Sid the Kid delivers
Can't help but be impressed by the Pittsburgh Penguins after this week's fan appreciation move. They already have a rabid fan base, thanks to a run at the Stanley Cup and having two of the most electrifying players in the NHL. But they refuse to rest on their laurels.
Penguins season-ticket holders got a treat this week when their tickets arrived via hand delivery from team stars. Sidney Crosby, Jordan Staal, Marc-Andre Fleury and Brooks Orpik were among the Pens who went door-to-door with the ducats.
"I don't think there are a lot of teams that do this in any sport," Crosby told Penguins.com. "It's a pretty unique thing we do. As players, we appreciate it, and it's a way to kind of give back more on a personal level. I think people appreciate that."
In other hockey news from the day:
*Eric Staal will remain a cornerstone of the Carolina Hurricanes. He will sign a multiyear, big-dollar contract this afternoon. Reports peg the deal at seven years and more than $8 million per year.
I don't know. He's not even the first player I think of with that team. Rod Brind'Amour is more important right now. But, the cap keeps going up, so the money has to be spent somewhere.
*The Canadiens, celebrating their 100th season, will announce today they are retiring Patrick Roy's No. 33. Hall of Famer for sure. One of the best ever without a doubt. But so is Montreal Gazette sportswriter Red Fisher, and one of the most intriguing articles I read last season was his plea in March that the Habs ignore Roy. Make sure you take a look at Red's thoughts here.
*Bruins owner and Buffalo-based Jeremy Jacobs held a town meeting with more than 700 season-ticket holders, who have renewed at a 93 percent rate.
---John Vogl
Good points - thanks for the feedback Chad.
Posted by: Craig | September 12, 2008 at 08:05 PM
"Thanks, Elma."
You're welcome, Botany Boy/Henry.
Posted by: Chad | September 11, 2008 at 11:08 PM
Thanks, Elma.
Posted by: Mike Schopp's Mistress | September 11, 2008 at 09:52 PM
Jacobs will never change his tune. Profits over winning. www.PleaseSellTheBruins.com says it all.
Posted by: Sandra | September 11, 2008 at 07:57 PM
Craig, it's possible that the Staal deal may help Pominville leverage a few more dollars, but I don't think it represents the seismic shift that you're suggesting. Here's why:
1) Staal has won a Stanley Cup. Though Cam Ward took home the hardware, everyone knows who "the guy" was on that team. It was Staal.
2) Staal put up 100 pts at the age of 21. Both have similar numbers over the last two years, but you have to account for that 100 pt season in 2005-06. Pominville had 38 points this season. Like it or not, contracts are more of a measure of what you've done in the past.
3) Staal is two years younger. This contract takes him through his 30th birthday. Pominville is 25. There is a reason why most teams don't give guaranteed money past a player's 30th birthday: production usually falls off at that point. I know you're talking about dollar amount rather than term, but this is still a relevant consideration.
4) Here's the big one. You don't know how far along negotations are between Darcy and Pominville's agent. They may have already agreed on money but are haggling over things like term, amount each year (like how Vanek's was front-loaded), no-trade clauses, and the like. It would be the epitome of bad faith negotiation if the agent went back and said "you know that number we agreed on...well, after seeing that Staal deal, you're going to have to pay us more." Say what you want about agents, but none are going to pull a move like that and commit career suicide by pulling off an accepted offer.
I can't blame you for your article, though. That was my knee-jerk reaction, too. I thought this really ramped up the price quite a bit. Then I looked at the age, accomplishments and numbers of the two and I became less worried. Sure, Pommers may get $6 mil per now instead of $5.5 per, but it's not like this deal just got him $7-$7.5 mil when he was only going to get $5-$6 mil before.
Posted by: Chad | September 11, 2008 at 07:21 PM
The last anecdote in the Roy story trumps everything else. I'd retire his number just for the gift he gave that 10 year old boy. Forget the rest of it--we're all flawed, anyway, right?
Posted by: Geoffrey Anger | September 11, 2008 at 04:11 PM
sorry here's the link:
http://my.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?user_id=10780&post_id=6086
Posted by: Craig | September 11, 2008 at 03:13 PM
John, the Staal deal is bad news for Sabres fans and good news for Jason Pominville and his agent. I break it down in this blog:
http://my.hockeybuzz.com/...ser_id=10780&post_id=6086
Posted by: Craig | September 11, 2008 at 03:09 PM
Montreal should retire Roy's number. He was one of the greats. His one ice accomplishments shouldn't be diminished by his supposed "bipolar" personality. So maybe he won't be named "Coach of the Year". Also when was the last time Montreal won the cup? Oh ya, 1993.
Posted by: cak | September 11, 2008 at 12:49 PM
I hate the Canes as much as the next guy, but we're in no position to call anyone else's uniforms stupid last I checked. We have the worst logo in the NHL and the uniform isn't too hot either.
Posted by: Morning Joe | September 11, 2008 at 12:41 PM
It's Eric not Marc. Marc plays for the Rangers.
Staal hasn't done anything since his rookie year. Here's to seven more years wearing these stupid things.
http://hurricanes.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=381609
Posted by: CanesHater | September 11, 2008 at 12:32 PM