster spot for very long if they don’t work out.
You’re also presuming that any of the Silfverbergs, Peumpels, Noesons, Princes, and Zibs waiting in the wings will be ready next year, and it’s entirely possible none of them will—although more likely one or two will be ready.
And if one or two are ready, we have the contracts of Winchester, Konopka, Da Costa, Foligno, and Regin all expiring after this upcoming season.
The Senators have very little locked up long term.
Silver Seven | Twitter | Facebook | E-mail | eBay
by Peter Raaymakers on Jul 6, 2011 6:55 PM EDT up reply actions
and it’s entirely possible none of them will
Take that good point you just made.
And apply it to Condra, Greening, and Butler. Maybe even Smith, even though he has had more NHL games under his belt.
Regin had a full NHL season and looked good, and then didn’t. |Winchester, too, was a questionable call to sign one way. Condra and Greening and Smith and Butler have done even less at this stage. How many borderline third line/fourth line/ 13th forwards do you want to risk having on one way contracts?
by DontfeedtheBelak on Jul 6, 2011 7:27 PM EDT up reply actions
And some will, maybe
You have a good point there. But I would still give these guys one way contracts just to give them a sense of commitment. Ottawa’s current total cap with 20 players signed is UNDER $48 mil and its doubtful the next three will bump it much higher, especially if they end up trading a Kuba or a vet (ok it might be a wash with someone coming in). So, BM has lots of giggle/error room methinks.
1-ways probably not a big deal
I agree that generally you don’t sign unproven guys to 1-way contracts. Who knows why BM did that, probably only him.
That said, impact is probably not big…
You’re worried that they’ll lose the fire in their bellies…. I think anyone riding the bus in the minors probably will be motivated to play in the NHL even if they’ve got a million bucks coming their way in the next year or two. Guys play their whole life dreaming of the NHL, so the roster spot is going to be more of a motivation to them than the $.
Actually, I think the guaranteed money actually helps here, in that if the play drops off like you said, you identify quickly a guy who’s in it only for the money and promptly trade him. I’d rather find that out during a rebuilding year rather than a contending one.
As for clogging up the roster, if other prospects outshine these guys with 1-ways before their contracts are up, yes Melnyk loses money, but I don’t think we care that these guys are out of our system – they’re bottom 6 guys and having them drop off the bottom end of our talent pool is a problem we’d like to have.
they’re bottom 6 guys
I agree (even though I think Condra, Smith can add value to the PK, and Butler may be top six),
but I don’t agree handing out contracts to bottom six guys, one way. These guys have shown little but promise, and while i was happy with them in their tryouts last year, i think the situation warrants their second contract being two way.
by DontfeedtheBelak on Jul 6, 2011 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions
I think most people expected that these guys should have had 2-way contracts
I’m just saying it’s not the end of the world, and that it’s not going to spoil these guys.
Winchester and Konopka’s are 1 year contracts, and Regin/Foligno/Da Costa are RFAs after this year, so there’s lots of open spots for 12-13 season.
BM hasn’t said why he decided or was forced to go 1-way with them, but there must have been some reason.
I would like to think
there is a good reason.
But, for all his drafting prowess,
he said Meszaros was too rich for his blood, and then resigned his replacements (Kuba, Picard) for more money combined. Saying Volchenkov was too much of an investment, but giving Phillips an overpriced retirement contract the following spring. The abomination of the Heatley deal. And, most relevant to this case, signing Winchester, Lee, and maybe even Regin (I think Foligno deserved one way, because of his NHL tenure at the time) with the hopes they would become legit NHLers.
Now, we have a nice problem: in the next couple of years, some of the crop of prospects and picks should be NHL ready, for topsix some, but more for bottom six, duty. However, past decisions are clogging up spots.
I am on board with his draft picks. Really like Zibanejad, Puempel, Noesen, and Prince, even if Noesen was a reach. Rundblad, Karlsson, Cowen, Weircioch, Gryba, all really like, and obviously Lehner.
