Market watch

posted by Mike Boone at 14h57 EST on Jul 26


 Minnesota Wild and Pierre-Marc Bouchard have avoided arbitration – and the Wild have locked up a talented young player who would have been eligible for unrestricted free agency next summer.

Bouchard, 24, has signed a five year, $20.4 million deal that breaks down to  $3.35 million this season, $4.25 million the following three seasons and $4.3 million in 2012-13.

Bouchard scored 11 goals, added 50 assists and made $2.6 million last season.

It is thought that his long-term signing improves the Wild's chances of retaining Marian Gaborik.

• The dollar figures on Marek Svatos's two-year deal in Colorado: $1.75 million this season (very reasonable for a 26-goal scorer) and $2.35 million in 2009-'10.

• Boston made it official today, buying out Glen Murray's $4.15 contract. Doing so reduces the Bruins' cap hit on Murray to $700,000-something this season. He's now a UFA.

 




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Submitted by nightmare_49 on Sun, 07/27/2008 - 06:49.

Oilers Say Goodbye to a Bad Buy .. by Bob Stauffer .. Edmonton Sun ..... http://www.edmontonsun.com/Sports/Oilers/2008/07/26/6271551-sun.html


Submitted by nightmare_49 on Sun, 07/27/2008 - 06:25.

McKeen's Hockey ..... http://mirtle.blogspot.com/


Big Bird's picture
Submitted by Big Bird on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 23:45.

You guys missed a terrific barbecue at Ian's. Great primer for the Summit in October. Well worth the one way drive for 2 1/2 hours. Would do it again in a heartbeat.


Ian G Cobb's picture
Submitted by Ian G Cobb on Sun, 07/27/2008 - 10:32.

Wonderful having you with us Sulemann, friends like you don't come along every day.

And by the way if there is anything I can help you with on the computer, don't hesitate to ask me.!! Joke.!!

Big Bird, can make a computer dance just like Kovalev does with a puck.!


Corporate's picture
Submitted by Corporate on Sun, 07/27/2008 - 08:20.

Feel bad I couldn't go.. and I can't go to the Summit either... I will try to go after the festivities (Bar, Lounge)... Glad you guys had fun and hopefully one day soon I will have the honor of meeting you all... :)

Players win games, teams win championships.
- Bill Taylor


Ian G Cobb's picture
Submitted by Ian G Cobb on Sun, 07/27/2008 - 11:07.

Philip--Dont you live in Montreal? Can you not get to any of the venues that were having? Even the after game get together you could just drop by. Anything I can do to help please ask.

IAN


Corporate's picture
Submitted by Corporate on Mon, 07/28/2008 - 11:15.

Yeah.. but school will be intense this semester... I am taking 5 courses and I work.. LIke I said, I would try to make it to the after festivities.. When you guys name the place, I will try to make it... Would love to meet all the guys that I have great convos with on this site..

Players win games, teams win championships.
- Bill Taylor


Submitted by JIMVINNY on Sun, 07/27/2008 - 04:20.

I would have loved to have been there. Unfortunately, a 40-hour drive each way translates to at least 5 days away from home, which the pregnant wife would not appreciate. Glad you guys had a good time, though.


Ian G Cobb's picture
Submitted by Ian G Cobb on Sun, 07/27/2008 - 10:24.

Glad to see your still having a great time with your wife Jim!

We will meet another day.


T-roy West's picture
Submitted by T-roy West on Sun, 07/27/2008 - 05:42.

Jimvinny: Not to worry, Montreal is coming to Calgary and Edmonton this year so we can have a mini summit of our own. Hopefully we will get enough people interested as I know there are a few from Alberta on this site. :)


Submitted by filincal on Sun, 07/27/2008 - 08:52.

i'm up for one here in calgary or can go to edmonton for one.

I BLEED BLEU BLANC ET ROUGE!!!


T-roy West's picture
Submitted by T-roy West on Sun, 07/27/2008 - 21:53.

Filincal: I'm thinking both sounds good to me.


Ian G Cobb's picture
Submitted by Ian G Cobb on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 19:13.

HABS SUMMIT 2008
MAIN ORGANIZER-IAN
TICKETS OFFICER--- Vicky-Habschick
TOUR ORGANIZER----Stephen Herron
CHARITY officer--CHUCK AND ROBERT L
WEB MASTER----Stephen Herron and Robert L
ACCOMADATIONS---ROB SWEICK
PRE GAME DINNER--Bryan Traynor
AFTER GAME PLACE WITH ROOM,BAR--Bryan Traynor

Summit game will be Oct. 25th vs Ducks

To register for tickets, click on to this link below and follow instructions. Order them ASAP as it is first come first serve. Don't miss out meeting our wonderful HIO community.

http://habssummit.blogspot.com/

Ian


howtathor's picture
Submitted by howtathor on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 18:33.

The suspense is killing me! If this were a chess game we'd need a timer. C'mon Mats, make a move. I need to get a life. For some reason my life on Saturday night seems so much better between October and June.

If you turn on RSN at this moment you'll see the Chicago White Sox and the Detroit Tigers in some super vintage uniforms. Last year the Habs inexplicably pulled the vintage sweater from their repetoire. I think they should do more of that, and get even more vintage like 20's and 30's. You know the Toronto Shamrocks and those awful Senators uniforms, the striped ones!

And maybe we can start a petition to get Anniken Slayd - Drive for 25 played at the Bell Center this year!

Seen Sundin?


gauvinator's picture
Submitted by gauvinator on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 21:29.

Not a big fan of the vintage jerseys. When I go to the few home games that I do, I want to see the red jersey. That's the one I own, the one I wear (Koivu). And, while it could be my TV, I remember I couldn't see their numbers with the old school jerseys.
As for Baseball, those Chicago jerseys are terrible..they look like pyjamas! the Blue Jays wear their baby blues every home Friday and, while it was a novelty at first, it takes away a bit of their "bite." There's a reason (sure, often sales-driven) they change those things!


