Hindsight
Jason Gregor
July 31 2009 11:38AM
Hindsight is a wonderful thing and many of us would look a hell of a lot smarter if we were able to go back in time and change some of our more dubious decisions. Remember that high school picture that you hoped would be quickly forgotten? Remember how you used to dress in those days? Did you think your favorite striped blue shirt would be gazed upon by millions of people on the internet years later when you became a massive celebrity? Looking back, probably not.
Yes, hindsight is often 20/20, particularly when it comes to hairstyles, tattoos and free agent signings.
If we could go back in time, many of us would do things a little differently. Considering what NHL players are signing for these days, you wonder if some teams also wish that they could go back in time and wait until August 1st to sign guys, rather that having made all their moves on July 1st. It’s way easier to say today how money should have been spent than it was a mere 30 days ago. But then again, who am I to talk? I once said that the Oilers won the Pouliot/Jacques for Parise trade right after it happened. Could I have been more right?
When you look at how frugal teams have become in the past few weeks, you can’t help but wonder why so many felt the need to overspend a few weeks ago.
Unrestricted free agents generally get overpaid
It’s a fact. And it isn’t just the Oilers who need to overpay to get a player to come here. Controversial columnist, Larry Brooks wrote on July 26th that the Oilers were being desperate in their need to overpay star players to join the team.
Here’s a snippet of what he wrote:
Don't the Oilers get it? Their city is the last place in North America (other than presumably Ottawa and perhaps Atlanta) that Heatley wants to live, and their team is the last one in the NHL (insert a disclaimer or two) for which he wants to play. Enough already with the bribery and the convincing. The team and the city look more than desperate. They are beginning to appear pathetic with their continued pursuit of the player who for good reason has become hockey's most disdained individual. We know. The Oilers have to overpay in order to entice players of Heatley's on-ice pedigree to come to their city, and that's the reason why Nik Khabibulin was able to get an over-35 contract worth $15 million over four years on July 1.
What I find laughable here is Brooks' suggestion the Oilers have to overpay, because of the City. C'mon Larry - wake the f**k up. In the City that never sleeps all the Rangers seem to do is over pay guys to report to the team.
Scott Gomez gets $7.3 million a year for five years. Chris Drury got $7 million, Wade Redden is a $6.5 million cap hit on the books and injury-prone Marian Gaborik takes home a cool $7.5 million. Larry, do you really think these aren’t overpayments too?
The fact is teams overpay for UFAs all the time, especially in the first few days of July, and normally throughout the summer. But not this year. This year it would seem the well has dried up.
Looking back now...
I wonder if the Habs are re-thinking offering Brian Gionta $5 million a year, when it looks like they could get Alex Tanguay for less than half of that now? Mike Comrie made $4 million last year, and while he struggled with only 10 goals, the three previous seasons he tallied 21, 20 and 30. He turns 29 in September and he’ll probably sign for $1.5 million at the most.
Proven checkers like Mike Peca, Manny Malhotra and Blair Betts are still on the market, and if they get a deal it could be close to $750,000 or less. I spoke with Betts yesterday at a golf tourney and the phone hasn’t been ringing at all lately. He is a proven veteran, who kills penalties and is good in the room, yet no interest. I know the Oilers have too many contracts but signing Betts to a one-year deal for $650,000 wouldn’t hurt. Hell, some veterans might accept two-way deals at this point, just to get to camp. I bet Dominic Moore is regretting not signing the Leafs offer of close to $2 million back in June, because when he signs it will be for half of that.
I think many teams blew their wad in early July, and while they might have interest in a player, they simply have no money left to spend today. One positive should be that fans will see a lot of desperate players playing just to maintain, or get a new contract next year. That should make the dog days of the season a bit more competitive - or at least you would think it would.
Did the Oilers over pay for Khabibulin? You bet they did. But it is hilarious to suggest that it is only cities like Edmonton desperate to overpay players into bring them into the organization. New York City - the "supposed" best city in North America overpays players more often than most.
And they win all the time don't they?
@ Shifty
I agree, why call a press conference to announce that you're not going to do anything.
They could get Prendergast on the radio to confirm that.
Tencer just posted on his Twitter:
Update: Oilers GM Steve Tambellini Conference Call at 3:30pm - will be live on CHED. Expect him to confirm Heatley is no longer an option.
Finally an end to the madness
Shifty203 wrote:
Bang on...wow you must Seacrest....and boys I never had coke bottle glasses...never had goggles until grade 12. I was at a bush party in summer sitting by the fire and some brainiac threw a firecracker in fire...sparks went straight into my eye...weak...
Hemmertime wrote:
The fourth year is the overpayment, but all teams have to do it, that's why I didn't rip it as a horrible deal.
"Tambellini will clarify the details and timelines of the Heatley saga to give some insight into what happened behind the scenes."
jeanshorts wrote:
Woah - I meant no ill will; I like Amber! Maybe I should have added a ;)
That picture could be of a girl though, don't you think?
@ The Menace:
It's fine. I just really wanted to scream at someone and swing a shovel around. And if that gesture of chivalry just happened to land me a date with Amber McCormick I would not be complaining.
And Ryan Seacrest does have very feminine features, just like Wanye.
