The Value Of: Ray Whitney
The Carolina Hurricanes, currently clawing and scratching their way out of the cellar within Eastern Conference, face some tough decisions down the road. From now until March 3rd, one of two things will happen.
Categories: By Teams, Deadline Speculation, Value Of: Tags: Bill Guerin, Cam Ward, Eric Staal, Joe Corvo, Mason Raymond, Matt Cullen, Paul Maurice, Ray Whitney, Rod Brind'Amour, Ryan Kesler
The Seven Million Dollar Man
How does a team know their investment will pay off? Better yet, What would inspire a team to devote a large percentage of their cap space to one single player? This article plans on analyzing the production from “top-tier” forwards based on a seven million dollar cap hit or higher.
As of this writing there are 14 forwards making this salary or higher, with most of these players filling the scorecard adequately. These 14 forwards discussed are Jason Spezza, Joe Thornton, Marian Gaborik, Brad Richards, Sidney Crosby, Jarome Iginla, Alexander Ovechkin, Scott Gomez, Evgeni Malkin, Vincent Lecavalier, Thomas Vanek, Dany Heatley, Chris Drury and Eric Staal.
A quick glance at this list screams Drury and Gomez as the noticeable busts. Coming into a weak free agent year for centers the two cashed in on GM Glen Sather’s ludacris spending. However, a deeper look into their 2009-2010 season makes other players current production look similarly as bad.
In addition, this article will identify the best of the bunch showing exactly if and why the top salaries are actually worth it. Impending free agent Ilya Kovalchuk believes his worth to be 20 percent of the current cap, an enormous 11 plus million cap hit. With his current production, not to mention countless intangibles would you consider the 27-year-old worth it?
Categories: 30 Team Series, Cost Efficiency Tags: Alexander Ovechkin, Brad Richards, Cam Ward, Chris Drury, Dany Heatley, Eric Staal, Evgeni Malkin, Glen Sather, Ilya Kovalchuk, Jarome Iginla, Jason Spezza, Joe Thornton, Marian Gaborik, Paul Maurice, Scott Gomez, Sidney Crosby, Thomas Vanek, Vincent Lecavalier
Trade Rumors: Busy Day in Carolina
TSN’s Bob MacKenzie reported a trade of former first rounders. The last place Carolina Hurricanes moved their most recent first round selection, Phillipe Paradis, to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Jiri Tlusty.
The Hurricanes get an NHL ready player who can be inserted in their lineup immediately. Similar to their deals last year for Jussi Jokinen and Eric Cole the team gets a player who has shown flashes of offensive ability but fallen out of favor with their teams. Considering that Tlusty is only three years removed from his 13th overall selection giving up a young prospect like Paradis does not hurt as much.
Held scoreless in his two games with the Leafs, the 21-year-old put up 15 points in 18 games with their AHL affiliate. In 66 games last year in the A, the Czech native averaged a point per game with the Marlies. At his age, his production at the AHL level translates to the ability to hold a regular shift. Partner that with familiarity with coach Paul Maurice and the youngster should make a seamless transition to the Canes
Categories: By Teams, Carolina Hurricanes, Eastern Conference, Northeast, Southeast, Toronto Maple Leafs Tags: Aaron Ward, Anton Stralman, Bob MacKenzie, Brandon Sutter, Bruce Garrioch, Cam Ward, Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Eric Cole, Eric Staal, Jiri Tlusty, Jussi Jokinen, Kris Russel, Paul Maurice, Philippe Paradis, Toronto Maple Leafs, TSN