I just don’t know what the plan is with the forwards. We clearly have three 4th line centers in Kenopka, Smith, and Winchester. Maybe even Regin is in there, but 2 of these guys could hopefully play some topsix minutes. It is also muddled in the wing, because I feel GMBM has guaranteed spots to Butler, Greening, Condra, even though there is the possibility Daugavins et al. may have a great camp.
I am all for the next year, maybe two, being about the youth. I just, clearly, would rather people earn their NHL contracts instead of being given their ticket to ride. We have so many borderline, NHL third line fourth line forwards, it seems backwards to hand out guaranteed contracts to a few of them.
by DontfeedtheBelak on Jul 6, 2011 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t see any problem with the Winchester and Regin contracts. Both were fine moves as Regin showed great promise (and I still think he’s going to rebound), and Winchester is a fine fourth line player.
The Lee one was pretty silly, though.
But again, having one-way contracts does not mean players are guaranteed spots.
Silver Seven: the Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators blogs.
Why are Lee and Winchester
in the NHL?
Its technically guaranteed money, and not a guaranteed spot. But if push came to shove, if two guys were similar, most GMs, even Murray, would use contract status as a possible tie-break.
Winchester is more average to middling, i would hardly say he is a fine 4th line player.
by DontfeedtheBelak on Jul 6, 2011 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Not perfect
I think we have to remember that Murray doesn’t have to be perfect, He cannot bat a 100%, not even 50%. How many drafted players make it as a long term nhler? 15%? Even less? Pretty low. Is he better than that low average?
He must be doing okay. He has been a GM for a while now and enough teams had hired him over the years.
Now Mulberry, sheesh. Why is even doling out wisdom on CBC except for the entertainment factor?
by whatsinaname on Jul 6, 2011 10:16 PM EDT up reply actions
In defense of Lee
There’s a fanpost talking about Lee here.
Lee hasn’t lived up to the expectations from a #9 draft pick, but he’s certainly not the worst defenseman in the NHL.
Where's the issue?
I like the signing. At 625k it’s not exactly an issue to get rid of him, plus I’d say that he was consistent enough that the 2nd year probably just saves the team money. And as stated above, depth is never a bad thing and having a guy or two sit keeps the competition for jobs anyway.
by Pmoron on Jul 6, 2011 6:09 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I agree
I just want to see the best roster put out. If they aren’t playing up to par, then let them make the same amount of money in Bingo. I don’t have to pay them, ergo, I dont care that he got a one way deal (now that I fully understand the ramifications of that). And two years is low, low risk. There’s so many forward prospects waiting in the wings that competition is high. If he shows nothing by 2013, then wish him luck and send him packing. Competition is good. And those of your who are fans of capitalism, will understand that that will only benefit the team going forward.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHbj53fZx2Y
Murray's team is set
There are 12 forwards signed. Butler will be signed next to yet another one way. If Z-Bad & Filatov make the team, that will be 15 forwards. You have to think one of either Regin, Neil, Jesse or even one of the newly signed would be traded before the season starts.
Maybe the one way contracts is to give the kids a vote of confidence. But more importantly, its a signal to people like Foligno, Regin, Winchester, Neil and Michalek to step up because there are new players management is confident can get the job done if the vets are not up to it.
The newly signed will have no problem being motivated, one way or not.
well
I don’t think he will, because of the logjam of one way contracts.
Thank god GM BM is prevented from signing one ways on ELCs!
by DontfeedtheBelak on Jul 6, 2011 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Murray thinks so
Before the draft, BM & company kept talking about the 6th draft being someone who can step into the NHL right away. They mentioned that they felt a couple of the five players they invited to Ottawa were NHL ready and they talked highly of Z-Bad. Having played against adults in Sweden has to prepare him as well. Of course BM qualified his earlier comments by saying the players would not be rushed. Not to knock North American 18 year olds, but if you listen to Z in interviews, he’s definitely more mature mentally.
I thought the “can step into the NHL right away” comments were when the Sens were picking at 2nd overall. I thought afterwards it changed to “a real good player”.
Silver Seven: the Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators blogs.
It changed, but it was more like "could possibly have an impact right away"
Essentially a bit more open.
by B_T on Jul 6, 2011 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions
I swear there was something about him being ready in a year or two
But not right away
Oh Captain, my Captain!
