So.....Tiki Barber, he of minimal NFL accomplishments, yet long on NFL acclaim, decided that having an affair with a 23 year old intern while his wife was pregnant was a lifestyle/career move that he could live with.
The fallout has been swift, with NBC booting him from Football Night in America (Or as it's more commonly known "Dan and Keith talk while Tony Dungy adds anything remotely interesting and about football" and the Today Show. Which makes sense, as their demographic is ladies at home during the day. Probably not going to go over well.
But, as noted by Jeff Pearlman at si.com, he will undoubtedly be rewarded for this behaviour with multiple mulligans due to his affable personality and sporting powress.
This is different than Tiger. The NFL wasn't radically changed by Tiki. The NFL doesn't need Tiki. Attendance and viewers don't drop off the face of the earth when Tiki isn't involved. Elin wasn't 8 months pregnant with twins. Ok, that last part doesn't matter.
But Tiger can afford to pay his divorce debt. Tiki, apparently can't.
So, the old adage that your grandma always told you is true I guess.....Don't have an illicit affair with the 23 yr old intern if you can't afford to lose the job that you met her at and still pay off the multi-million dollar divorce settlement to your wife who was pregnant at home with your twins.
JGK
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
UFC 116
One of my goals with this blog is to raise awareness and acceptance of the joys of gambling. How I plan to do this is through education. This Saturday night is UFC 116, Shane Carwin vs Brock Lesnar.
The money line on the fight is Carwin(+125) Lesnar(-155). This means if you bet $100 on Carwin you win $125 or or it means you have to wager $155 on Lesnar to win $100. In bettor's terms you lay 55 with Lesnor or take 25 with Carwin.
In real life this fight is as close to a pick'em as you get. If someone tells you they KNOW who will win this fight they're an asshole (probably wearing a fight shirt). In Vegas life if you bet 100 on Lesnar you can win about 60 but if you bet 100 on Carwin you can win 125. That's 2:1 odds, why the discrepancy if the fight is so close?
Because, and this is important:
The line isn't a predictor of outcome in the fight but instead an indicator of where the action is falling.
It works like "ask the audience" on Who Wants to be a Millionaire. Reggis Philbin(the line) asks every sports bettor in Vegas, who then pick A. Lesnar or B. Carwin by placing wagers. Two thirds of the audience choose A one third B. In order to even the action on both sides (ensuring the house wins) Carwin is given 2:1 odds on the money line. This can happen sometimes because biases not related to the fight cause casual bettors to make irrational bets.
ie: Lesnar was in the WWE before joining the UFC and is one of the UFC's biggest names. Carwin despite having more proffesional fights and a better record is a relatively lesser known fighter. Casual fans recognize Lesnar's name but don't recognize Carwin's. They assume Lesnar is better and choose A because they've never heard of B.
I don't have a clue who will win this weekend's fight but I do know the smart money is on Carwin.
The more you know.
The money line on the fight is Carwin(+125) Lesnar(-155). This means if you bet $100 on Carwin you win $125 or or it means you have to wager $155 on Lesnar to win $100. In bettor's terms you lay 55 with Lesnor or take 25 with Carwin.
In real life this fight is as close to a pick'em as you get. If someone tells you they KNOW who will win this fight they're an asshole (probably wearing a fight shirt). In Vegas life if you bet 100 on Lesnar you can win about 60 but if you bet 100 on Carwin you can win 125. That's 2:1 odds, why the discrepancy if the fight is so close?
Because, and this is important:
The line isn't a predictor of outcome in the fight but instead an indicator of where the action is falling.
It works like "ask the audience" on Who Wants to be a Millionaire. Reggis Philbin(the line) asks every sports bettor in Vegas, who then pick A. Lesnar or B. Carwin by placing wagers. Two thirds of the audience choose A one third B. In order to even the action on both sides (ensuring the house wins) Carwin is given 2:1 odds on the money line. This can happen sometimes because biases not related to the fight cause casual bettors to make irrational bets.
ie: Lesnar was in the WWE before joining the UFC and is one of the UFC's biggest names. Carwin despite having more proffesional fights and a better record is a relatively lesser known fighter. Casual fans recognize Lesnar's name but don't recognize Carwin's. They assume Lesnar is better and choose A because they've never heard of B.
