Maybe we're all wrong to be fearing the worst in the Mike Green situation.The Fourth Period claims that the Caps and Don Meehan (founder of Newport Sports Management, the agency representing Green) are talking, but that "there is a major gap between the two parties," and that "Green is believed to be looking for around $3.5 million to $4 million per season."
First of all, while I have no doubt that Don Meehan is involved in the Green negotiations at some level, Craig Oster is Mike Green's agent and the one handling negotiations at last check.
Secondly, you've got to believe that if Green was willing to sign for "around $3.5 million to $4 million per season," it would have been done long ago and on a contract that was as long as the player would accept. One year? Fine - it gives the player a chance to prove that he can continue to develop into an elite defenseman. Thirteen years? Fine - the way the salary cap is rising, that would be a bargain as early as, well, next year.
Finally, there's no way there's "a major gap between the two parties" if that's all Green is looking for. Surely the Caps didn't open negotiations with their best offer, but it's a stretch to think that they went to Green and said, "Here's our offer. Sure, it's less than what we gave Brian Pothier two summers ago when our budget was much tighter, but that's our starting point."
Of course, the National Post today thinks the dollars are going to be in that same neighborhood and notes that Green could be poached, but that the "price to steal Green away from Washington will not come cheap. If a team offers him US $4-million per year, the Capitals would receive a first-round, second-round and third-round draft pick."
No they wouldn't. They'd receive nothing because they'd match that as soon as they finished writing the "Thank You" card to the team that signed him to such a deal.
If Mike Green was willing to sign a deal in the $3.5m - $4m range before July 1, it probably would have been done already. Is it possible that he ends up signing for that? Sure. But it won't happen until he sees what the market has to offer, and since he's been allowed to negotiate with other teams since last Thursday, you can bet that he has an idea of what is - and isn't - out there.
Update: TFP had a typo in their piece. They meant to say $4.5m - $5m.
17 comments:
Meehan is a douche
i already emailed that guy traikos two nights ago, basically explaining that every caps fan (or fan of any other team for that matter) would be thrilled to see him sign a contract like that. And since he took the time to write an article on the subject, i thought he would appreciate a more realistic perspective of the situation, in which he is going to fetch close to 6. hope hes right and im wrong, but i dont think so. havent heard back.
Surely Corey & Tarik have been calling the 21 and 52 agents like mad ever since Friday, right?
if another team sends in low ball offer, we can definitely match and that's case closed? What if that offer is lower than the Caps offer? Could that cause animosity between 52 and GMGM and hurt us in the future? Would anyone care?
i wouldnt care. i want a cup, he should too.
A tangent: does the move by the Bolts to get Malone's rights until July 1 mean that they're getting no where with Prospal?
Anon #2 (really, you guys ought to pick a name)--the Caps only have to match an offer if Green signs that offer sheet. Which means that if Green gets an offer sheet lower than what the Capitals are offering, then he ain't signing it.
Honestly, the only way this writer is correct on the dollar situation is if the Caps and Green can't agree on term. Which still doesn't explain waiting for an offer sheet.
The funny thing is at this point I think 4 million is what he is worth at this point. He may be worth a lot more in 4 seasons so we'll see what happens.
Steve, if he wasn't offered a contract in fee agency as high as whatever the caps have offered/proposed to offer, he would just sign the Caps offer. No money lost.
I am a little surprised that in the second article they said Emery would be the second most attractive free agent goalie after Theodore. Are they serious?
Steve R's question about TBL and Vinny Prospal is a very good one.
I'd want to take a run at Ty Conklin, seriously, if we can't get Huet, and cross fingers. Could be a really good story, too...
Well lookie at that..the 'Bolts hire Ryan Malone's daddy to work for them, then trade for the son's rights, and viola...he signs. NHL owners don't have any sort of anti-trust exemption do they? Cause that would seem to be some sort of tampering or something? Not that I particularly care, I get the feeling they severely overpaid for a 2nd/3rd line forward.
Not to mention that means Prospal (which means 'to oversleep' in Russian, I always thought that was hilarious) must not be willing to go back.
Vinny Prospal can help someone. In fact pretty much anyone (but Torts).
@wittcap: apparently malone's getting between $7-8 mil during the first two years.
seriously folks, if ryan malone is worth anywhere near $7 mil next year, then i'm pretty sure that green is worth at least $10 mil a year. right? this salary inflation thing has got to stop!
I don't think front loaded contracts are a bad idea, necessarily--it's a huge perk for a player; the club has to get some relief in terms of yrs to stretch out the cap hit. Could be something MG is looking for...
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