LeGrosBill's picture
Submitted by LeGrosBill on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 18:57.

Howtathor,

I'm right there with you in the getting-a-life dept. but Mats did say that he was going to decide in August. While I'd like to think RDS has it right and a decision will be made on 08/01/08, its entirely possible we'll have to wait for the Olympics to have come and gone before hearing from the big undecided Swede.

I completely agree with you on the vintage jerseys, especially on home games against original six opponents.

Rgds,
LGB


J.T.'s picture
Submitted by J.T. on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 16:28.

The Bouchard contract is about what I'd expect Pleky to make after this year, provided he continues to improve. And I think it'd be a good deal too.

http://habsloyalist.blogspot.com


LeGrosBill's picture
Submitted by LeGrosBill on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 18:51.

JT,

I was going to diagree with you and say that we'd be very lucky to sign TurtlePlek for what Bouchard signed for. Then I said to myself, I better do some research before disagreeing with someone in my first post od substance. I found that while PMB has consistently averaged 60 pts per season (roughly 15G/25A) for the last 3 seasons, Pleky's points have increased from almost 30 to over 45 to almost 70 in the last 3 years, with almost twice as many goals last year as PMB has averaged the last 3 years.

So I guess I'd stand by my first inclination, especially if #14 cracks the 70 point barrier (and/or 30 goal mark), and say that I think Pleks is going to cost us more.

Then again Maybe BG will convince him to accept less than market value the way he did with BigTits (when compared to what Jeff Carter signed for).

Rgds,
LGB


J.T.'s picture
Submitted by J.T. on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 19:09.

Well, I think there's something to be said for the comfort and loyalty a player feels when he's dealing with his only NHL team. Markov's a great example...he could have gotten considerably more if he'd hit the open market last year. Plekanec strikes me as a reasonable guy who'd consider accepting an average of four + million a year for four or five years. It's not as big as some of the outrageous contracts out there, but it's very generous and fair compensation, and if he's happy and successful with the team that drafted him, perhaps he'll be content to give the fabled hometown discount.

Anyway, I think the massive overpayments are going to stop in the next couple of years because the cap simply cannot continue to rise at the rate it has over the last three seasons. Sooner or later, most likely sooner, the cap will level off and teams are going to be stuck with aging millionaires whose contracts prevent GMs from giving their young players the raises they've earned. There's going to be a big round of buyouts, followed by more reasonable contracts, I think. Gainey's been lucky so far to have his young players accept decent contracts that are somewhat below what players of similar ability are getting elsewhere. Hopefully, that consideration on the part of the team's free agents continues next year when there are so many of them ready to hit the big payday.

http://habsloyalist.blogspot.com


LeGrosBill's picture
Submitted by LeGrosBill on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 19:20.

Plekanec strikes me as reasonable too. Like you I hope he accepts a hometown discount.

Yeah the cap has going to level off, otherwise the bottom half dozen teams in terms of revenue are going to have a REALLY hard time staying afloat. (Unless the Loonie tanks vs. the Greenback, which is unlikely in the next year I think).

Consideration and resonableness from next years UFAs will be very welcome.

Rgds,
LGB


twocents's picture
Submitted by twocents on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 20:43.

Next year, and the following off-season, are going to be a very interesting in terms of contracts, that's guaranteed. If Sundin signs for two years there is no way we can keep everyone that's up for a contract. I think Komisarek is the safest of the bunch and I cannot see Koivu going anywhere. But, one of Kovalev, Plekanec, Higgins or Tanguay will likely not be kept. There are several others who will need new contracts too, including youngsters like Chipchura and Latendresse. For this reason so many players' performances over the coming season will determine Bob Gainey's contract priorities.


eddie 56's picture
Submitted by eddie 56 on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 22:43.

Good post budy. You made me look at things from a completely different angle. But at the same time, now and then you have to make gambles to win stanley cups. If we don't and we have to say goodbye to our budding rookies we will miss our window of opportunity completely by reducing its size. Young talent leave hopeful future becomes spoiled present.

Only fate can now decide the outcome, win or loose prosper or perish. But of course that is the roller coaster of HOCKEY.
Gotta love those Habs.


eddie 56's picture
Submitted by eddie 56 on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 22:49.

So I say go for it. Glory now. With good development and a solid front staff we can accomplish anything. Let us create an environment of success. We are on the rise, In Bob we trust.

Andrei(s) locked up. Pacioretty turned pro.
Gotta love those Habs.


twocents's picture
Submitted by twocents on Sun, 07/27/2008 - 09:37.

That's how I feel, we should seize the moment and make a run. Because of the great job management has done we will have players to replace those that may leave. Pacioretty will be knocking at the door before season's end and Maxwell will be needing a chance too. Who knows who else will shoot up the depth charts by the end of the season. It will push everyone to play to their potential and we will see what each is made of. It's a 'beau' risk.

The great thing is, if he doesn't sign, we are still real contenders with the team we have right now.


Connecticut Man1's picture
Submitted by Connecticut Man1 on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 15:56.

47 tickets requested so far...
Habs Inside/Out Fan Summit 2008
Ducks vs Habs
Saturday, October 25th, 2008
in Montreal


Submitted by secretdragonfly on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 17:19.

Make that 49, woo-hoo!


Connecticut Man1's picture
Submitted by Connecticut Man1 on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 20:13.

We're actually up to 54. I hope we can get this many?


sidhu's picture
Submitted by sidhu on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 15:43.

Murray's production isn't that bad, but definitely not worth $4.15m. My guess is he will sign with either the Kings or Oilers.