He said someone "in their right mind", TBH. That doesn't remind me of anyone in the Islanders' front office. However, I don't think the DiPietro deal is that horrible. Some of the positives are pointed out in this article, and they include: Cost certainty -- The Islanders know exactly how much their No. 1 goalie will be making for the next 10-15 years. Smart businesses routinely pay an extra price to know numbers far into the future. Flexibility -- If he totally sucks, DiPietro can always be optioned to the AHL, where the dollars don't count against the cap. He might make $4.5M in the minors, but do you think Wang cares? Trade Ease -- Fifteen years looks like a long time, but five years from now, if the Isles suck and some other contender needs a goalie, that $4.5M per might look awfully good, and easy to take on at the deadline. Retirement -- If DiPietro retires, the contract is voided. He could also be bought out at the end. I think it boils down to whether you believe DiPietro is going to become a top 5 goalie or not. I think he will, and I think he'll do it for 10-12 years. If that's the case, this is an extremely good contract for the Islanders.
The thing about the DiPietro contract is not that the per year figure is outrageous, it's that the guaranteed term was completely unnecessary. Was he going to turn down a five-year deal? or a six year deal? What other team was going to offer something similar? He wasn't even a free agent! Of course he'd probably be paid more for less years - but I can't see how a 15 year $67MM deal is better than a 5 year $25MM, or even a 6-year $32MM one. And he's already had the kind of injuries that might come back to haunt them. It's not the money as much as the mobility. The only team that will probably be paying DiPietro regardless of performance is going to be the Islanders. Who's going to trade for that behemoth of a deal? I mean - the best case scenario is that you get a great goalie at about a $1.5 million discount three/four years from now when DiPietro hits the big free agent years. Worst case scenario is that you're a fucking laughingstock with a goalie that you could have probably traded if it weren't for that ridiculous deal. It's not how much Wang can afford as much as you've just completely taken away one of the premier aspects of a quality player: His "trade-ability". And I'm not so sure I can name but a few HoF guys who were a top 5 goalie for a decade. And sure as shit Dipietro isn't in that list.
DiPietro was one of, if not, the best goalie in the East this year. Lundqvist is he only real competition. Sorry Marty lovers. He was still great, but these two were better. To justify the contract Ricky D just needs to win a playoff series or two every few years, which I think he will do. Besides, goalies are head cases. Perhaps stability is the one thing Ricky wanted above all else and thinks stability will improve his game. Who knows, but he wasn't forced to sign the thing and they weren't forced to offer it. Both parties can't be that dumb at the same time, can they? As Mr. Carol Alt and all the nice things Nolan said about him in the last 12 months...wishful thinking and ego coddling doesn't reverse years of self-import. Good for him, though. He'll retire early with a healthy bank account, and leave a legacy of sucking when it matters at the one thing in life he thought he was good at.
The only team that will probably be paying DiPietro regardless of performance is going to be the Islanders. Who's going to trade for that behemoth of a deal? A hell of a lot of teams would pay for that deal in 3-4 years if DiPietro turns out to be a top 5 goalie in the league, but especially a team at the trade deadline looking for a goalie to get them to the Finals. Imagine this scenario (and this takes a big stretch of the imagination, but bear with me): It's the 2009-10 season, and the Maple Leafs are in fourth or fifth in the East. Starting goalie Justin Pogge is just not panning out, however, and a solid netminder would go a long way to getting Toronto past the second round. The Maple Leafs have the dough and the picks, and DiPietro has put up good numbers all season. Why is a trade so hard to imagine? Toronto (or whoever) gets a solid goalie for a decent price -- and has him at a decent price for however long it wants him. It's not like the Leafs wouldn't have the money to pay him at the AHL level a few years later if DiPietro tried to hang on past his prime, or they'd buy him out. Oh, and this season? DiPietro was No. 6 in save percentage at .919 for a pretty crummy team. Hell, I'd take him on that deal right now.
The only team that will probably be paying DiPietro regardless of performance is going to be the Islanders. Who's going to trade for that behemoth of a deal? Wasn't the same argument made about ARod a while back? I think this can backfire on the Isles if DiPietro truly become a top-flight goaltender (==win some playoffs) and his contemporaries start making more than him. Then, the bitching about being underpaid will begin.
In case you missed this link in the lockerroom, check out the "Goalie Goals" table at the bottom. Ricky D keeps some heady company alongside all-star goalies and stalwart team defenses.
