Milan Jurcina and Brooks Laich, both restricted free agents, have elected to take the team to arbitration, meaning that in each case, both sides will lay out their case before an impartial third party who will then decide the compensation for the player (that is, of course, unless the team and the player agree to a deal beforehand).Given the salaries we've seen this past week and what Jerky and Laich have accomplished to date as NHLers, what do you think they're worth?
Update: About.com has a great explainer on how the process works, including this:
The evidence that can be used in arbitration cases:Evidence that is not admissible:
- The player's "overall performance" including statistics in all previous seasons.
- Injuries, illnesses and the number of games played.
- The player's length of service with the team and in the NHL.
- The player's "overall contribution" to the team's success or failure.
- The player's "special qualities of leadership or public appeal."
- The performance and salary of any player alleged to be "comparable" to the player in the dispute.
- The salary and performance of a player who signed a contract as an unrestricted free agent.
- Testimonials, video and media reports.
- The financial state of the team.
- The salary cap and the state of the team's payroll.
10 comments:
Laich should be careful. If he wins the Caps might just walk away...
Jurcina definitely deserves a raise. Dunno what the Caps' offer was... but if it was over $700k and he opted for arbitration, Milan needs to get his head checked.
Laich? I'd likely load the contract with incentives (behind the league-standard raise) to see if he can consistently perform in the manner of which we've seen fleeting glimpses.
But that's Gary the Caps Fan saying that. After the past few days' transactions, I'm feeling unusually encouraged that the Caps are moving in the right direction.
These boys should suck it up, commit to the long-haul, and earn a little more than last year. Play hard, win some games, earn more scratch after that "career season" they hope they're gonna' have.
That said, I completely agree w/ Tyler. Laich isn't in a position to gamble with a spot on any NHL team.
Tyler - I tend to agree, but how much of a "win" can a guy who scored 8 goals and added 10 assist in 73 games have? He made $666,710 last year. I can't see an award for more than $850,000, and that's on the crazy side of things.
Gary - under the current CBA, only players age 35 and up (I believe) and guys on their rookie contracts are eligible for any incentives, so Laich's contract can't have any.
Jurcina, btw, made $550,000 last year.
I can't see an award north of $750K. What is he thinking?! There must be something we don't know, but uh, what?
1) More than likely both will sign before the process. Of the two, Jurcina would seem to be the one who the Caps may want to sign to a multi year deal at a reasonable salary.
2) As for Laich, he should be happy with a one way deal at about the league minimum. How hard would it be to find a replacement for his 8 goals?
I think Laich does a good job as a checking line guy and has the potential to become a sort of Princess player.
I think Princess - Muffins - Princess v2.0 would be a great checking line.
Or Brash - Suts - Pv2.0
Muffins = Gordon ?
Gary,
I don't think the Caps did anything but qualify Laich and Jurcina. The two players probably opted for it simply because this is the deadline to do so, and they want to have that option in case. This is more of an indicator that they think they're worth more than their qualifying raise. Most likely, they'll be signed before arbitration. That's what happened last year.
NS, yes, Muffins = Gordon. I think JP started that, but I can't recall the etymology.
Also, Alzner = Cookie
Peerless started it, as Kolzig had referred to Gordo's shots from the point as "throwing muffins."
Great nickname, imo.
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