I’m pretty much assuming he won’t. Based on some of the write-ups from development camp I’m guessing he’s not ready. I’m hoping he isn’t so this would give management a year to set lines and figure out exactly who’s ready and where they sit.
by Pmoron on Jul 6, 2011 6:44 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I don't know if I doubt it
He seems to have the size already, at least. But I get the sense that he’s only cracking the roster if he’s really ready, like Karlsson two years back.
I’m skeptical that he’d be ready to play day one, so I bet he does one more year in the SEL… though I’d bet that by the second half of the year, he’d be ready.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
Nope
I’d be surprised if he did, and to be honest, I think an extra year in a lesser league—whether that’s in Sweden or in Binghamton—would be better for him.
Silver Seven | Twitter | Facebook | E-mail | eBay
by Peter Raaymakers on Jul 6, 2011 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed
I think that Zib could theoretically make the team if all goes well for him, but I expect the Senators will send him back to the SEL.
Silver Seven: the Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators blogs.
SEL seems best
He does have another year on his SEL contract left but that can be eliminated if the makes the Sens roster come training camp…Is this also the case if he only plays in Bingo I feel he will have a better chance to make the impact we’re expecting from him in 2 years
Looks like you have company
Bryan Murray’s comments from the Sens “senate reform” (cough) videos sounded to me like he was leaving the door/incentive in place for Zib to compete for a spot, but that it wasn’t expected that he’s in the lineup this year.
My bet is he isn’t on the regular lineup at the start of the season, but maybe towards the end after the inevitable gutting of the roster at the trade deadline, if his SEL team lets him come over after their season ends.
I'm with you
Not that I doubt it. I just don’t think it’s a great idea. Give Da Costa a crack at being second line center, then Regin. Or whoever earns it, really. But shouldn’t Zibanejad be going back to Sweden early a-la Silfverberg?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHbj53fZx2Y
BINGO
Took a long time to read all the back & forth arguments in this post, but this is the comment I was looking for!
One way contracts that aren’t high value are 100% a signal to the ‘established’ NHLers of Foligno, Regin, Winchester, Michalek, Neil that they must perform. That there roster positions are not set in stone. Having 12 forwards under contract for the big club along with some 2-way, signals to each and every player that they must earn their spot on the team. With all the D-men on the club there isn’t room to carry 15 forwards.
Most of the players being discussed have not met the minimum in games played and therefore are exempt to wavier rules if they are demoted. Not ideal to have $600-$800K playing in AHL, but it would not be the first time it happened.
Not too worried about any of the one-ways. Players & Salary will be moved to make room for the performers. This is a team that is going to struggle to generate any offense. Having some extra bodies to put in place of those that struggle is not a bad thing. Keeps everyone motivated game in and game out to know 2 or 3 guys will be sitting out every game.
Well that cap hit surprises me
I wonder what the difference between Condra and Greening was to justify such a substantial difference in salaries? I mean… $200k doesn’t seem like much in a league where multi-million contracts are tossed around, but it’s a big deal to these guys.
Silver Seven | Twitter | Facebook | E-mail | eBay
by Peter Raaymakers on Jul 6, 2011 6:30 PM EDT reply actions
Smarter, Taller and Bigger
Greening gets paid more because he went to Cornel (vs Notre Dame), is taller and heavier, 6’ 2" 21o lbs vs 6’ 0" & 202 lbs……NOT.
Actually, I got nothing.
Greening has a better nickname
Soylent > AnaCondra
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
Brilliant! I love it!
It’s people! Soylent Green is made out of people!
by Pmoron on Jul 6, 2011 6:53 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
It doesn’t seem like a good way to run the business, does it? It’s not like that 200k is a cap issue and if you want to save then I’d be signing Greening to 600k a year. Though if Greening gets 1 year maybe it balances out. Just like a lot of players who take less money per year for a longer term and more money in the long run.
by Pmoron on Jul 6, 2011 6:50 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I don't think it's bad for business
It’s not like Condra didn’t know the deal that Greening signed. There must have been an argument presented, and it must have convinced both Condra and his agent. I just want to know what it is.