I don't have a clue who will win this weekend's fight but I do know the smart money is on Carwin.
The more you know.
Let them play.
You've read this article before. Maybe not this one but another just like it. Aging star, playing hockey well beyond his prime, should have hung them up years ago, athletes like to go out on top, yada yada yada.
Why do we do this? Why do we care if Mike Modano isn't as good as he was ten years ago but still loves playing hockey? His stat line for last year is 14G 16A -6 in 59GP. Make no doubt about it, he's still good enough to play in the show.
The greatest argument against aging stars is tarnishing their legacy. It's kind of ridiculous to think that his 557 regular season goals(24th all time) and 1359pts(23rd) are tarnished because at 40 yrs old he's "only" a good third line center. If Mike Modano plays again next year it's because he (and who ever signs him) think that he can still help a team win. He's the highest scoring American born player in NHL history and he's not ready to play rec hockey. That should enhance his legacy.
Note: There is one exception courtesy of my friend Mike, when athletes continue to play well past their prime because they wasted their money....that shit is sad.
Why do we do this? Why do we care if Mike Modano isn't as good as he was ten years ago but still loves playing hockey? His stat line for last year is 14G 16A -6 in 59GP. Make no doubt about it, he's still good enough to play in the show.
The greatest argument against aging stars is tarnishing their legacy. It's kind of ridiculous to think that his 557 regular season goals(24th all time) and 1359pts(23rd) are tarnished because at 40 yrs old he's "only" a good third line center. If Mike Modano plays again next year it's because he (and who ever signs him) think that he can still help a team win. He's the highest scoring American born player in NHL history and he's not ready to play rec hockey. That should enhance his legacy.
Note: There is one exception courtesy of my friend Mike, when athletes continue to play well past their prime because they wasted their money....that shit is sad.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Chris Henry's Brain
It's not dominating news coverage but this might just end up being a really big deal. This story is suggesting that it's at possible that Chris Henry could have gotten brain damage from playing football. The kind of brain damage that was found is called Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). Symptoms of CTE are similar to Alzheimer's with the added bonus of
" CTE carries specific neurobehavioral symptoms, Bailes said — typically, failure at personal and business relationships, use of drugs and alcohol, depression and suicide"
Random thoughts on this:
Chris Henry was a shitty dude most his adult life, this must be somewhat comforting to his family.
He was only 26 years and he was a wide receiver (a relatively low contact position). There are thousands of pro, college and even high school kids who have taken more shots to the head than he has.
How long until professional athletes in trouble with the law are using this as a legal defense? Think Mike Tyson, Oj Simpson, Micheal Vick, Ben Rothlesberger, Tito Ortiz
How bad would the effects of collision sports have to be before we stopped playing them?
The Score reminded me today who else was linked to CTE at the time of his death.....Chris Benoit.
I don't know the legitimacy of these findings but it's not a stretch to think banging your head is bad for your brain. This might end up being a big deal.
" CTE carries specific neurobehavioral symptoms, Bailes said — typically, failure at personal and business relationships, use of drugs and alcohol, depression and suicide"
Random thoughts on this:
Chris Henry was a shitty dude most his adult life, this must be somewhat comforting to his family.
He was only 26 years and he was a wide receiver (a relatively low contact position). There are thousands of pro, college and even high school kids who have taken more shots to the head than he has.
How long until professional athletes in trouble with the law are using this as a legal defense? Think Mike Tyson, Oj Simpson, Micheal Vick, Ben Rothlesberger, Tito Ortiz
How bad would the effects of collision sports have to be before we stopped playing them?
The Score reminded me today who else was linked to CTE at the time of his death.....Chris Benoit.
