Posts Tagged Nic Antropov
Some Numbers Just Don’t Add Up
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News on July 22nd, 2009
Every free agent period there are always going to be some head scratchers, either for dollar value, length of contract or both. There’s not need to go over Hossa’s, Gionta’s, Cammallari’s or Antropov’s contact again, but let’s take a look at 2 recent signings that I don’t understand. Before I get to these signings let me make a couple quick points.
NHL GMs are falling into the trap of giving higher dollar figures to young players based on potential. They are overpaying players knowing that they won’t get true value yet. Players don’t earn contracts like they use to. With having a salary cap, (especially next season when it is suppose to down a lot) it’s going to cause problems for a lot of teams. Also, a young players salary/contract does not seem to decrease if they don’t produce but there is some potential. This brings us to 2 signings I’d like to comment on. Tomas Plekanec and Denis Grebeshkov.
Tomas Plekanec just re-signed with the Montreal Canadiens for 1 year at $2.75. Now $2.75 million isn’t a huge number, and Tomas can be a decent player, but the problem I have is that he received almost a $1 million raise. Last year he made $1.8 million. Here’s a quick look at his numbers the last 4 years, and will someone then please justify why he received a big raise after he recorded 30 less points:
| GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | |
| 2008-09 | 80 | 20 | 19 | 39 | -9 |
| 2007-08 | 81 | 29 | 40 | 69 | +15 |
| 2006-07 | 81 | 20 | 47 | 47 | +10 |
| 2005-06 | 67 | 9 | 29 | 29 | +4 |
Denis Grebeshkov re-signed with the Edmonton Oilers, a 1 year deal worth $3.15 million, a nice healthy raise from the $1.5 million he made in 2008-09. Grebeshkov had a solid season in 2008-09, recording 39 points (7 goals and 32 assists) and was +12 in 72 games. The 25 year old now has 63 points in 176 games, that’s 24 points in 104 games entering last season. I just don’t see how 1 decent season should justify a jump up to $3.15 million.
How many years in the future will these guys (and countless others) be paid on what they might do, compared to what they do? If they put up numbers that are not as high has this past season, will they take a pay cut? I doubt it, the NHL doesn’t work that way. Maybe they’ll sign a 12 year deal, those are the new fad lately.
Nic Antropov seeking 5Mil???
Posted by Derek in NHL Free Agents, NHL News on June 29th, 2009
Reports out of New York (Larry Brooks, New York Post) that Nic Antropov‘s agent, none other than Mark Gandler himself, is looking for a long-term deal for at least 5 million per season.
Glen Sather is quoted “Based on the first volley from [agent] Mark Gandler, there is a slim chance [of Antropov returning],” the general manager said following the fifth round of the Entry Draft. “There’s a snowball’s chance in hell that’s going to happen. It’s ridiculous. I hate to criticize an agent, but let’s have a little bit of reality here.”
For those not familiar with Mr. Gandler, he was the agent responsible for the ridiculous career choices of Alexei Yashin. After 3 separate holdouts (for more money) on his contract with the Ottawa Senators in 5 years, there was a full year wasted in 1999-2000 after being suspended for not reporting and honouring his contract. This marked the end of Yashin’s time in Ottawa, and on draft day, 2001, Yashin was sent to the New York Islanders for defenceman Zdeno Chára, forward Bill Muckalt and the second overall draft selection, which the Senators used to draft highly-touted centerman Jason Spezza. Islanders’ GM Mike Milbury promptly re-signed Yashin to an enormous 10-year, $87.5 million USD contract.
The final 4 years of the contract would be bought out in 2006-07 after another playoff loss in the first round , with Yashin held pointless in the 5 games. Amazingly, Yashin’s agent, Mark Gandler, claimed that his client was keen on a return to Ottawa once his contract had been bought out by the Islanders. “It’s a new chapter and we’ll be calling Ottawa for sure,” Gandler was quoted in the Ottawa Sun as saying, adding “He’d love to return to Ottawa, in fact.” However, the Senators showed little to no interest in bringing Yashin back into the fold, and Gandler was subsequently “not happy with” contract offers from various NHL teams, resulting in threats of his client returning to Russia to resume his hockey career, where he plays today.
This is the cross-roads Nic Antropov is standing at today. Surely he can see for himself that this request is absurd for 28 goals with 59 points and a -14 player who has spent a large part of his career injured. Playing hardball is a slippery slope and with most GM’s anticipating a reduced salary cap on the horizon, Antropov should look to the past to see his possible future.
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