- I can't believe I'm about to spend my 450th post talking about the Sabres, but what can you do...
So when Kevin Lowe lost out on Nylander he made what sounded like a somewhat empty threat - he would tender offer sheets to restricted free agents. His rationale is that the Oilers cannot take the ice in the fall with the roster they have right now, and I am inclined to agree with him. Still, I highly doubted that Lowe, up until recently one of the more respected GMs if only for his glorious history as a player, would stoop to Bobby Clarke's thuggish ways.
Boy, was I wrong.
In what some would probably call a desperate move, Lowe presented an offer sheet to Tomas Vanek, Buffalo's young emerging superstar, for a whopping 7-year, $50 million deal. Being no dummy Vanek signed, putting Buffalo in the position of having to match or lose yet another offensive talent from their already depleted roster. Regier, obviously not wanting to see that happen (I'm picturing Slug riots the likes of which you've never seen), will hold a press conference this afternoon to in all likelihood announce that Buffalo will match.
Wow. It's a little ridiculous to me that a) such a huge contract would be offered to someone like Vanek, who while talented is not yet a proven superstar and b) Buffalo would open their wallets for Vanek and not for Drury or Briere. Puzzler, isn't it? So much for these small-market teams not having the cash or cojones to go after those fat contracts...$50 million is nothing to sneeze at.
- The Caps will hold their development camp at KCI next week and all events are open to the public - if I recall correctly, in past years this event has been exiled to Hershey, so if you're around and want to check out some of our young talent make an effort to come out and see them play. That means not only getting your first glimpse of new Caps studs Backstrom and Alzner but also some of the lesser known but equally talented guys in the system like Varlamov, Pokoluk and Werner. If I can swing it I know I'll be there!
Here's the schedule, per Tarik:
Tuesday, July 10 -- Players arrive
Wednesday, July 11 - On ice in two groups beginning at 8:30 a.m.; scrimmage from 4:30 – 6 p.m.
Thursday, July 12 - On ice in two groups beginning at 8:30 a.m.; scrimmage from 4:30 – 6 p.m.
Friday, July 13 - On ice in two groups beginning at 8:30 a.m.; scrimmage from 4:30 – 6 p.m.
Saturday, July 14 - On ice in two groups beginning at 8:30 a.m.; scrimmage from 4:30 – 6 p.m.
Sunday, July 15 -- Players depart
Friday, July 06, 2007
When You're Lowe, You're Low
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5 comments:
What's KCI?
oh, poop, wait, it's Kettler. Sorry.
Show of hands, how many people think Edmonton ain't gonna get much by the start of the season. Count me in.
Also, who think's we're going to see an almost complete change in the teams that make the playoffs this year?
Two things:
1. Buffalo was willing to match Drury's offer from the Rangers. He wanted to sign with NY.
2. The money is better invested in Vanek than Drury OR Briere. Thomas is young but has already had two great seasons. His skills make him a potential game breaker in a way Danny and Chris, who are more reliant on other players, are not. And he'll only be 30 at the end of the 7 years unlike Danny and Chris who would be 36 and 37 respectively.
Don't get me wrong, 7 million is a sick amount for a third year player. But unfortunately that's where the league is going right now. And he is absolutely the guy to be building the team around (along with Miller) even at the loss of Danny and Chris. I'm not convinced the drop-off from last year to this year is going to be that drastic. Will they make the Conference Finals again? Maybe not. But maybe. They still have plenty of talent left.
So, Buffalo wanted a steal in Thomas Vanek... the same numbers as Drury, at half the price!
Now, teams that win the lottery known as the draft can no longer get great players at a discount. That's too bad for them.
If Vanek brings the same goods to the table as does Drury, he should get paid the same. Seems fair to me. Spreads the talent around the league just that much more.
Cammarelli, Lundquist, Parise, Emery... I hope their teams left enough room for their arbitration awards.
Course, there's lots of teams willing to take them off your hands for you.
Which i think has been Lowe's plan all along.
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