I don't know the legitimacy of these findings but it's not a stretch to think banging your head is bad for your brain. This might end up being a big deal.
Let the record show.
The consensus number one pick in the NHL draft this year was Taylor Hall. Tyler Seguin is basically a year younger, put up similar offensive numbers and could possibly end up being much better than Hall. Let the record show that like the Edmonton Oilers did, I would have drafted Hall with the first pick. He played well at the world juniors, back to back memorial cup MVPs and he plays a little tougher. If Seguin turns into a star, and Hall a bust, I won't be one of the people using hindsight to criticizing the Oiler's pick.
Also let the record show:
I think Micheal Grabner is really fucking speedy. Grabner plus the first round pick is a lot to give up for Ballard, but it's time for the Vancouver Canucks to try to win the cup. I'd do this trade. It could end up being a lighter version of Dallas trading Joe Nieuwendyk to the Calgary for a prospect in 95. As it turns out they traded away Jerome Iginla which is only fine because the Stars won a cup and Nieuwendyke the playoff MVP.
I think the NY Rangers out thought themselves on draft day. They never thought Fowler(projected 4) and Gormley(projected 5) would be there at ten, they looked at the rest of the D men and fell in love with McIlrath. Their drafting history isn't good enough to be making leaps like that. Given McIlrath's pre-draft ranked around 15, I think this was the worst pick of the day. Even if you're going to draft McIlrath have the presence to trade down.
If I were running the Leafs I would have drafted Kirill Kabanov in the third round. He's got lottery talent but dropped to the third round because he's been an asshole all year, dropped by two teams and an agency. Given that historically 26% of picks 61-75 go on to play 100 games in the show (Numbers Game), I'd be inclined to see if the kid learned anything on his fall from grace. Too bad he went to the Islanders and we'll never get to see if he could have turned into anything.
I think that Pittsburgh trading a conditional 7th round pick for the negotiating rights to Hamhuis is the most understated great move of the week. Even if they don't sign Hamhuis, this puts a shit tonne of pressure on Gonchar and his agent.
Hockey or Die pointed it out somewhere and I agree. Erik Gudbranson the third overall pick sounded like a very smart dude for his age. Since I don't really know jack about any of these players that's enough to sway me to thinking that was the best pick at that spot.
I've been slow posting lately but will probably have something hockey related for free agency, check back later in the week.
Also let the record show:
I think Micheal Grabner is really fucking speedy. Grabner plus the first round pick is a lot to give up for Ballard, but it's time for the Vancouver Canucks to try to win the cup. I'd do this trade. It could end up being a lighter version of Dallas trading Joe Nieuwendyk to the Calgary for a prospect in 95. As it turns out they traded away Jerome Iginla which is only fine because the Stars won a cup and Nieuwendyke the playoff MVP.
I think the NY Rangers out thought themselves on draft day. They never thought Fowler(projected 4) and Gormley(projected 5) would be there at ten, they looked at the rest of the D men and fell in love with McIlrath. Their drafting history isn't good enough to be making leaps like that. Given McIlrath's pre-draft ranked around 15, I think this was the worst pick of the day. Even if you're going to draft McIlrath have the presence to trade down.
If I were running the Leafs I would have drafted Kirill Kabanov in the third round. He's got lottery talent but dropped to the third round because he's been an asshole all year, dropped by two teams and an agency. Given that historically 26% of picks 61-75 go on to play 100 games in the show (Numbers Game), I'd be inclined to see if the kid learned anything on his fall from grace. Too bad he went to the Islanders and we'll never get to see if he could have turned into anything.
I think that Pittsburgh trading a conditional 7th round pick for the negotiating rights to Hamhuis is the most understated great move of the week. Even if they don't sign Hamhuis, this puts a shit tonne of pressure on Gonchar and his agent.
Hockey or Die pointed it out somewhere and I agree. Erik Gudbranson the third overall pick sounded like a very smart dude for his age. Since I don't really know jack about any of these players that's enough to sway me to thinking that was the best pick at that spot.
