The mystery surrounding the resigning of Restricted Free Agent Ryane Clowe continues. As the summer drags on, no news comes forth about his status. We were led to believe from published reports that he had a "gentelmen's" agreement with Doug Wilson at the end of last season. The only outstanding issue had been length on contract as reported. So what is up? Since no news is good news in this case, what would you do if you were the GM?
What steps would you take to either get him signed or work to move him? You play the GM, tell me what would you do and let's see who come sup with the best idea to submit to Doug Wilson to get things rolling along. Be aware at this point, the Sharks are only looking at 1.3 Million to sign Clowe unless they make some roster moves.
Propose the best idea, and I will send you an autographed Sharks card (my choice) for your effort. Game on...
If I were the GM, my first point of business would be to somehow dump McLaren's salary. If we have to package him with a prospect to do it, then I would like to receive a pick in return, but he really needs to go. That would then leave $3.8 mil in cap space available. Clowe should not get more than Pavelski did, so I think he should only receive a 2 year contract at no more than $1.5 mill. So this would still leave the team $2.3 mill left in cap space. I think that with McLaren gone though, there is a hole that needs to be filled, and I think that will end up being Seminov (hoping that he plays like he did towards the end of the season for the whole season next year) signed for the league minimum, which would put the team at $1.8 mill under the cap.
Great comments! I would have to differ on Semenov and probably bring up a prospect or in my McLaren deal, ask for a 3rd or 4th line stop-gap solution on D until a prospect is ready or a trade is available. Thanks for your perspective!
I think getting Ryane to sign for under 1.3 million isn't a problem. Past our top 7 we don't have great depth at D so I would be hesitant to package McLaren (even at his salary) unless you are getting a top 6 dman back. Clowe had a rough season last year and a lot of people are forgetting the DUI. Mark Bell had a DUI and was traded away. Obviously Ryane admits he made a mistake as everyone does. But if he is "that" kind of person (and who among us knows him well enough to say whether or not he is), as a GM would you want that kind of player in your locker room? That and the fact that he was injured for most of last season complicates things. If he had played a few season it is likely he would have put up numbers which would make him worth more than 1.3 a season. As a GM, I would offer Ryane a 2 or 3 year contract at a little less than 1.3 million. A short contract would give him time to prove whether or not he is worth a more expensive contract.
The only reason I would even consider re-signing Semenov is because he is already familiar with the team. He's been there for a long enough to have built relationships and chemistry with the players, and is comfortable with being the guy in the press box already. If we could get him at the minimum, it would still allow for a little cap space, where trading for a 3rd or 4th line D man would defeat the purpose of unloading salary, since that player would most likely get paid more than the minimum. Plus, he did show some improvement towards the end of the season and maybe under a different set of coaches could get a little better even.
Got your point on Semenov. Very good one, but I have to think that there is someone better out there. Please!? You make a very valid point though. Sharks_12, I see what you are saying about Clowe and his need to prove himself to the staff after a rough season and with the DUI. I do think he proved his value by churning it up during the playoffs. To me, he is kind of a young power forward an I think the sharks need that desperately. We need more bidoes in front of the net. Cheechoo tries hard, but gets knocked around quite a bit. We need a nasty edge there. I think a one year deal in the neighborhood of 1 mil might do the trick. Thank you both for your responses and I will let this run until Friday and then send out the reward booty. Great responses from both of you!