Every free agent period there are always going to be some head scratchers, either for dollar value, length of contract or both. There’s not need to go over Hossa’s, Gionta’s, Cammallari’s or Antropov’s contact again, but let’s take a look at 2 recent signings that I don’t understand. Before I get to these signings let me make a couple quick points.
NHL GMs are falling into the trap of giving higher dollar figures to young players based on potential. They are overpaying players knowing that they won’t get true value yet. Players don’t earn contracts like they use to. With having a salary cap, (especially next season when it is suppose to down a lot) it’s going to cause problems for a lot of teams. Also, a young players salary/contract does not seem to decrease if they don’t produce but there is some potential. This brings us to 2 signings I’d like to comment on. Tomas Plekanec and Denis Grebeshkov.
Tomas Plekanec just re-signed with the Montreal Canadiens for 1 year at $2.75. Now $2.75 million isn’t a huge number, and Tomas can be a decent player, but the problem I have is that he received almost a $1 million raise. Last year he made $1.8 million. Here’s a quick look at his numbers the last 4 years, and will someone then please justify why he received a big raise after he recorded 30 less points:
| GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | |
| 2008-09 | 80 | 20 | 19 | 39 | -9 |
| 2007-08 | 81 | 29 | 40 | 69 | +15 |
| 2006-07 | 81 | 20 | 47 | 47 | +10 |
| 2005-06 | 67 | 9 | 29 | 29 | +4 |
Denis Grebeshkov re-signed with the Edmonton Oilers, a 1 year deal worth $3.15 million, a nice healthy raise from the $1.5 million he made in 2008-09. Grebeshkov had a solid season in 2008-09, recording 39 points (7 goals and 32 assists) and was +12 in 72 games. The 25 year old now has 63 points in 176 games, that’s 24 points in 104 games entering last season. I just don’t see how 1 decent season should justify a jump up to $3.15 million.
How many years in the future will these guys (and countless others) be paid on what they might do, compared to what they do? If they put up numbers that are not as high has this past season, will they take a pay cut? I doubt it, the NHL doesn’t work that way. Maybe they’ll sign a 12 year deal, those are the new fad lately.