Christian Hanson and Nikolai Kulemin don't qualify for arbitration based on age, 1st contract...

Christian Hanson and Nikolai Kulemin don't qualify for arbitration based on age, 1st contract signing, years pro.

Kevin McGran confirms that these two were not arbitration eligible. This is probably a big reason why Burke is playing such hardball with Kulemin. He literally has no other option if he wants to stay in the NHL which he has stated repeatedly that he does.

This is Burke using all of the leverage that he has to get the Leafs the best deals possible. I approve heartily.

almost 2 years ago PPP 27 comments 1 recs |

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I’ve always seen Kevin McGran when I occasionally pick up the Star from the floor, but he’s a pretty solid sports reporter. I’ll be awaiting the day he gets recruited to the Globe.

Supporter of the Sergei Berezin "Give and Go" - You give me puck, then you go to hell

by bkblades on Jun 28, 2010 11:38 PM EDT reply actions

Burke is awesome……….

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by LeafFan1989 on Jun 28, 2010 11:44 PM EDT reply actions

I agree with you to a point PPP

I like him taking a fairly hard line, but I also like the fact that he is a ’player’s gm’. And I think to engender loyalty he should give Kuleimin a fair deal and not take advantage.

That being said I am not saying give him the bank, or over pay him, or not use his leverage. I am just saying don’t take advantage so that he wants to leave the second he can. Its all about a balancing act in my eyes about not going to either extreme.

by BCapp on Jun 29, 2010 12:05 AM EDT reply actions

Well, I think that he is trying to balance it. If he wanted to just squeeze him he could give him the 10% raise and tell him to take it or leave it.

$2M-$2.5M is pretty generous.

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by PPP on Jun 29, 2010 12:15 AM EDT up reply actions

I hope they end up coming to terms somewhere in the 2.4-2.6 range.

by BCapp on Jun 29, 2010 12:19 AM EDT up reply actions

I think so too, the guy has potential but he has to put up some better numbers if he wants a big raise.

by CamShaft on Jun 29, 2010 1:14 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, rack up that cap space

so we can sign Kovalchuk… even if Behind The Net does think he’s way overrated.

Glory glory Man United, AND the other MU, AAAAnd the Leafs. I think I need a drink now.

by Wan Ihite on Jun 29, 2010 1:10 AM EDT reply actions

ehhh

and this is why I don’t like looking at stats in a bubble.
Kovalchuk is entering free agency at 26 years old, in a year with very few good free agents. He may not be a top 5 talent like many people think (BTN seems to be saying he isn’t) but his price is determined by the market just as much as his talent, I think.

"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky

by Karina on Jun 29, 2010 1:13 AM EDT up reply actions

KOVALCHUK!!!!!!!1!!!one!!

/splurt

I have nothing interesting to say.

by blurr1974 on Jun 29, 2010 1:23 AM EDT up reply actions

this is all the analysis I need!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky

by Karina on Jun 29, 2010 1:38 AM EDT up reply actions

although if we don’t get him, I’m just going to refer to Gabe’s post and say he isn’t that good anyways.

"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky

by Karina on Jun 29, 2010 1:39 AM EDT up reply actions

If we don’t get Kovalchuk then Im going to weep softly until this time next year.

http://bluechipprospects.blogspot.com

by Curt S on Jun 29, 2010 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions

They didn’t address QualTeam on that page at all. If Kovalchuk is the team’s only weapon, it practically necessitates that he get cushy starts. Ovie has Backstrom, Syd has Malkin (even if they don’t play together), Kovalchuk had/has…?

by Bower Power on Jun 29, 2010 1:59 AM EDT up reply actions

Love that this thread devolved so quickly to Kovalchuk.

by Leaf in Habland on Jun 29, 2010 7:46 AM EDT up reply actions

Actually bower

your argument would make him out to be even worse. If he had worse line mates then he should appear BETTER relative to them… according to that BTN chart he is WORSE than his teammates. That’s what the Corsi REL is referring to.