Silver Seven | Twitter | Facebook | E-mail | eBay
by Peter Raaymakers on Jul 6, 2011 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions
I honestly think size has a lot to do with it (or maybe Greening’s performance at the Sens’ Skills Competition? Ha!).
Condra had pretty similar NHL stats and a far better playoff. I thought the contracts would be near identical.
Silver Seven: the Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators blogs.
The discrepancy
in salary b/w Condra, Greening, and Smith is inexplicable. The reasoning would have to be intricate and convoluted.
Then again, one way contracts to every one and their brother (or Calder Cup teammate) is equally inexplicable.
I wonder if GMBM has ever tried to sign a 1-way Entry Contract……he seems to have a hankering for it.
by DontfeedtheBelak on Jul 6, 2011 7:42 PM EDT up reply actions
He needs a new gimmick since he can't give NTCs to everyone
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
That is funny
though i fear there may be some small truth in that
by DontfeedtheBelak on Jul 6, 2011 8:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Better agent?
Or is it just that Greening has a better agent. Or is it that Condra is just happy to get a one way and will settle for anything.
First Post
Hey guys,
Just wanted to say I’ve been following the site for forever. Born and raised in Ottawa, ended up moving to LA as a musician – not a lot of hockey followers here. Actually lets me know what’s going on with the sens! Comments are also way too amusing during most of the games.
Anyway, pumped for the rebuild. Feels like a breath of fresh air after a few too many years of having no idea how good the team is.
Keep it up!
Hey, welcome to the site!
We’re glad to have you.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
Awesome, welcome!
Join us during games this season, the more, the merrier.
Silver Seven | Twitter | Facebook | E-mail | eBay
by Peter Raaymakers on Jul 6, 2011 7:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Hooray
SoCal membership +1. (I’m in San Diego)
There are definitely hockey followers down here, as much of the population is transplanted… especially a lot of Bruins fans at my local sports bar (dunno why).
FYI, the Canadian Consulate usually organizes a few hockey events down here each season, usually Kings or Ducks games when Canadian teams visit. Last year it was a kings-leafs game followed by a “private” post-game Q&A with Brian Burke. Let me just say the questions proved that the transplants don’t exclude knucklehead Leafs fans :)
Thanks!
Luckily the ducks have lost every time I’ve seen them :)
Also glad I’m allowed to like San Jose again, though I was looking forward to going to the games in a Sens Jersey and just being a general nuisance.
by PatrickConlon on Jul 7, 2011 12:13 AM EDT up reply actions
Hi Patrick ANAconDRAlon!
what! we are on a roll with the name thing. Aren’t we?
Prior to this reading his blog
I called Condra the ConMan. It’s compact. But I get the appeal of AnaCondra. Soylent for Greening is a bit of a stretch. But I’ll differ to authority.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHbj53fZx2Y
If you have better nicknames, throw them out there
The worst that can happen is that they don’t stick, like the abomination “King Lehner”
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
Seriously
It can’t hold a candle to the nickname we’ve given him, Robi-Wan Lehnobi.
Silver Seven | Twitter | Facebook | E-mail | eBay
by Peter Raaymakers on Jul 6, 2011 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions
I will keep throwing it there anyway! For ever and ever!
An Ottawa Senators supporter in Toronto, Ontario. I am cool like that.
No one refers to Kings by their family name
Give it up. King Robin maybe. King Lehner is like talking about Her Majesty Queen Windsor in Right of Canada.
Oh Captain, my Captain!
Fine King Robin it is!
I will not give it up! I REFUSE!
An Ottawa Senators supporter in Toronto, Ontario. I am cool like that.
Lehner's catch phrase must be "NONE SHALL PASS"
That would make him The Black Knight :-)
by anothersensfan on Jul 8, 2011 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah well there is already a Drago character some where!
An Ottawa Senators supporter in Toronto, Ontario. I am cool like that.
Yes, and Lehner looks just like him
And Drago is one of the most badass men to ever live.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
But he appears in crappy fiction!
An Ottawa Senators supporter in Toronto, Ontario. I am cool like that.