You guys are nuts. N-U-T-S. (I mean it in the nicest way you crazy bastards)There is no reason to sign a goalie to a contract like this. This is Charles Wang pulling a Charles Wang. He loves to reward his people with more money then they'd actually get in a marketplace. Overpaying is like a badge of honor with that guy. You're right about DiPietro starting to join the ranks of All-Stars, but the NHL is goalie rich! There are plenty of great goaltenders out there - and it's clear that you don't need a huge expensive proven goaltender to win a Cup. Look at the list of Cup winners in the revamped NHL. Lots of good goalies everywhere (except Raycroft). Some teams have two! And there is a good reason why most pro-sports contracts shy away from 15 year deals. They guarantee money in an industry where performance isn't guarateeable over the same period of time. Geez, hockey players barely have 15 year careers. It's high freaking impact. Much like Yashin, this one probably ends in a buyout. Wasn't the same argument made about ARod a while back? Texas is still paying a large portion of that contract. If the same were to happen to the Islanders, it'd count against the cap, which is obviously not a factor in baseball. It's the 2009-10 season, and the Maple Leafs are in fourth or fifth in the East. Starting goalie Justin Pogge is just not panning out, however, and a solid netminder would go a long way to getting Toronto past the second round. The Maple Leafs have the dough and the picks, and DiPietro has put up good numbers all season. They'd better like him - because they'd be paying him through 2018. Twenty-Eighteen!! Fuck. It would be just like the Leafs to do that, though, wouldn't it? Next thing you're going to tell me that they resigned Antropov and gave him a raise.... Holy shit.
Weedy, I wouldn't argue that the contract length isn't over the top, but at the same time, locking him in at a reasonable per year salary also makes the contract tradeable. Yashin's contract was an albatross to the Islanders, but I don't think this one will be, unless he retires prematurely. And in that scenario the contract is unexplainable.
Now on to more important business: Garf - tell me there is some sense behind signing Nik Antropov? I can't get beyond gritting my teeth.
I think the new NHL is helping him stay healthy. No more racing to the end boards for loose pucks and other stuff that puts his ankles at risk. That or he is finally growing into this 6'6" frame. I'd like to see 70 games a season from him, but he only missed six weeks once his season started. I know I'm being overly optimistic about his health with only 54 games played, but I'm trying to stay positive. A healthy Antropov is a valuable asset; smart, strong on the puck, even a bit nasty at times. He could use a bit more decisiveness and creativity. He isn't the bargain he was last year when he was paid $1m, but $2m isn't ridiculous for a 16 minute top 6 forward. I was hoping JFJ would structure the deal like Lindros' first deal with the Rangers....milestones for games played and points accrued. I was also hoping JFJ would sign that Alexeev fellow who wound up in Chicago to play with Poni and Antro. But we'll have to wait and see about that, and expecting JFJ to turn into a master negotiator over night is foolhardy. Overall I'm glad he is back. He can play first through third line minutes, and in calendar year 2007, his game got better further along into each game. 4 GWGs this year, not to mention assists on winners. That type of character is rare, and is something I want on my team.
Plus it's fun watching him do his 16-wheeled steam engine impression when he tries to accelerate.
Yeah, I think 'lumbering' suits him best. Continuing to look towards next season, THN has the Leafs report up, heralding a need for a back up to push Raycroft (yawn), and winger who can play with Sundin (yawn) and Jeremy Williams possibly making a big impact, ala Wellwood. For a guy who scored on this first NHL shot, and has two goals in two games, his 'touch' is definitely not a problem. We'll see if his size and speed are hindrances.
There is no sense behind the signing of Antropov. He's been a Leaf for what, twenty years now? And what has he ever done? He was pretty reasonable this year, but for a team that really needs to make the playoffs, resigning a reasonable but very injury-prone player for MORE money than you were already paying is stupid. Pus, Antropov takes way too many stupid, lazy penalties. And that makes me angry.
No wheels. That's the issue with Antropov. And they want him to play with Sundin. Yep. That's what 18 goals gets you on this team. A trip to the top line!
If Antro and Poni get someone to play with them, my preference is above, Sundin and Wellwood pick up a FA winger, and Steen, Stajan and Boyd, and Bates, Kilger and Tucker round out the lines eighth is within reach. Oh joy.