Frankly he looks like a bum from a defensive perspective any way you look at it. The Leafs suck defensively, and he certainly wouldn’t help on that front.

I’m going to go back to hoping the Leafs don’t add anyone significant from free agency.

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."

- Sir Winston Churchill

I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.

by Steve Burtch on Jun 29, 2010 7:52 AM EDT up reply actions

Kovalchuk is one of the top 5 offensive talents in the world and definitely the second best LW.

"if women think they aren’t meant to cook…then why do they have milk and eggs inside them?"

by birky on Jun 29, 2010 8:13 AM EDT up reply actions

I'll agree on the offensive talent

not sure I agree he’s the 2nd best LW in the NHL. Rick Nash is pretty damn good. Henrik Zetterberg is better… Zach Parise could make a case for being better.. . and I think Daniel Sedin is probably better.

Not sure I think Kovalchuk is anywhere’s close to the last 3 as an all around hockey player.

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."

- Sir Winston Churchill

I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.

by Steve Burtch on Jun 29, 2010 9:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Sedin

averages 1.06 ppg over the past 4 years, Zetterberg 1.05 ppg, Kovalchuk averaged 1.07 ppg.

I’d definitely take Sedin or Zetterberg ahead of Kovalchuk considering they’d cost less, and be way more responsible defensively.

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."

- Sir Winston Churchill

I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.

by Steve Burtch on Jun 29, 2010 9:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh and Parise

averages 1.08 ppg over the past 2 seasons (he’s only played 5 years so I think it’s unfair to include the last 4 as a baseline.

Parise is better defensively also.

So again… I’d probably prefer him to Kovalchuk.

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."

- Sir Winston Churchill

I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.

by Steve Burtch on Jun 29, 2010 9:48 PM EDT up reply actions

I’d take Parise.
Zetterberg should be counted as a center, as that is where the Wings use him the most.
And I ask again, how do you think Kovalchuk would compare to D. Sedin if he had Henrik to play with?

"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky

by Karina on Jun 30, 2010 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions

I’d take Parise over Kovy too. Do you think Devils will ever let Parise become available? I mean, until he’s 30+? Unlikely.

Tick Tock, Tomas. Tick Tock.
A drinking team with a hockey problem.

by nhlcheapshot on Jun 30, 2010 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Heh

Burke is really taking a hard stance in negotiations. I have to think this is either a “learned lesson” situation where he’s overpaid players before and regretted it, or (more likely) doesn’t believe in overpaying players who haven’t earned it yet (i.e. placing a lower value on potential than current output).

I also think this has a lot to do with the assistant GM signing (who is considered to be the cap management expert).

He literally has no other option if he wants to stay in the NHL which he has stated repeatedly that he does.

I really hope any KHL talk is a bluff because that would suck. Oh I guess he could also be offer sheeted for over $3m… but if its over the $3.2 or whatever to get a 1st and 3rd then I’ll help him pack.

/don’t forget to pack a sweater it’s cold in edmonton

Tick Tock, Tomas. Tick Tock.
A drinking team with a hockey problem.

by nhlcheapshot on Jun 29, 2010 1:26 AM EDT reply actions

Kulemin

should end up getting around $2.5 or $2.6 mill per year. No arbitration rights means he’s stuck this time around. If he’s smart, he’ll get the thing done and stay happy for a year or two, then come back and prove he deserves big money and make his mint then.

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."

- Sir Winston Churchill

I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.

by Steve Burtch on Jun 29, 2010 7:54 AM EDT up reply actions

After all the uh..digital ink that has been spilled debating Kulemin this seems like the most reasonable outcome. Short term so that we will be able to negotiate another contract while he is still an RFA, if he deserves his raise awesome, if not he’s someone else’s problem.

The Guess Who sucked, the Jets were lousy anyway

by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Jun 29, 2010 8:35 AM EDT up reply actions