I've been slow posting lately but will probably have something hockey related for free agency, check back later in the week.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Baseball Brawls
The buzz around Victoria this weekend is the bench clearing brawl at the Victoria Seals Game (minor league baseball). For kicks I threw "hockey Brawl ECHL" into you tube as a point of comparison and this is what came up.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Halak Deal
Wow, a little surprising. Halak to the blues. You can't judge a deal like this today but early indications point to police cars being tipped over in Montreal. Two questions come to mind, how badly are the fans in Montreal going to hate on Price if he starts out slow? And who the fuck are these guys? Here and Here.
Facts and Opinions.....
It blows my mind that there are forums out there for every Aaron, Marty and Gord to spout off about things that come into their head.
It is even more unbelieveable that someone might even read them. And care about them. Enough to comment on them. On the internet where everyone can see. This isn't an email string that will die a quick, painless death in someone's "Deleted" folder. This is eternity.
So, if you put something on there, you'd better believe in what you are saying.
Here goes nothing:
Tiger Woods; He should not have to give his wife $750,000,000 because he banged a few more women than he should have. She was a nanny before she met him. Ok, I'll give you that she very well may have been the worlds hottest nanny, but that entitles her to $5,000,000 tops. Add in the public humiliation and ridicule, say another $5,000,000 worth. That's $10,000,000. Take your money and be happy he didn't decide to look after it a "different" way.
Also, he doesn't owe anyone an explanation. He should get a "face-or-gut" shot on any of the scabs who called him out. Guess what Jesper? You're making about 1/3 of what you're making now without him. The proper answer to that question was "C'mon guys, you know I can't say anything about that!"
NBA basketball; You guys are a joke. 2 months to play a post-season? Gimme a break.
I guess, you need 3 days in between games to let the ex-players who have since been annointed "experts" by ESPN to spout off in what is often unintelligible english about the importance of playing with "energy". I have heard Mike and Mike get 3.5 of their alotted 4hrs in the morning doing strictly "Kobe vs. MJ". Of course, that's after Lebron was eliminated. Before that, it was All Lebron, All The Time. No wonder these guys are Superstars. You pump their tires to the point of bursting, then hope for scoop on the aftermath. No one can possibly care that much about basketball. No one.
World Cup; Quit bitching about the vuvuzelas (sic?). It's like having a world-wide event in Sasky and having Uganda tell us we need to quit wearing watermelons on our heads. It is their custom, it is their country and it is their choice to piss away their chance to promote their game, their people and their country. It's only approx. 3 billion people watching. Surely South Africa can afford that. Right?
That's all for the facts, next time, I'll give you some opinions........
JGK
It is even more unbelieveable that someone might even read them. And care about them. Enough to comment on them. On the internet where everyone can see. This isn't an email string that will die a quick, painless death in someone's "Deleted" folder. This is eternity.
So, if you put something on there, you'd better believe in what you are saying.
Here goes nothing:
Tiger Woods; He should not have to give his wife $750,000,000 because he banged a few more women than he should have. She was a nanny before she met him. Ok, I'll give you that she very well may have been the worlds hottest nanny, but that entitles her to $5,000,000 tops. Add in the public humiliation and ridicule, say another $5,000,000 worth. That's $10,000,000. Take your money and be happy he didn't decide to look after it a "different" way.
Also, he doesn't owe anyone an explanation. He should get a "face-or-gut" shot on any of the scabs who called him out. Guess what Jesper? You're making about 1/3 of what you're making now without him. The proper answer to that question was "C'mon guys, you know I can't say anything about that!"
NBA basketball; You guys are a joke. 2 months to play a post-season? Gimme a break.
I guess, you need 3 days in between games to let the ex-players who have since been annointed "experts" by ESPN to spout off in what is often unintelligible english about the importance of playing with "energy". I have heard Mike and Mike get 3.5 of their alotted 4hrs in the morning doing strictly "Kobe vs. MJ". Of course, that's after Lebron was eliminated. Before that, it was All Lebron, All The Time. No wonder these guys are Superstars. You pump their tires to the point of bursting, then hope for scoop on the aftermath. No one can possibly care that much about basketball. No one.