I'll keep that in mind
Not saying I have better ones, just ones I have arrived at independently. My personal favorite nickname is, unfortunately, for Brian Lee. I call him The Adverb.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHbj53fZx2Y
My favourite is still Kuba's
“Fucking Kuba”
by The Tif on Jul 6, 2011 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Hahahahahahahahahha
Pause…..hahahahahahahahahhahaha
by whatsinaname on Jul 6, 2011 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Of note:
The qualifying offer which was tendered to Condra would have offered him a higher NHL salary than the deal he ended up signing. Negligibly so, but still.
Silver Seven | Twitter | Facebook | E-mail | eBay
by Peter Raaymakers on Jul 6, 2011 9:40 PM EDT reply actions
I believe we did
To avoid going to arbitration, if I remember the rules correctly.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
Yep, Garrioch also said today if we can't come to terms with Butler
That he’ll play on a 2-way qualifying offer.
An Ottawa Senators supporter in Toronto, Ontario. I am cool like that.
Devil's in the detail
So, I guess more money but 2 way? versus less $ for one way. I’ll go for less cash. Planes and 5 star in Ottawa to bus rides and cheap hotels/motels in Bing.
That’s interesting. Butler’s the best scorer of the lot.
Probably why he's taking the longest
He’s looking for scorer’s money, and Murray’s looking at the small sample size
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
Too many one ways
I figured this one way was coming to Condra. I really like Condra and Greening, and at the same time I have a problem handing them one way contracts when there are so many other possibilities that may be better for this team at the beginning of the year. I count 14 guys under contract including Filatov. Maybe BM has some moves up his sleeve.
And it’s disappointing that Silfverberg is heading across the pond for another year of NON-NHL hockey, which will not help his development.
I don't think it's fair to say "non-NHL" hockey doesn't help development
It’s worked for both Alfie and Rundblad, and Karlsson made the NHL as a rookie despite only playing “non-NHL hockey”.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
Top six PF potential
I didn’t mean “non-NHL” hockey doesn’t help development in general… It sure does for guys who need that kind of development and they aren’t ready.
I just meant specifically with Silfverberg. After seeing him, I just don’t see how another year of that style will help him develop what he has already developed.
Perhaps I am overoptomistic but I see him as first line power forward potential. I think his talents and his upside are being underestimated. I can’t wait to see him play with top players in the fast hard hitting NHL style environment.
I am okay with this deal, although initially I was shocked at the amount of one-ways we have given before placing Butler on a one-way.
I though that would be the first one!
My inexperience with the business side of the NHL doesn’t help me see the pros and cons of all the one ways from the business side of things.
What’s good about them though is that they are short and cheap and a testiment to what is expect of each of those players. The Senators organization is known for treating their players well, and even though a few think these contracts are hindering competition or that the players may tone down their play, I will have to disagree. The “one-way” portion of these contracts is the reward for their development so far. The term of the contracts is telling them that they HAVE to prove why they deserve to stay in the long term plans of the team. By long term I mean beyond their contract lengths or even next season.
Worst case, they flop and get sent back. Seeing as the Sens are far from filling their cap space, this is not an issue. The guys in Bingo will play extra hard for their chance to come in for someone who is injured or someone who disappoints. At the same time, they know BM will take them seriously and reward them if they do well.
by Los Blancos Chicca on Jul 7, 2011 9:51 AM EDT reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Silver Seven
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Rangers, Devils back at MSG for pivotal Game 5; NHL 13 screenshots (Playoff Puck Previews)
- CBC announces ‘While the Men Watch Hockey Night,’ sets off backlash over sexism
- Eulogy: Remembering the 2011-12 Phoenix Coyotes
- Alain Vigneault signs extension with Vancouver Canucks because he’s excellent
- Dubinsky returns for Game 5; No hearing for Brown; Spacek rips Habs (Puck Headlines)
Latest stories and headlines from NHL.com
- Dubinsky, Prust back in Rangers lineup for Game 5
- Dubinsky, Prust return to Rangers lineup for Game 5 of East finals vs. Devils
- St. John's IceCaps optimistic for future despite being knocked out of playoffs
- Jackets sign Dorsett to three-year deal
- Columbus Blue Jackets sign NHL penalty minutes leader Derek Dorsett to a 3-year contract