OIlers presser at 3:30...tune in on TEAM 1260 to listen to it live...
Maybe Jason Gregor or Robin Brownlee, through their contacts with the Oilers, channel a complaint about the Flames cap circumvention on the Kippersoff Contract (Which would result 5M in fine and loss of draft picks)
This was the exact quote from a finnish newspaper, from Kipper's agent:
This is a recent quote from Kiprusoff's agent in a finnish newspaper
"From what I've heard from Miikka, he sees the contract as a four to five year deal. Calgary simply wanted to divide the expenses over longer period of time" "I Think this is Miikkas last contract. I think he has made enough money to keep his bed warm and his beers cold."
It shown to the NHL, and the finnish newspaper is found (or there might be a link via HF search feature), the Flames could be in trouble.
I really hope this press conference doesn't consist of Tambellini tearfully singing 'Unchained Melody'.
My speakers are broken at work, can someone keep me updated. PLEASE :)
Quinn is going to announce that he will be moving Hemsky from center to wing :)
OIlers are officially out of Heatley race...
*sob* Heatley done
Its finally over
someone has their mic on that shouldnt
@ Jason Gregor: Thanks, and it's about damn time.
Jason Gregor wrote:
I wonder who made the final call, us or Heatley?
ya, I forgot its just phone conference. Someone needs to know how to mute themselves lol
Tambellini said...
"He said they hadn't talk much in the past few weeks...He said that the Oilers officially told the Senators they were out this past weekend."
Stauffer phrased that into a softball question
Is this the type of press conferences we should expect throughout the year?
Jason Gregor wrote:
I guess that's better than him giving us the PFO. We gave it to him! (I don't think he cares though)
dyckster wrote:
Great question...I've heard it was Heatley camp...but I doubt we will ever know the truth. I do believe that the Oilers told the Senators they were out this weekend, but Heatley's camp stated he wouldn't come weeks ago.
Dany so immature, you can tell in Tambellini's voice
Sounds like Terry Jones is snacking on the phone.
In other news:
Donair shop owners rejoice...
For some sick reason I was still kinda hoping....
Tambo just basically said that the team we have now is essentially the team we will ice to start the season. That's optimism.
Jason Gregor wrote:
Doh! He/they did give us a PFO! I wonder why The Oil waited so long to spread the news?
If the Esks continue to play like they did last night, maybe we can give the Oilers some slack until late November.
Ender the Dragon wrote:
So no Bertuzzi then? :) I know, I know, consider the subject officially dropped.
Tambo:
"It's a good team. We believe it was a playoff team last year."
Hmmmmmm . . . Really, Tambo?
I need to get drunk now. Depressing
@ Ender the Dragon:
Depends in what league... I am sure they would have beat the AAA Bantam team I coach in a seven game series.
He really didnt lie...lol
ChiliChunk wrote:
HAHAHAHA. Very nice!
@ Curious:
Don't kid yourself, Curious. I have every confidence that the Oilers would sweep that series.
Ender the Dragon wrote:
Get rid of the three goalie monster and MacT and see how O'Sullivan plays once he gets used to his teammates.
I don't know that I disagree with him, the Oil weren't that far out of a spot.
So my question is this. This proclomation that we the team we have is the team we have indicates to me either Tambo can't make any sort of deals, or, they think Mactavish severley underachieved.
But which?
And, you can't threaten the underachieving players with being shipped out if they don't perform, because that's not the case.Where are you gonna ship em? Nobody wants them.
Duke wrote:
Didn't Tambo kinda say the team underachieved last year and that was one of the reasons they moved on from MacT?
Duke wrote:
That's not true. Ottawa wanted our players, Heatley just didn't want to come here. Hope he likes staying in Ottawa.
They where a playoff team last before that horrible streak at the end of the season. In fact before that streak they could of gotten as high sixth. The one thing lacking from this team is consistancy in its effort from game to game. That said I cant imagine there still won't be a trade or two before the season starts.
F*CK YOU DANY HEATLEY! I HATELEY YOU NOW YOU FUTTIN CHUMP!! NOW GO SUCK A GOLF BALL THROUGH A GARDEN HOSE THROUGH THAT GAP IN YOUR TEETH. YOU KNOW YOU WANT IT! SUCK IT YOU SUCKER OF SUCKS!
I guess we will have to wait and see what happens. I dont think they are good enough now, but things can change from now until it is time to play. I am glad they finally announced that they are out of this Heatley business. About three weeks to late but it was time to pull the pin.
@ Harlie: Tell us how you really feel! lol
Curious wrote:
Ya, but its July, not a distraction to your team. Kind of sucks for Smid, Penner, Cogs but otherwise there was no real harm in keeping offer on the table.
The Menace wrote:
Bryan Murray never called inquiring about anyone, least of all Dustin Penner. He was forced into the situation by Heatley, but on any other day he's not interested.
Librarian Mike wrote:
Cant believe I missed this comment, best one of the week!
I can hear the vein in Harlie's head throbbing from here.
So....heatly said. no but the sens want our players???? so what else would they give up for them? what if we add a draft pic and get spezza?
@ Hemmertime:
You are right, they just have to make sure those guys are ok. Hopefully it lights a fire under them and they have something to prove this year on the ice. That would be great