World Cup; Quit bitching about the vuvuzelas (sic?). It's like having a world-wide event in Sasky and having Uganda tell us we need to quit wearing watermelons on our heads. It is their custom, it is their country and it is their choice to piss away their chance to promote their game, their people and their country. It's only approx. 3 billion people watching. Surely South Africa can afford that. Right?
That's all for the facts, next time, I'll give you some opinions........
JGK
Bud Selig and Steroids
Bud Selig has been the Acting Commissioner/Commissioner of Major League Baseball since 1992, including the labor stoppage of 1994 that led to the cancellation of the World Series. After 2004 fans were slow to come back to baseball in many markets. Then something magical happened, balls started jumping out of the park, HR after HR after HR and fans couldn't get enough. In 1961 Roger Marris set a single season record with 61 HRs. Between 1961 and 1990 two players hit more than 50 HRs including no one in the 1980's. Then between 1995-2005 that feat was accomplished 19 times. Rogger Marris's 61 HRs was bested 6 times, lastly by Barry Bonds with 73 in 2001.
Only it wasn't magic. On January 20th 2004 George W Bush delivered his fourth State of the Union Address. Hidden in the War on Terror propaganda was a peculiar paragraph:
The use of performance-enhancing drugs like steroids in baseball, football, and other sports is dangerous, and it sends the wrong message - that there are shortcuts to accomplishment, and that performance is more important than character. So tonight I call on team owners, union representatives, coaches, and players to take the lead, to send the right signal, to get tough, and to get rid of steroids now.
I remember at the time it was written off by experts as George being George, not so strange considering he was the owner of the Texas Rangers from 89-98. In 2005 Jose Canseco wrote a shameless tell all novel about steroids in baseball, naming some of the biggest names including himself. I'm no historian but this is basically what got the ball rolling on steroids.
At first names like Roger Clemens and Barry bonds were shocking but they just kept pouring in. (Alex Rodriguez, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmero, Andy Petite, Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz) Baseball fans are now skeptical of every player. An entire generation of baseball is tainted. As well as it's most prized asset; it's record book.
Baseball and Bud Selig have vilified prominent players linked to steroids. In 2007 Barry Bonds led the league in on base percentage (.480) but he couldn't find a job in 2008. He even offered to play for free. Teams claimed he was a cancer in the clubhouse and not one team was willing to take a chance on him. But the truth is lesser players with larger problems get second and third chances all the time. This was league wide collusion. He and other players became scapegoats for the era when the problem seems lager than a few all stars.
Over 120 players have been at least loosely connected to performance enhancing drugs and the number is likely way higher than that. In 1995 Brady Anderson hit 16 HRs then followed it up with 50 HRs in 1996. Barry Bond's head grew six hat sizes. Everyone knew something was going on. George W. Bush (6 years removed from baseball) seemed to know but the Commissioner didn't?. It just seem unlikely to me. Either way, at this pay rate shouldn't you be somewhat accountable for the actions of your company.
Only it wasn't magic. On January 20th 2004 George W Bush delivered his fourth State of the Union Address. Hidden in the War on Terror propaganda was a peculiar paragraph:
The use of performance-enhancing drugs like steroids in baseball, football, and other sports is dangerous, and it sends the wrong message - that there are shortcuts to accomplishment, and that performance is more important than character. So tonight I call on team owners, union representatives, coaches, and players to take the lead, to send the right signal, to get tough, and to get rid of steroids now.
I remember at the time it was written off by experts as George being George, not so strange considering he was the owner of the Texas Rangers from 89-98. In 2005 Jose Canseco wrote a shameless tell all novel about steroids in baseball, naming some of the biggest names including himself. I'm no historian but this is basically what got the ball rolling on steroids.
At first names like Roger Clemens and Barry bonds were shocking but they just kept pouring in. (Alex Rodriguez, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmero, Andy Petite, Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz) Baseball fans are now skeptical of every player. An entire generation of baseball is tainted. As well as it's most prized asset; it's record book.
Baseball and Bud Selig have vilified prominent players linked to steroids. In 2007 Barry Bonds led the league in on base percentage (.480) but he couldn't find a job in 2008. He even offered to play for free. Teams claimed he was a cancer in the clubhouse and not one team was willing to take a chance on him. But the truth is lesser players with larger problems get second and third chances all the time. This was league wide collusion. He and other players became scapegoats for the era when the problem seems lager than a few all stars.
Over 120 players have been at least loosely connected to performance enhancing drugs and the number is likely way higher than that. In 1995 Brady Anderson hit 16 HRs then followed it up with 50 HRs in 1996. Barry Bond's head grew six hat sizes. Everyone knew something was going on. George W. Bush (6 years removed from baseball) seemed to know but the Commissioner didn't?. It just seem unlikely to me. Either way, at this pay rate shouldn't you be somewhat accountable for the actions of your company.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
World Cup
As a sports blogger it would be timely to post on the World Cup, but I just can't speak intelligently about futball. So in case you've never seen it, here is a soccer player biting another player's balls instead. Enjoy!
Monday, June 14, 2010
A blog worth reading?
Check out ESPN's Pierre LeBrun's Blog from Monday morning. Then skip back to my Sunday night post. Not a bad start!
I'm Dumber for Having Read This
Sometimes advertisers make commercials that are intentionally annoying because they are memorable. I'm wondering if that is the case with Jim Kelly's latest article. I'm not sure if it's the worst thing I've ever read but I'm not sure it isn't either. The comment section at the bottom does an adequate job of of ripping it apart. (with the exception of one comment I'm not convinced Kelly didn't post himself).
My "favorite" line is:
The Los Angeles Kings, a big-market that has been adrift almost since the days of Marcel Dionne
Yeah almost, except for the Wayne Fucken Gretzky era, I don't know if you've heard of him, he was pretty good at hockey and sort of popular.
My "favorite" line is:
The Los Angeles Kings, a big-market that has been adrift almost since the days of Marcel Dionne
Yeah almost, except for the Wayne Fucken Gretzky era, I don't know if you've heard of him, he was pretty good at hockey and sort of popular.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
2010 NHL Free Agency Preview
The NHL playoffs are done and as most of Canada could care less about the Jays, it's time to get outside. Before you do let's have a look at this years NHL free agency class. Lists are a tool generally reserved for shitty bloggers who can't articulate ideas in a structured form. With no further adieu here is my list of stuff to look out for in 2010-11 NHL offseason.
1. Free agents - a quick Google gives me this list of free agents courtesy of Sports City. The two biggest names are Marleau and Kovalchuk. You have to think one of them ends up with the Kings. They're this year's Chicago, young and talented with available cap room due to entry level deals. I think the 8 year sixty two million dollar front end loaded deal Hossa signed last year is a good comparison. Less money than they could make else where but a real shot at a cup.
2. My favorite sleeper pick in this year's free agency class is Paul Kariya. He's been a favorite of mine since we cried together following the 94 Olympics (at the same time, not actually in the same room). If his time is done in St. Louis (and I have no idea if it is) I think he would fit in very well with the Penguins in a Satan/Guerin mold of washed up wingers trying to extend they're careers alongside Malkin or The Kid.
3. I have a feeling that who ever signs Lee Stempniak is going to regret it, since getting paid by the Blues for scoring 27 goals in 06-07 he's had 18 good games, they just happened to be his last 18 game this year. (14G, 4A) Anything over 2 mil is too much and he's probably going to get a raise on the 3.5 mil he's currently getting.
4. Players like Luongo, Hossa, Savard are signing ridiculously long term front end loaded deals as a way to get their money and provide their team with financial flexibility. This doesn't impress the NHL but it seems a year later they're not actually going to do anything about it. Essentially a 28 year old player sings a 10 year deal for 10 million for the first 6years and 1 million for the last 4 years. The total value of the contract is 64 million with a cap hit of 6.4 million a year. If the player retires in 4 years, he gets paid 40 million for his time with a cap hit of only 25.6 million and the remainder of his contract comes off the books the day he retires. What's interesting is that if a player is 35 when he signs a long term contract it doesn't come off the books when he retires. That's why the Oilers signing 36 year old Khabibulin to a 4 year contract last year was such a bad idea. That's why you probably shouldn't be elated when your team signs Sergei Gonchar to a 4yr 20 million dollar deal.
5. Every year teams overpay for defencemen who don't put the puck in the net because that's what the market seems to dictate. See: Bouwmeester. This year I think it will be Volchenkov. He blocks shots with his face and truly is a shut down defencemen but if his contract gets over 5 million that's probably too much for a guy who has never scored 20 points.
6. Generally the high end guys signed in free agency need to be super elite player to be worth their weight in the salary cap era, therefore the best bargains in the free agent pool are guys in the middle ground. Guys who play lesser roles on winning teams then price themselves out of town like 2009 Samuelsson. Potential guys in this free agency class include Kyle Wellwood, John Madden, Tomas Holmstrom, Matt Cook, Paul Martin and Willie Mitchell if he's not dead.
All the action starts July 1st, stay tuned.
1. Free agents - a quick Google gives me this list of free agents courtesy of Sports City. The two biggest names are Marleau and Kovalchuk. You have to think one of them ends up with the Kings. They're this year's Chicago, young and talented with available cap room due to entry level deals. I think the 8 year sixty two million dollar front end loaded deal Hossa signed last year is a good comparison. Less money than they could make else where but a real shot at a cup.
2. My favorite sleeper pick in this year's free agency class is Paul Kariya. He's been a favorite of mine since we cried together following the 94 Olympics (at the same time, not actually in the same room). If his time is done in St. Louis (and I have no idea if it is) I think he would fit in very well with the Penguins in a Satan/Guerin mold of washed up wingers trying to extend they're careers alongside Malkin or The Kid.
3. I have a feeling that who ever signs Lee Stempniak is going to regret it, since getting paid by the Blues for scoring 27 goals in 06-07 he's had 18 good games, they just happened to be his last 18 game this year. (14G, 4A) Anything over 2 mil is too much and he's probably going to get a raise on the 3.5 mil he's currently getting.
4. Players like Luongo, Hossa, Savard are signing ridiculously long term front end loaded deals as a way to get their money and provide their team with financial flexibility. This doesn't impress the NHL but it seems a year later they're not actually going to do anything about it. Essentially a 28 year old player sings a 10 year deal for 10 million for the first 6years and 1 million for the last 4 years. The total value of the contract is 64 million with a cap hit of 6.4 million a year. If the player retires in 4 years, he gets paid 40 million for his time with a cap hit of only 25.6 million and the remainder of his contract comes off the books the day he retires. What's interesting is that if a player is 35 when he signs a long term contract it doesn't come off the books when he retires. That's why the Oilers signing 36 year old Khabibulin to a 4 year contract last year was such a bad idea. That's why you probably shouldn't be elated when your team signs Sergei Gonchar to a 4yr 20 million dollar deal.
5. Every year teams overpay for defencemen who don't put the puck in the net because that's what the market seems to dictate. See: Bouwmeester. This year I think it will be Volchenkov. He blocks shots with his face and truly is a shut down defencemen but if his contract gets over 5 million that's probably too much for a guy who has never scored 20 points.
6. Generally the high end guys signed in free agency need to be super elite player to be worth their weight in the salary cap era, therefore the best bargains in the free agent pool are guys in the middle ground. Guys who play lesser roles on winning teams then price themselves out of town like 2009 Samuelsson. Potential guys in this free agency class include Kyle Wellwood, John Madden, Tomas Holmstrom, Matt Cook, Paul Martin and Willie Mitchell if he's not dead.
All the action starts July 1st, stay tuned.
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